When Southwest Airlines members buy tickets for themselves, a friend can fly free under the airline’s revamped Companion Pass promotion, the airline said Thursday.
The popular offer is back this month for a limited time and is only available to Rapid Rewards members who purchase or redeem points for airline tickets. It’s actually a buy-one-get-one-free promotion for air travel.
“We love offering this Companion Pass promotion because it allows our members to experience one of the many benefits of our award-winning Rapid Rewards program,” Southwest Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Bridie said in a statement.
It’s the first time members can use their Rapid Rewards points, other than cash, and be eligible for the promotion, Bridie added.
How can I qualify?
You must be a member of Rapid Rewards to qualify for the promotion, and register to access it. Members must book flights between September 3-5 for travel between January 6, 2025 and March 6, 2025. Successful registrants will receive an email telling them they have qualified for the promotion, the airline said.
To earn the Southwest Companion Pass, you must accumulate 135,000 points or purchase tickets on 100 qualifying flights in a year.
You can designate your “companion” when you get your promotional card and can change the friend or family member you want to travel with up to three times, according to Southwest.
Southwest is admired for promotions like these that appeal to budget-conscious travelers. The airline, for example, provides plus-size passengers who need more than one seat with an extra flight seat at no charge. Such passengers are instructed to purchase two seats and then request a refund for the cost of the additional seat.
In July, the airline ended its open seat system, marks a major upheaval of one of its signature policies. Southwest will begin selling tickets with assigned seats beginning in 2025.