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Thousands of People Got the Southwest Companion Pass This Week. Except They Didn't.

Katherine Fan
Katherine Fan
Contributor
Katherine Fan is a former senior travel features reporter at The Points Guy who covered everything from personal finance to travel and aviation.
April 05, 2019
•
3 min read
Southwest Hawaii-21
Thousands of People Got the Southwest Companion Pass This Week. Except They Didn't.
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A number of Southwest Airlines travelers woke up to some unexpected major excitement in their inboxes this week: The carrier notified them they that they had earned the coveted Southwest Companion Pass valid for travel through the end of 2019:

For those who don't know, the Companion Pass is one of the "holy grails" of points- and miles-based travel. A Companion Pass holder who books a Southwest flight is able to use that pass to book a travel companion for free, except for requisite airport taxes and fees.

Not only does the Companion Pass essentially create a BOGO on purchased flights, the incredible perk even works on award flights. I've been able to book trips for two people to New Orleans for as low as 1,385 Southwest Rapid Rewards points one-way using this perk, and thousands of other travelers have similar "magic moments" stories, including families who have strategically doubled up Companion Passes to take 15 family trips in two years, saving thousands of dollars. And yes, the pass even works on Southwest's new routes to Hawaii.

Unfortunately for those who thought they'd won the travel lottery this morning, the excitement was short-lived. As customers turned to social media to inquire about how to make good on the unexpected Companion Pass windfall, excitement turned to disappointment and they were left bemoaning the loss of their golden egg.

TPG Lounge members had some choice comments.

"Kind of a bad April Fool's joke, Southwest Airlines," said Brandon Reeves. "I did get a bunch of free drink coupons in the mail, but considering most of my travel is early mornings, and that I hadn't completely used the last batch, it's not the same as having companion pass. It was nice to think about having it for a few minutes." Ron Thomas went so far as to call the airline, which responded that "thousands of people" had received the email "by accident."

Southwest Airlines confirmed to TPG that the happy news was, in fact, a database error rather than a lucky windfall for a lot of hopeful travelers. "Yesterday, April 4, some Southwest Rapid Rewards members received an e-mail with incorrect information regarding their Companion Pass status," an airline spokesperson told TPG. "We sincerely apologize for any confusion this email may have caused, and we are reviewing the cause of the error. Members should review their Rapid Rewards account for their accurate balance, status level, and any additional information related to their Rapid Reward account."

This isn't the airline's first snafu with Companion Pass notifications; I received emails from Southwest in 2017, confirming and then retracting my Companion Pass status for the year:


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Alas. The airline giveth and the airline taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Companion Pass.

If you're interested in acquiring the Southwest Companion Pass for keeps, check out our guide on how to earn the Companion Pass in 2019.

Featured image by JESSICA PUCKETT/THE POINTS GUY

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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.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • $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.