How to Get the Southwest Companion Pass for Just 90,000 Starpoints
Update 1/5/17: Following a change in policy, it is only possible to use hotel transfers to qualify for the Companion Pass through March 31.
See the answers to your most pressing SPG/Marriott Rewards questions in our post-merger Q&A with the heads of both programs.
Very early this morning, Marriott closed its acquisition of Starwood — the combined chains now have a total of 5,700 hotels in 110+ countries around the world. Perhaps even more exciting than the number of properties at which you can earn and redeem rewards are the opportunities that Marriott's new transfer option opens up — particularly when it comes to partners. We'll be digging into the math here over the days to come, but we did want to highlight one opportunity right away: the Southwest Companion Pass.
Given that Starwood doesn't partner with Southwest, this fantastic perk has eluded Starwood Preferred Guests. Marriott is a Southwest partner, however, and since you can now instantly transfer SPG points to Marriott, it's possible to use your Starpoints to earn the Companion Pass. Even more exciting is that with Marriott's Hotel + Air Package option, you can score a week-long hotel stay in addition to the points you need to earn the Companion Pass. TPG used this option to secure a Companion Pass for his parents earlier this year.
Here's how Marriott's packages break down:
So based on the above, 120,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points (10,000 points above the number you need to secure the Companion Pass) plus a seven-night hotel stay will run you 270,000 Marriott Rewards points. Factoring in the 1:3 Starwood:Marriott transfer rate, you'll need just 90,000 Starpoints to secure this award. Those points are worth $2,250 based on our valuations, however you can easily get much more value out of the Companion Pass — not to mention the seven nights at a Category 1-5 Marriott you'll receive as well. Of course, you'll also end up with 120,000 redeemable Southwest points, and those are worth $1,800 based on our valuation.
There are plenty of interesting Category 5 Marriott hotels, too, ranging from the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown (normally $170 per night) to the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit (which starts at $115 per night). Or, you can move up the list for just 10,000 more Starpoints per category.
When should you do it?
You can transfer Starpoints to Marriott and begin the process right away, but it might make sense to hold off a bit. If you wait until early 2017 to "earn" your 120,000 Rapid Rewards points, you'll end up with the Companion Pass for the remainder of 2017 plus all of 2018. That means free flights for your companion for almost 24 months. Incredible! Of course you need to master the timing to get this to work out just right — if you start too early and have the points in your account in late December, your pass will only be valid through the end of 2017.
There's also another reason you might not want to wait. Marriott has confirmed that it doesn't intend to make any changes to partner redemptions without proper warning, but depending on how you interpret Southwest's terms and conditions, a hotel transfer may not actually net you points toward the Companion Pass. Unofficially, these points do count for now, but there's always a chance Southwest could correct the "bug" that's currently making these specific transfers eligible. Though we certainly hope that doesn't happen.
Bottom Line
There seems to be no shortage of good news following this morning's acquisition, and we certainly hope the good times keep rolling. If there's a particular redemption opportunity that makes sense for you right now, it may not hurt to pull the trigger, given that the situation could always change in the future. In the case of the Companion Pass, though, it may be worth the risk to wait until just after the clock strikes midnight on December 31.
Will you be transferring Starpoints to Marriott to earn the Companion Pass?
[card card-name='Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express' card-id='22034660' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.