February 9, 2026
Southwest® Personal Cards Now Offer Companion Pass® + Bonus Points
Toni Perkins-Southam
What’s better than earning a stash of Southwest® Rapid Rewards® points? Earning those points and unlocking nearly free flights for your favorite travel buddy.
Southwest® is offering a welcome offer that bundles bonus Rapid Rewards points with a promotional Companion Pass®. While they were only available via a referral link earlier this week, they are now widely available.
What the New Southwest® Offers Include
Links for Southwest personal credit cards are currently showing welcome offers that include:
- A promotional Companion Pass® valid through February 28, 2027
- Bonus Rapid Rewards® points after meeting minimum spending requirements, with bonus amounts varying by card
Which Southwest® Credit Card Can Earn These Offers?
Southwest currently offers three personal credit cards through Chase. All earn Rapid Rewards® points and can help travelers work toward Companion Pass® eligibility, but they differ in annual fees and ongoing perks.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card carries the lowest annual fee, making it a common starting point for travelers who want to earn Southwest points at a lower cost.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card usually sits in the middle of the lineup, offering anniversary bonus points and stronger earning potential with a moderate annual fee.
All information about the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Points Talk Squad. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is no longer available through Points Talk Squad.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is Southwest’s premium personal option and usually includes the richest ongoing perks, such as annual Southwest travel credits, upgraded boarding opportunities, and anniversary bonus points.
Credit: chase.com
Because referral offers can vary by card and cardholder, travelers considering applying may want to compare referral availability before deciding which card to pursue.
Why the Southwest® Companion Pass® Is So Valuable
The Southwest® Companion Pass® is one of the most valuable perks in domestic airline loyalty programs — particularly for travelers who rarely fly alone.
Once earned, the pass allows you to designate one companion who can fly with you on any Southwest® flight, whether booked with cash or points, for just the cost of taxes and fees. Travelers can change their designated companion up to three times per calendar year.
Normally, earning a Companion Pass® requires either 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards® points or 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. Because those thresholds are high, credit card bonuses often help travelers qualify faster. Southwest credit cardholders also receive an automatic boost of 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points each calendar year, reducing the total number of points needed to qualify.
Do Credit Card Bonuses Count Toward Companion Pass® Qualification?
Rapid Rewards® points earned through Southwest® credit card spending — including most welcome and referral bonuses — count toward Companion Pass® qualification. However, points only count once they post to your Rapid Rewards® account. Only points posted within the same calendar year qualify.
Rapid Rewards® bonus points earned through certain referral promotions can also count toward Companion Pass® qualification, though referral bonus caps and eligibility requirements apply.
Who Should Consider This Offer?
These promotions could be especially appealing for travelers who were already planning to earn Southwest® points—and would benefit from unlocking nearly free flights for a partner, spouse, or whoever your heart desires.
They may be worth exploring if you:
- Plan to fly Southwest® regularly over the next year
- Travel frequently with a companion
- Are deciding between Southwest® personal credit cards
- Have access to a friend or family member who can generate a referral link
Travelers shouldn’t overlook referrals from someone in their own household, either. In many cases, spouses or partners who already hold a Southwest® credit card can refer each other, sometimes unlocking stronger welcome offers while allowing the referring cardholder to earn referral bonus points.
Related Posts
Five Reasons to Still Love Southwest Airlines
How to Earn the Southwest® Companion Pass® 2026
Southwest® and Turkish Airlines are Teaming Up—and It Could Change How You Fly Abroad
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. American Express is a Travel Mom Squad advertiser, but we always show the best public offer even when we don’t earn a commission. Terms Apply.
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