When Does the Clock Start for Earning Southwest Companion Pass?

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Million Mile Secrets reader, Annie, commented:

I understand I must earn 110,000 Southwest points in one year to earn the Companion Pass.  So if I start earning points in April 2017, do I have until April 2018 or December 2017 to earn the required points?

Great question, Annie.

To get the Companion Pass, you must earn 110,000 Southwest points in a calendar year.  So you have from January to December.

And the Companion Pass is valid through the last day in the following year in which it’s earned.  So if you earn the Companion Pass now, it’s good through December 31, 2018.

That’s why I typically recommend folks earn the Companion Pass as early in the year as possible.  Because you can take advantage of the BEST deal in travel for nearly two full years!

I’ll remind y’all how you can earn the Companion Pass!

The Southwest Companion Pass Is the Best Deal In Travel

Link:   How to Fly (Almost) Free for 2 Years on Southwest

With the Southwest Companion Pass, your designated companion flies with you for almost free!

Whether your flight is booked with points or cash, your companion flies for only the cost of taxes & fees.  And if you earn the Companion Pass in 2017, it’s valid through December 31, 2018!

This fantastic travel perk has saved Emily and me thousands of dollars on airfare.

Plus, I love flying Southwest because:

• Award flight prices are based on the cash cost of the flight
• There are no blackout dates on award flights
• You don’t pay change or cancel fees on paid or award flights
• You get 2 free checked bags on every flight

How to Earn the Companion Pass

As reader Annie pointed out, you must earn 110,000 Southwest points in a calendar year to get the Companion Pass.  

Here are posts with different ways to earn points toward the Companion Pass:

• Great Time to Earn Companion Pass! All 3 Southwest Cards Now Offering 60,000 Points
• 10 Unusual Ways to Earn Southwest Points
• Earn Southwest Companion Points With These Products
• You Can Still Earn Companion Pass Points Through This Hotel Site

Unfortunately, there’s now one less way to earn the Companion Pass now that transferring hotel points from Choice, Hyatt, and Marriott no longer qualify.

This means the easiest way to quickly earn points toward the Companion Pass is with 2 Chase Southwest card sign-up bonuses.

With limited-time improved offers for the Chase Southwest Premier Personal and Chase Southwest Plus cards, you’ll earn 60,000 Southwest points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account.

And with the Chase Southwest Premier Small Business Card, you’ll earn 60,000 Southwest points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

So with 1 personal Southwest card and the Southwest small business card you’ll have at least 120,000 Southwest points – more than enough to earn the Companion Pass!

But remember, if you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards (from any bank) in the past 24 months (except these business cards), it’s very unlikely that you’ll be approved for any Southwest cards.  Depending on your current “5/24” status, you might consider pausing your credit card applications to get the Southwest cards in the future.

Keep in mind, you’ll also earn eligible Southwest Companion Pass points with paid flights on the airline.

Bottom Line

To get the Southwest Companion Pass, you must earn 110,000 points in a calendar year (January to December).

I’ve written why I think the Companion Pass is the best deal in travel.  Because you can save lots of money when a companion joins you on paid or award flights for only the cost of taxes and fees.

This means the easiest way to quickly earn points toward the Companion Pass is with 2 Chase Southwest card sign-up bonuses.