Southwest Companion Pass Changes: 2027 Rules Update

Southwest Airlines will overhaul the way travelers earn the popular Southwest Companion Pass starting January 1, 2027. For those who rely on the Southwest Companion Pass, the biggest change is that credit card bonuses will no longer count toward your qualification after this date.

Key takeaways

  • From January 1, 2027, Southwest credit card welcome and referral bonuses, anniversary points, bonus category points and partner spend no longer earn Tier Qualifying Points, as confirmed by The Points Guy.
  • The unlimited Companion Pass becomes part of the new Platinum elite tier, which requires 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points or 100 one-way flights, according to CardPolo.
  • Earning 95,000 Tier Qualifying Points or 75 one-way flights gets three individual Companion Pass trips as a milestone, per Doctor of Credit.
  • A Companion Pass earned under the 2026 rules keeps unlimited use through December 31, 2027, per The Points Guy.

What is changing for the Southwest Companion Pass in 2027?

Southwest Airlines is shifting the Companion Pass to depend solely on a new Tier Qualifying Points system from January 1, 2027. According to Doctor of Credit, the separate bucket of Companion Pass qualifying points will be retired, and only certain activities will count toward qualification. No longer will new cardmember bonuses, referral bonuses, anniversary points, bonus-category bonuses, or partner points count toward earning the pass.

From that date, only base credit card spending (1 Tier Qualifying Point per $1 spent, with exclusions for cash advances and fees) is eligible—per CardPolo. Other bonuses still award spendable Rapid Rewards points, but won't help you earn elite status or the Companion Pass itself. TravelZork points out this is another step in a series of Southwest program devaluations, even as the airline claims they will offer broader Companion Pass opportunities in 2027.

How will you qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass in 2027?

Beginning January 1, 2027, travelers can earn three single-use Companion Pass trips by reaching 95,000 Tier Qualifying Points or 75 one-way flights in a calendar year, as detailed by Doctor of Credit. The unlimited Companion Pass becomes a Platinum tier benefit, attainable with 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points or 100 one-way flights.

The new elite structure is:

  • Silver: 35,000 Tier Qualifying Points or 25 qualifying flights
  • Gold: 65,000 Tier Qualifying Points or 50 qualifying flights
  • Platinum: 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points or 100 qualifying flights, plus unlimited Companion Pass

Silver replaces A-List and Gold replaces A-List Preferred (Doctor of Credit). At 20,000 points or 15 flights, members choose 2,000 Rapid Rewards points or two Preferred Seat certificates (Travel Points Playbook). For 2027 alone, a one-time boost of 10,000 points at 130,000 Tier Qualifying Points means Platinum status is effectively unlocked at 130,000 points (Doctor of Credit).

Why does removing credit card bonuses matter for the Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass was long within reach for many travelers thanks to lucrative credit card welcome offers. As noted by The Points Guy, bonuses could be as high as 80,000 Rapid Rewards points, covering much of the 135,000-point threshold previously needed. Now, with bonuses no longer counting, the path to a Companion Pass is reserved for those flying regularly or spending heavily on their Southwest credit card.

Previously, Companion Pass qualifying points included welcome bonuses, even though they didn't count for elite tier credit, making the pass a popular target for savvy card users (The Points Guy). As Travelbinger explains, the Companion Pass allows another traveler to accompany you for just taxes and fees on most flights. This structural change also lessens the incentive for travelers to carefully manage their Chase 5/24 status to stay eligible for new credit cards (TravelZork).

What is the December 2, 2026, deadline for card applications?

Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card approvals on or before December 2, 2026, are the last chance to let a new card's welcome bonus count for Companion Pass qualifying points, per The Points Guy. Even if bonus requirements are met after the new year, the application must be before December 2, 2026. Until December 31, 2026, the prior rules still apply—meaning you can qualify for a Companion Pass via credit card bonuses or 100 one-way flights (CreditPoints).

A pass earned under the 2026 rules remains valid through December 31, 2027 (CreditPoints). Applications submitted after December 2, 2026, will no longer have welcome bonuses count for the pass, since those points stop earning Tier Qualifying Points at the start of 2027 (The Points Guy).

What other loyalty program changes happened in October 2026?

October 2026 saw sweeping changes across several travel loyalty programs, reported by Miles and Points Daily and TravelZork:

  • United raised MileagePlus 1K to 32,000 Premier Qualifying Points.
  • Chase Ultimate Rewards points now transfer to World of Hyatt at a 4:3 ratio (a 25% reduction), according to Loyalty Lobby.
  • Hyatt introduced member-to-member transfers with a 525,000-point annual cap per calendar year, starting October 15, 2026.
  • American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings require two nights in 2027 to redeem Platinum card credits, and Airbnb Luxe was added as a lodging option.
  • Bilt Rewards introduced a 1:1 transfer ratio to JetBlue.
  • The Amex-to-Hilton 30% transfer bonus ended October 14, 2026; the Chase-to-Marriott 70% bonus ended October 15, 2026.

These changes—spanning transfer ratios, elite status thresholds, and credit requirements—mean that loyalty program members should be watching their accounts and strategizing ahead.

What steps should Southwest travelers take before the end of 2026?

Before December 31, 2026, Southwest Rapid Rewards members should review their progress toward the Companion Pass and act fast if they want to qualify under the current system. According to CreditPoints, credit card bonuses will help you reach the 135,000-point target through 2026.

  • Check your path to 135,000 qualifying points or 100 flights.
  • Apply for a Southwest credit card by December 2, 2026 if you plan to use the welcome bonus for qualification (The Points Guy).
  • Prepare for 2027 by focusing on flight activity and card spend that earns 1 Tier Qualifying Point per $1, as outlined by CardPolo.
  • If 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points is unattainable, target the three Companion Pass trips milestone award at 95,000 points (Doctor of Credit).

Frequently asked questions

Can a Southwest credit card welcome bonus earn a Companion Pass in 2027?

No. Beginning January 1, 2027, welcome bonuses do not count toward Tier Qualifying Points, so new bonuses awarded after this date will not help earn a Companion Pass. Only applications approved by December 2, 2026, will allow bonuses to count if requirements are met.

How many Tier Qualifying Points are needed for unlimited Companion Pass in 2027?

The Platinum tier, which grants the unlimited Southwest Companion Pass, requires 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points or 100 one-way flights. For 2027 only, a one-time 10,000-point boost applies after reaching 130,000 points.

Does a Companion Pass earned in 2026 remain valid for 2027?

Yes, a Companion Pass earned under the 2026 rules will stay valid for unlimited companion travel through December 31, 2027.

Conclusion

Starting in 2027, qualifying for the Southwest Companion Pass will depend on flight activity and regular credit card spend—not bonuses. Those who achieve the pass by December 31, 2026, keep their perks for another year, but all others must follow the new, more demanding path tied to Platinum status or milestone rewards.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Loyalty Program Personalization: Beyond Points

Loyalty program personalization is now the missing piece for many members—especially in October 2026. While loyalty programs routinely track purchases, they often fail to anticipate what people actually want. According to Korn Ferry, the real solution is about recognition and anticipation, not simply awarding more points. Key takeaways Korn Ferry has identified a growing gap: as loyalty programs expand and automate, members seek a more personal experience than points can offer. MARKETECH APAC finds that the most effective loyalty programs anticipate customer needs, providing experiences that adapt in real time rather than relying solely on rewards. A Chicago Region Toyota dealership reduced its number of lost customers from around 635 to 365 through a retention program, moving about 270 from lost to active, according to Advantage Concepts, Inc. Adjusting reward tiers may increase frequent-guest payouts but does not by itself make members feel personally recognized. What is loya...
Read more

Carnival Rewards Changes: What Loyal Cruisers Face Now

Carnival Rewards has redrawn the rules for frequent cruisers, redefining loyalty by dollars spent instead of nights on board. Longtime Carnival guests, used to earning status through years of sailing, find themselves grappling with the new Carnival Rewards program and its stark emphasis on spending. Key takeaways Carnival Rewards launched on September 1, 2026, replacing the longtime VIFP Club and linking status to dollars spent. On October 31 and November 1, 2026, Platinum members on three ships were warned their priority perks might not be available. Achieving Gold, Platinum, or Diamond now requires 10,000, 50,000, or 100,000 stars, earned at 3 stars per dollar of eligible purchases. Many established members are dissatisfied, with some weighing MSC Cruises, which offers a status match to those with competing cruise line status. What did Carnival Rewards change on September 1, 2026? Carnival Cruise Line shifted loyalty program rules on September 1, 2026, ending their 14-year-o...
Read more

Restaurant Loyalty Programs: Tiers Take Center Stage

Restaurant loyalty programs saw a major shift in October 2026, with many brands moving to tiered systems as the new standard for rewards. The most active launch period to date put focus on rewarding loyal diners over those chasing single-use deals, with the phrase "restaurant loyalty programs" defining this new direction. Key takeaways Kura Sushi Rewards relaunched with three tuna-themed tiers and rising earn rates, according to Kura Sushi USA. Fatburger introduced its first loyalty program, offering $5 off for every 75 points and a $5 welcome reward, according to Fatburger. Non-restaurant programs from Northern Tool, CarParts.com, LIME Fresh Mexican Grill, and Kroger also debuted in the same week, according to The Wise Marketer. Wallet-based loyalty solutions like BonusQR offer smaller operators access to programs without apps or point-of-sale upgrades, according to BonusQR. Why are so many restaurant loyalty programs using tiers in October 2026? Restaurant loyalty ...
Read more