Southwest makes it easier to change your Companion Pass online
Southwest Airlines' Companion Pass is one of the best travel perks in the industry. With the pass, a friend or family member can fly with you for free (plus taxes and fees) on Southwest flights an unlimited number of times until the pass expires. While this might seem like one of those "too good to be true" scenarios, it's completely legit and just as good as it sounds. In fact, I've personally been a Companion Pass holder for almost 15 years.
Once the pass is earned, it's valid through Dec. 31 of the following calendar year (as long as it's earned through the traditional method and not during a special promotion). This gives you up to two years to use the pass, offering many opportunities for your designated companion to fly with you on your next trip.
Related: How to earn the Southwest Companion Pass
But did you know that you don't have to fly with the same companion on each and every flight? Southwest lets you change your companion up to three times per calendar year — and that is in addition to the initial selection of your companion. And since your pass is typically valid over the course of two calendar years, this allows up to seven people to fly with you for free.
And while changing your designated companion has always been a slight nuisance, Southwest just made it significantly easier. Up until recently, you'd have to call Southwest and request a change. But now, changing your companion can be done all on your own, right within your Southwest account.
Changing your Southwest Companion Pass
As of September, Southwest is making it significantly easier to change your companion. Initially, when you earn the pass, you have the opportunity to designate a companion. There's no change to this process, and identifying your initial companion can be done online through your Southwest account or over the phone with Southwest directly.
However, you can now also make changes to your pass online. Previously, the only option was to call Southwest. While the actual process only took the agent a few minutes, it would typically require a lengthy wait on hold, depending on the time of day.
To change your Southwest Companion Pass online, you'll first want to sign in to your Southwest account either through the app or online. From there, you'll see your Companion Pass information, with the option to change your companion. Within your account, it'll also tell you how many more times you can change your companion this year, which is incredibly helpful.
Related: How to earn and use the Southwest Companion Pass
Once you select the option to change your companion, you'll then have to fill out your companion's information. Again, you'll be notified of the number of companion changes you have left for the calendar year.
However, the big issue that you'll notice is that there's nowhere to enter your companion's Southwest Rapid Rewards number. Reports indicate that Southwest will automatically create a new Rapid Rewards number for the traveler, and for most, this isn't a problem — even if they already have a Rapid Rewards account. This is because when you fly as a companion, you don't receive points for your flights anyway, so not having the flight tied to your account isn't a huge issue. However, your companion won't be able to see the flight details in their account, which could be bothersome to some.
But the main issue is that if your companion has Southwest A-List or A-List Preferred status, they won't receive any perks during your trip.
And while you can always call Southwest to have it tie the correct Rapid Rewards number to the account, reports have shown that this method requires the agent to change your designated companion again, counting toward one of your three companion changes for the year.
If you want to ensure that the correct Rapid Rewards account is tied to your new companion, your best bet is to call Southwest directly at 800-435-9792 and avoid the online process. Hopefully, the option to add your companion's Rapid Rewards number online will be added sooner rather than later.
Related: 15 lessons from 15 years of having the Southwest Companion Pass
Things to know when switching your Southwest companion
Despite being a true no-strings-attached pass, there are some things to know along the way to set you up for success. For starters, your designated companion can repeat themselves. So let's say Joe is your initial companion and you are looking to fly with him in January and September, but you want your friend Sarah to fly with you in between the two flights in March. You are able to change your companion to Sarah and back to Joe again, but it'll still count as a change.
Additionally, the individual listed must be your companion both at the time of booking and at the time of travel. So, with the example above, you won't be able to change your companion to Sarah until after your flight with Joe is complete. And, if you already added Joe as a companion to your flight later in the year, you'll need to cancel Joe's flight before you change your companion to Sarah. Once your flight with Sarah is complete, you can then add Joe back on as your companion.
Just be mindful that there has to be at least one seat available for purchase when it comes to booking a companion ticket. If you're booking during peak travel times, you'll want to add your companion as soon as possible. To ensure your companion has a seat at a later time, while you have another designated companion, you can always book the passenger a seat with points to "save" their seat and then change it to a companion booking once that passenger is designated as a companion. And in the rare situation when the flight is sold out before a companion is added to the flight, keep on checking as there's a very high probability that a seat will ultimately become available.
Bottom line
I'm glad to see that Southwest now allows travelers to change their passes online and avoid a potentially lengthy hold time on the phone. Being able to see how many changes you are still allowed is also huge and can allow you to prepare for the year. However, there are still some kinks in the process when it comes to not being able to add your companion's Rapid Rewards number. Hopefully, this will be fixed in the near future, but for now, there's still the option to call if you need the correct account tied to the ticket.
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| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.