The easiest way to earn a Southwest Companion Pass for the longest period of time is using our “Go-to” strategy, but there are other ways to earn companion pass qualifying points. Check out some of these ways below.
Use your Card that earns Rapid Rewards points
Every time you use your card that earns Rapid Rewards points, the points you earn will count toward a companion pass. You don’t typically earn too many points per dollar, as most purchases only earn you 1 point per dollar spent. But, if you use your card consistently or if you have a large purchase, this could help you earn quite a few qualifying points.
Purchase flights on Southwest
Any flights that you purchase with cash on Southwest will earn you companion pass qualifying points. Point earnings are as follows:
- Wanna Get Away Fares: 2 points per dollar
- Wanna Get Away Plus Fares: 6 points per dollar
- Anytime Fares: 10 points per dollar
- Business Select Fares: 14 points per dollar
Use the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal
You can sign up for the Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal. You can even add a button/extension to your browser if you’d like. Basically, you will just go to the Rapid Rewards shopping website/portal. Then, type the store where you plan to shop. Click on the store and complete your purchase as normal.
You can earn anywhere from .5 to 10x points or more per dollar just by shopping online. This portal often runs bonuses, but bonus points usually don’t count toward companion pass points. The regular points you earn using the portal will count toward the companion pass though.
Sign up for Rapid Rewards Dining
Enrolling in this program and earning points is very easy. You simply enroll in the dining program, link your credit card(s), use one of your linked cards when eating at the restaurant and you earn travel points!
While you probably won’t earn a ton of points through the dining program, this is one of the ways to earn points that requires the least amount of effort. Once you are enrolled and have your card(s) linked, the points are automatically earned without any more effort. By simply linking your card(s), the points will hit your rewards account anytime that you dine at one of the restaurants attached to the program.
Book Hotel Nights on Southwest.com
You can go to the Southwest website and book hotel rooms and rent cars for paid vacations. If you do this, you can earn Rapid Rewards points that count toward the companion pass.
Refer others to a card that earns Rapid Rewards points
Anytime you refer someone for one of these cards and your referral is approved for the credit card, you will earn 20,000 Rapid Rewards points. These points do count toward a companion pass!
What Does Not Count
Points that do NOT count toward a companion pass include: purchased points, points transferred between members, points from other loyalty programs, our favorite starter card points transferred to Southwest, flight or partner bonus points, and any other points earned from outside partners.
One Final Thought
Something to always keep in mind when earning points is that it can take a few weeks for points to hit your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, so you will want to consider this when planning out your earnings strategy.
