Perfect Timing for the Southwest Companion Pass!

The Southwest Companion Pass is arguably one of the most valuable travel perks that you can earn via credit card rewards. But getting this perk is all about timing. Luckily, right now is one of the best times to go for the Southwest Companion Pass, especially since these offers are likely to go down on October the 16th! 

Offers no longer available!

Southwest Companion Pass

With the Southwest Companion Pass, a companion can fly with you for free for up to two calendar years on both award flights and cash fares. This pass can be worth more than $3,000 depending on how you utilize it, so it’s a tremendously valuable perk (read more about the pass here).

The Southwest Companion Pass works on a calendar-year basis and that’s why it makes sense to pick it up at the beginning of the year, as early as possible so you can use it for as close to 24 months as possible.

Earning the 110,000 Rapid Rewards needed for the Companion Pass isn’t easy because it requires a lot of flying but it’s very doable when you rely on credit cards to get you there.

In order to get to 110,000 Rapid Rewards via credit cards, you need time your applications so that you’re going for the highest sign-up bonuses. And you want to do this at the end of a year or at the very beginning of a year to maximize the time that you’ll have the pass.

It’s not always possible to time your apps this way but right now it’s possible to do this and that’s why it’s a perfect time to go for the pass.

Here’s the thing though — you nee to make sure you don’t hit your minimum spend until after your December 2019 statement closes because you need your Rapid Rewards to hit for 2020. Some people get confused about closing dates, due dates, etc., so I usually recommend for people to go the safe route. 

The safe route is to wait until January 1, 2020 to hit your minimum spend. You could meet some of your minimum spend before that but just don’t hit 100% of it before then if you want to be 1,000% sure you’re timing this right. 

Three months from today would be January 14, 2020, so you’d have until then to hit your minimum spend (sometimes you might have until 115 days but don’t rely on that).

Southwest cards policy

Chase recently changed its policy for approving Chase Southwest credit cards. Now you can no longer pick up two personal Southwest cards. This was a major bummer but it wasn’t a complete loss because it’s still possible to get the personal and the business card, which can get you the Companion Pass.

Two things to note: 

• I would put at least 30 days (preferably 60) between applying for the business and the personal card
• Both cards are subject to the Chase 5/24 rule.

Southwest business credit cards

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card

If you’re able to go for a Southwest business card, I’d go for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card, which offers a whopping 80,000 Rapid Rewards after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

That puts you in great position to earn the Companion Pass and it’s honestly one of the best welcome bonuses we’ve ever seen. 

You’ll also get: 

• 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
• 3 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines purchases.
• 2 points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising, Internet, cable and phone services and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available
• Inflight WiFi Credits
• A-List credits 
• Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check Fee Credit
• Employee cards added at no additional cost
• $199 Annual Fee

Southwest Premier Business Card

The Southwest Premier Business Card is offering 60,000 Rapid Rewards after spending $3,000 in the first three months after account opening.

You’ll also get:

• No foreign transaction fees
• 6,000 anniversary points
• Earn 1,500 Tier-Qualifying Points for every $10,000 in purchases, up to 15,000 Tier-Qualifying Points each calendar year

Southwest personal credit cards

There are multiple offers out for the Southwest personal cards. These are offers for 60,000 miles but they do require more spend than usual.

You’ll be able to earn the full 60,000 Rapid Rewards after you spend $12,000 within your first year. $12,000 in a year is very easy to do. However, you don’t want to take a full year to hit that spend requirement because remember the Companion Pass is only good for two calendar years.

Since you can get 80,000 Rapid Rewards with a Southwest business card, all you need to do is hit the $1,000 spend for 40,000 Rapid Rewards and you’ll have enough for the Companion Pass. This is smartest way to go about getting the Companion Pass and would only require $6,000 in total spend. 

Here are the offers:

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

• 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months 
• Additional 20,000 after spending $12,000 within your first year.

You’ll also get:

• 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases
• 3,000 anniversary points

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card

• 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
• Additional 20,000 after spending $12,000 within your first year.

You’ll also get:

• 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases
• No foreign transaction fees
• 6,000 anniversary points
• Earn 1,500 Tier-Qualifying Points for every $10,000 in purchases, up to 15,000 Tier-Qualifying Points each calendar year

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

• 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
• Additional 20,000 after spending $12,000 within your first year.

You’ll also get:

• Bonus spending:
  • 2X Rapid Rewards on Southwest purchases
  • 2X Rapid Rewards on hotel and car rental partner purchases.
  • 1X Rapid Rewards on all other purchases
• $75 Southwest annual travel credit
• 7,500 anniversary points each year
• Four Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
• 20% back on in-flight drinks, WiFi, messaging, and movies
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earn tier qualifying points towards A-list Status
• $149 annual fee applied to your first billing statement

Final word

Now is a great time to go for the Companion Pass due to the time of the year and the credit card bonuses. With just two offers you can easily hit 110,000+ Rapid Rewards. However, make sure you follow the application rules when pursuing the Companion Pass and don’t hit your minimum spend until the time is right.