The Most sought-after travel perk, the Southwest Companion Pass
We recently got the chance to fly Southwest Air on our recent trip to Kona using our AMEX Platinum airlines credit. For a more detailed review of the flight, check out our friend’s @islandmiler ’s blog!
With news of the SouthWest Effect hitting our islands (Hawaiian Airlines inter-island sales down 16% in Q2), be on the lookout for Southwest Credit card bonuses!
The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most sought-after travel perks in the Travel hacking industry. When acquired, whenever you fly with Southwest Airlines, a companion can fly FREE with you for the remainder of the year and the next full calendar year. It only requires 110,000 Southwest points earned in one calendar year to score it, but there are a few credit card combinations you can make right now to earn those points with just two credit cards. Here’s how Southwest defines points that will count:
“Companion Pass Qualifying Points are earned from your revenue flights booked through Southwest Airlines, your points earned by making purchases with a Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card, and your base points earned from Rapid Rewards partners.”
*The pass is valid for the rest of the year in which you earn it plus the entire following year. Timing is everything so plan effectively!
Here is a brief rundown of the Southwest Credit Card’s and their current bonuses.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Earn up to 60,000 points. Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn 20,000 points after you spend $12,000 on purchases in the first 12 months your account is open.
VALUE: $900
$75 annual Southwest travel credit; 20% back on in-flight drinks, Wi-Fi, messaging and movies; and four Upgraded Boardings in the A1–A15 position each year (worth up to $50 each). $149 annual fee.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
Earn up to 60,000 points. Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn 20,000 points after you spend $12,000 on purchases in the first 12 months your account is open.
VALUE: $900
No foreign transaction fees, earn points toward A-List status, $99 annual fee
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Earn up to 60,000 points. Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn 20,000 points after you spend $12,000 on purchases in the first 12 months your account is open.
VALUE: $900
3,000 anniversary bonus points, $69 annual fee
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
VALUE: $1,200
Four A1–A15 annual boarding passes, Inflight Wi-Fi credits, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application statement credit every four years, 3x points on Southwest charges. $199 annual fee.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Earn 60,000 points when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
VALUE: $900
No foreign transaction fees, earn points toward A-List status, 6,000 points at each renewal, $99 annual fee.
