We are an independent publisher. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. To support our work, we are paid for providing advertising services. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Next” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. The compensation we receive and other factors, such as your location, may impact what ads and links appear on our site, and how, where, and in what order ads and links appear. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, our site does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We strive to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, but some information may not be current. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (“advertiser listing”); and general information about credit card products (“editorial content”). Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Apply Now” button or “Learn More” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. When you click on that hyperlink or button, you may be directed to the credit card issuer’s website where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Each advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its ad offer details, but we attempt to verify those offer details. We have partnerships with advertisers such as Brex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo and Discover. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers’ sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links.

For more information, please see How we make money.

Tips & Tricks to Get the Southwest Companion Pass With Marriott Flight Packages

  • Million Mile Secrets

    • Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

    Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers. Update:   After March 31, 2017, transferring hotel points to Southwest no longer counts towards the Companion Pass.  But here’s how to earn Companion Pass points when booking paid nights at hotels.

    The new year is quickly approaching!

    So many folks are planning the best strategy to earn the Southwest Companion Pass early in 2017.  This way you’ll get the most savings with nearly 2 full years of (almost) free flying for a companion!

    I recommended a way for couples to earn the Companion Pass and get a 7-night hotel stay with 2 card sign-up bonuses each.

    And many readers commented with fantastic questions on this strategy!

    I’m Happy to Answer Questions to Help Folks Earn the Companion Pass, Which Emily and I Think Is the Best Deal in Travel!

    I’ll answer a few of the most common questions that can help you and your partner get the best deal in travel!

    Marriott Hotel + Air & Companion Pass Questions

    Link:   1 Couple + 2 Cards = 2 Years of Free Flying + 7 Free Hotel Nights!

    Here are some fantastic questions from our readers about earning the Southwest Companion Pass with Marriott Hotel + Air packages.  I’ll share some tips so folks can get the most out of these packages!

    1.   Wait Until January 2017

    Million Mile Secrets reader, Brian, commented:

    Do the Southwest points from the Marriott Hotel + Air package post as soon as you’ve made the booking?

    And reader Sophia, commented:

    Is January 1, 2017 the best day to book the Marriott Hotel + Air package or December 31, 2016?  How long does it take for the Southwest points to post?  I’d like to get the Companion Pass as early as possible in January 2017.

    Excellent questions!  I recommend waiting until January 1, 2017, to book the Marriott Hotel + Air package.  Marriott says it can take up to 14 days for the Southwest points to post in your account.

    But I’ve read about folks who received the Southwest points in their account on the same day of booking.  This would NOT be good if you booked on December 31, 2016!

    Because the Companion Pass is valid from the date you earn 110,000 Companion Pass qualifying points up to the end of the next calendar year.

    Wait Until January 1, 2017 to Book a Marriott Hotel + Air Package. This Way You’ll Get the Southwest Companion Pass for Almost 2 Full Years!

    So getting the Southwest points in early January 2017 means your Companion Pass will be valid until December 31, 2018!

    Keep in mind, you can still combine Marriott points with a partner in anticipation of booking a Hotel + Air package in early January 2017.  This will save you time and you’ll be ready to book in the new year!

    2.   No Upgrades to Higher Category Marriott Hotels

    Million Mile Secrets reader, trup, commented:

    Do you know how to upgrade from a Category 5 Marriott hotel to a higher category after you book a Hotel + Air package?

    Great question!  Unfortunately, you can NOT upgrade to a higher category Marriott hotel after you redeem points for a Hotel + Air package.  I confirmed this on the phone with multiple Marriott representatives.

    So if your goal is to stay in a Category 6 or Category 7 Marriott hotel and get the Companion Pass, you’ll need to use more points when you book the package.

    If You Redeem More Marriott Points When Booking a Hotel + Air Package, You Can Stay 7 Nights at Higher Category Hotels Like the Category 7 JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa in Costa Rica

    For the Companion Pass and a 7-night stay, you’ll pay:

    3.   How to Use the Marriott 7-Night Certificate

    Million Mile Secrets reader, Emma, commented:

    Does the Marriott 7-night certificate have to be used all at once (at one hotel)?

    And reader, Diane, commented:

    Is there a time limit to use the Marriott 7-night hotel certificate?

    The 7-night certificate you get with a Marriott Hotel + Air package must be used at the same hotel for 7 consecutive nights.

    Unfortunately, you can NOT use it for 4 nights at one hotel and 3 nights at a different hotel (for example).

    Remember, when you book the Hotel + Air package, you do NOT have to pick the hotel on the same day.  You’ll get a certificate for the hotel category you choose that’s valid for 1 year.

    But I recommend booking your stay as soon as possible.  Because the hotel you choose will need to have 7 consecutive award nights available.  So the longer you wait, the harder it might be to get the dates you want.

    4.   Alternative Card Sign-Up Bonus Combinations

    Link:   If You Don’t Know This AMEX Secret, You’re Missing Out!

    Some folks are unable to get the Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card because of the bank’s tougher application rules.

    Thankfully, there are other ways to get enough Marriott points to get a 7-night Marriott stay and the Companion Pass!

    You and a partner could each apply for the:

    With each of these cards, you can earn a sign-up bonus of 25,000 Starwood points after meeting spending requirements.

    So you and a partner can earn at least 100,000 Starwood points (25,000 Starwood points x 4), which converts to 300,000 Marriott points.

    That’s more than enough points to get you the Companion Pass with a Hotel + Air package!

    With 2 AMEX Starwood Card Sign-Up Bonuses Each, You and a Partner Will Have Enough Points to Get the Companion Pass & Stay 7 Nights at the Long Beach Marriott in California

    Keep in mind, you’ll need to qualify as small business for the AMEX Starwood Preferred Guest business card.  But AMEX small business cards are often relatively easy to get because there are no strict income requirements.  And it won’t count toward Chase’s card limits!

    Bottom Line

    Folks are planning to earn the Southwest Companion Pass in early 2017 to use this amazing perk for nearly 2 full years.

    I’ve written how couples can earn the Companion Pass and a 7-night hotel stay with 2 card sign-up bonuses each by booking a Marriott Hotel + Air Package.

    If you’re considering a Hotel + Air package to earn the Companion Pass, remember:

    If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask in the comments!

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)