Increased Southwest Companion Pass Requirements

Southwest Airlines has revealed it’s raising the requirements for the Companion Pass, but this doesn’t actually make it harder to get a Companion Pass, just to make sure everyone has a co-branded credit card. It seems to be for

Companion Pass requires 135,000 points by 2023.

Southwest Airlines has announced that starting in 2023, more activity will be required to earn a Companion Pass.

• The Companion Pass requirement will be increased from 125,000 Qualification Points to 135,000 Qualification Points.
• On the first business day of each calendar year, holders of a co-branded Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card will earn 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points for that year.

For those unfamiliar with companion passes, it’s one of the best value passes for domestic and short international travel. The Companion Pass allows her qualifying Rapid Rewards members to bring a companion on a Southwest Airlines flight by paying only the companion’s taxes and fees (starting at $5.60 each way) . .

It doesn’t matter if you book tickets with cash or redeem points. This could essentially double the value of your trip with Southwest Airlines, which is a pretty cool opportunity.

Companion Passes are earned by completing 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 125,000 qualifying points. Eligible points include points earned on Southwest Airlines flights and points earned on co-branded Southwest credit cards. However, point transfers from other programs, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards, do not count toward that requirement.

Why this change is no big deal

Essentially, Southwest is increasing the point requirement for Companion Pass status by 8%. If you earned the Companion Pass through flying, it has the same requirements as before. On top of that, Southwest is giving her 10,000 point boost to those with a co-branded credit card earlier this year.

So what is the motive here? Clearly, this is to further encourage people to purchase Southwest’s co-branded credit cards. Nothing different from what you see on other airlines. Delta SkyMiles, for example, is raising its spending requirements for earning status starting in 2023, but nothing will change for those earning waivers on co-branded credit cards.

I think most people who qualify for a companion pass based on points already have a co-branded credit card.

Conclusion

As of 2023, Southwest is increasing the Companion Pass requirement by 8% from 125,000 to 135,000 qualifying points. However, anyone with a co-branded credit card earlier this year will automatically receive her 10,000 point boost.

This is another effort by the airline to encourage loyal customers to get credit cards.

What are your thoughts on these Southwest Companion Pass changes?