Southwest Airlines has announced major changes to how travelers can earn the Southwest Companion Pass starting January 1, 2027, making one of the most valuable benefits in the points and miles world significantly harder to earn. Currently, travelers can qualify for the Companion Pass by earning 135,000 qualifying points or completing 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. Beginning in 2027, the unlimited Companion Pass will become a benefit of Southwest’s new Platinum elite status, requiring 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or 100 qualifying flights. The Companion Pass will still allow travelers to bring a designated companion on Southwest flights for just the taxes and fees, whether booking with cash or points.

The biggest change involves Southwest credit card welcome bonuses, which will no longer count toward earning the Companion Pass in 2027. Previously, one of the easiest ways to qualify was to open two Southwest credit cards, typically one personal and one business card, and earn the welcome bonuses on both to reach the required points threshold. That strategy will no longer work under the new rules. Instead, Southwest credit cardholders will earn one TQP per dollar spent on eligible purchases beginning in 2027, meaning someone relying exclusively on credit card spending would need $140,000 in purchases to qualify for Platinum status. Southwest is also introducing a milestone benefit offering three Companion Pass trips after earning 95,000 TQPs or completing 75 qualifying flights.

Southwest Companion Pass changes

Our Take

This is a major disappointment for travelers who have relied on credit card welcome bonuses to earn the Southwest Companion Pass without spending a fortune or flying frequently. For years, we’ve recommended opening two Southwest credit cards and strategically timing the welcome bonuses to earn the Companion Pass early in the year, potentially unlocking nearly two full years of two-for-one flights. It has consistently been one of our favorite strategies for families, couples, and anyone looking to stretch their travel budget. Removing welcome bonuses from the qualification process effectively eliminates that strategy, making the Companion Pass far less accessible to everyday travelers who don’t spend six figures annually on their credit cards.

Our recommendation is to take advantage of the current Companion Pass qualification rules before they change on January 1, 2027, if you can realistically meet the requirements. Travelers who qualify under the existing rules in 2026 can retain their Companion Pass through December 31, 2027, giving them another year to maximize its value. According to Southwest’s FAQs page for this recent change, cardmembers who are approved for a Southwest credit card on or before December 2, 2026 can have their welcome bonus points count towards Companion Pass qualifying points, even if the spend threshold is met in early 2027.

While Southwest’s new milestone rewards offer some value, three Companion Pass trips aren’t nearly as compelling as the unlimited benefit we’ve helped travelers earn through credit card bonuses. For most points and miles enthusiasts, this change makes the Southwest Companion Pass substantially harder, if not impossible, to earn and all but eliminates one of our most recommended strategies for affordable travel.