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Battle of the Companion Passes: Southwest vs. JetBlue
Andrew Kunesh is TPG's Points & Miles editor. He has been active in the points and miles space since 2014, using them to travel far and wide around the world. He is originally from Chicago but moved to New York City after graduating from DePaul University. His work is featured on Credit Karma, UpgradedPoints, ValuePenguin and various other travel and finance publications. He currently holds Delta Diamond Medallion and Marriott Titanium status, and 20+ credit cards that each have a special place in Andrew's wallet.
December 17, 2020 • 13 min read
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Quick summary
JetBlue introduced a limited-time companion pass for Mosaic elite members, allowing them to bring a companion on all paid flights through May 20, 2021, including premium Mint business class.
The JetBlue companion pass permits a different companion on each flight, but only applies to paid tickets, not award or Cash + Points bookings.
Southwest's ongoing companion pass allows a set companion to fly free on both paid and award tickets, with the ability to change companions up to three times per year.
Other airlines, including major U.S. and international carriers, offer companion certificates tied to specific spending or cardholder status, typically valid for one flight and subject to taxes and fees.
What to consider
JetBlue's companion pass is only valid for a limited period and requires booking paid fares; adding a companion must be done by phone.
Southwest's pass is valid for the year earned plus the following year, but only one companion can be designated at a time, with limited changes allowed annually.
Most companion certificates from other airlines are restricted to certain routes, fare classes or require payment of taxes and fees.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of companion pass benefits, restrictions and strategies for maximizing value across different airlines.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
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Starting Jan. 1, Mosaic members can bring a companion with them on all JetBlue flights through May 20, 2021. This effectively gives these travelers half-price airfare when traveling with a companion — an excellent deal, especially after the bulk of travelers have stayed at home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Good question, and it's one I'll attempt to answer in this article. Here, I'll give you an overview of each companion pass and discuss their benefits, limitations and other things to know. Then, I'll put them head to head in an epic Battle of The Companion Passes.
Let's dive in!
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An in-depth look at the JetBlue companion pass
JetBlue's new companion pass was a huge surprise to Mosaic elites. (Photo by Markus Mainka/Shutterstock)
JetBlue's Mosaic companion pass was announced in December and came as a huge surprise to JetBlue elites. The limited-time benefit allows all Mosaic members — regardless of how they earned status — to bring a companion with them on all paid flights between Jan. 1 and May 20, 2021.
One of the best parts of the companion pass is that it doesn't need to be the same person on each flight. It can be a different person each time you travel, letting you treat friends and family members to free flights for the first-half of 2021.
Even cooler, you can bring companions with you on JetBlue Mint business class flights. Mint is widely seen as one of the best — if not the best — domestic business class products. This allows you to show your loved ones the joy of flying in a lie-flat seat across the country — something they surely won't forget.
One thing to keep in mind: you have to call JetBlue to add a companion, so call the Mosaic line before you book your next flight.
JetBlue companion pass restrictions
Sounds great, right? It is, but there are a few restrictions to keep in mind.
That said, we've seen some excellent JetBlue fare deals this year. Just this week, we saw the carrier offer Mint business class tickets for $299 one-way and $49 economy tickets. If you're flying with a companion, this means a one-way Mint ticket is just $149 per person, which is an insane deal. Keep an eye out for more deals like this in the future.
Further, you'll earn fewer TrueBlue and Mosaic qualifying points when you bring a companion. Each flyer will earn 50% points on the ticket's base fare. This makes it harder for Mosaic members to earn elite status when flying with a companion.
So while these aren't killer restrictions by any means, they're important to keep in mind as you book JetBlue companion tickets.
Southwest's Companion Pass perk has been around for years. You can use it to take a set companion with you on all of your Southwest flights, regardless of if you book with cash or points.
Your Companion Pass is good for the remainder of the year you earn it and the entirety of the following year. So if you earn a pass in March 2021, it's good through 2022. Try and earn your Companion Pass as early in the year as possible to get the most time to use it.
Southwest Companion Pass restrictions
As discussed, you can only use your Companion Pass with one companion at a time. You'll set this companion online when you first qualify. Thankfully, you can switch your companion three times per year, effectively giving you four companions each year. You can change your companion by calling Southwest.
Only the Companion Pass holder earns Southwest Rapid Rewards points on each ticket. This is because the companion is not technically flying on a paid ticket, hence not earning points. It's also worth noting that neither flyer earns points when the flight is booked with points.
Other than that, the Southwest Companion Pass is relatively straightforward. Just book your tickets as normal, and your companion of choice can travel with you for free.
Now that you have a good look at both the JetBlue and Southwest companion passes, which is best?
On the one hand, the Southwest Companion Pass is great for travelers who fly with the same person on most of their trips. While you can change your companion three times per year, you need to do this strategically to avoid hitting the three change limit.
The Southwest Companion Pass is also best for the award traveler with lots of Rapid Rewards points. Since you can use your Companion Pass on award flights, you're effectively doubling the value of your points. This is especially valuable when you consider the number of points you'll earn as you work to earn the Companion Pass.
The JetBlue companion pass is a completely different animal. It was introduced without notice as a limited-time benefit for Mosaic elite members. It's only good through May 20, 2021, and there's no way to qualify for the pass organically. So even with its restrictions, it's a great unexpected benefit.
In some ways, it's best for single people and those who want to take different friends and family members on flights in early 2021. This is because, again, you can take a different companion with you on all of your JetBlue flight.
Additionally, luxury travelers will appreciate the fact that JetBlue's companion pass works on Mint business class tickets. Southwest doesn't offer a premium product, so there's no way to use it on premium travel.
With all this in mind, I don't think there's a clear winner of the "best" companion pass. One is a limited-time benefit, and the other is an ongoing benefit with clear-cut qualification requirements.
However, in the short-term, I think there's a ton of value to be had from the JetBlue companion pass. Airfare is cheap and the ability to take a different companion with you on each flight is a huge perk. This is especially true considering that you can now fly in Mint at an effective 50% discount.
Southwest and JetBlue aren't the only airlines offering a companion pass. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines British Airways and Delta Air Lines each offer companion pass certificates with their respective cobranded credit cards. These are only good for one flight and are not ongoing benefits.
Here's a look at the specifics.
Alaska Airlines Companion Fare
(Photo by Michael Rosebrock/Shutterstock)
Alaska Airlines famously gives Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card and Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card members an annual Companion Fare.
This fare lets the cardholder bring a companion with them on a single ticket for $121 ($99 plus any taxes and fees on the ticket, which typically start at $22 for a round-trip itinerary). Alaska has offered an introductory fee-free Companion Fare in the past, but it's not currently available.
You can use the certificate to bring a companion with you on an Alaska flight anywhere in the airline's route network. Anyone can use your Companion Fare (even if you're not one of the travelers), but you must pay for the ticket with your Alaska credit card. Like the JetBlue companion pass, you cannot use your Companion Fare on award tickets.
I recommend using the Companion Fare on more expensive flights when possible. This will give you the most value for the certificate and offset the $99 fee (plus taxes) associated with the companion fare.
Barclays Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard — After spending $20,000 in a year, receive a companion certificate that lets you book airfare for a travel companion for just $99 plus taxes and fees.
AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard (not open for new applicants) — After spending $20,000 in a year, receive a companion certificate that lets you book airfare for a travel companion for just $99 plus taxes and fees.
AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard — After spending $30,000 in a year, receive a companion certificate that lets you book airfare for a travel companion for just $99 plus taxes and fees.
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® — After spending $30,000 in a cardmembership year and renew the card, receive a companion certificate that lets you book airfare for a travel companion for just $99 plus taxes and fees. (Account must remain open at least 45 days after account anniversary)
The information for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select, Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard and Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver cards have been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
These certificates are valid on paid round-trip domestic economy class tickets within the continental U.S. on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines. Residents of Alaska and Hawaii can use the companion certificate for flights to the mainland.
Like Alaska, you're best using the certificate on expensive flights to offset the $99 fee.
Current offer: 100,000 bonus Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Unfortunately, you're still responsible for paying the taxes and fees associated with your companion's ticket. British Airways has high fuel surcharges, so you're looking at $1,000+ per person in taxes and fees on a round-trip business class flight. That said, it can still save you a ton of money on expensive flights.
In my opinion, Delta has the most powerful of the three companion certificates.
You can earn a companion certificate by simply holding the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or their business counterparts. You're awarded this companion certificate shortly after you pay the card's annual fee.
The Delta Platinum's companion certificate can be used to bring a companion on any Delta flight in the continental U.S. (or from Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the 48 states) so long as you're flying in the L, U, T, X or V fare class. This limits you to using the certificate on Main Cabin seats.
On the other hand, the Delta Reserve card's certificate can be used on Main Cabin, Comfort+ or First Class flights. This is great for those who prefer life at the front of the plane, and it makes the certificate more valuable if used on a First Class ticket.
One last thing: you're responsible for paying up to $75 in taxes and fees on the companion's fare. That said, you'll generally pay far less than this cap as you're restricted to booking flights within the Lower 48. There is no set redemption fee attached to the Delta companion certificate.
JetBlue's new companion pass perk for Mosaic elite members is an excellent new perk. The timing is unfortunate, but it will undoubtedly help JetBlue stir up travel demand as the industry recovers from the coronavirus travel slump.
The airline's companion pass stacks up nicely to the Southwest Companion Pass even though it's more restricted. As discussed, you can only use it on paid tickets and it's only valid through May 2021. At the same time, though, it's a limited-time benefit that came as a surprise to existing elite members — not an earned benefit like the Southwest Companion Pass.
Regardless, both are an excellent way to save on 2021 travel. As a Mosaic member, I'm excited to take advantage of the benefit in the new year and am already planning trips with my girlfriend, family members and friends.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
