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Earn the Southwest Companion Pass under 2026 rules by December 31, 2026, and it stays valid for unlimited trips through December 31, 2027. The current path requires 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. Eligible Rapid Rewards cardmembers also receive one 10,000-point boost each calendar year. Welcome bonuses that post in 2026 count toward the pass. If you're approved by December 2, 2026, a bonus can still count even if you finish the spend in early 2027. From 2027, card spend earns 1 TQP per dollar and bonuses stop counting.
This guide covers the rules for both years so you can plan qualification before the change and understand what no longer counts afterward. Focus on posting activity in 2026 to lock in the longer validity window.
Our own free tracker, RewardTracker.io, lets you track two cards free; a one-time $10 unlock adds the rest of the catalog on that account.
At a Glance
| Period | Threshold for Unlimited | 3-Trip Option | Validity if Earned in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Dec 31, 2026 | 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or 100 one-way flights | None (unlimited only) | Through Dec 31, 2027 |
| From Jan 1, 2027 | 140,000 TQPs or 100 flights (Platinum) | 95,000 TQPs or 75 flights (Milestone) | N/A (new system) |
as of October 2026
The 2026 path uses a dedicated Companion Pass qualifying points currency that includes most card points. From 2027 the system consolidates to Tier Qualifying Points only, with bonuses no longer counting toward the pass. Planning around the December 31, 2026 cutoff keeps the unlimited pass valid through the end of 2027.
Cardmembers can stack one personal Southwest card with one business card to accelerate the 2026 total. The 10,000 boost applies once per eligible member each calendar year and counts toward the threshold.
For details on what counts in 2026 see the official Companion Pass rules. The side-by-side later compares the exact numbers.
Quick Overview
Through December 31, 2026, you earn the Companion Pass with 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. See the official Companion Pass rules for the full list. The pass earned in 2026 under current rules stays valid for unlimited Companion Pass trips through December 31, 2027.
Southwest Rapid Rewards cardmembers earn one boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year. The boost is deposited by January 31 or up to 30 days after account opening. Only one credit card account per member is eligible. This boost counts toward the 135,000-point total.
Companion Pass members can change their designated companion up to three times each calendar year. Companion fares exclude taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way. The same-year posting rule means only points that post on billing statements and to the Rapid Rewards account in 2026 count. Purchases after the December statement date post in January and do not count for that year.
In 2026, Companion Pass qualifying points include points from Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards (including welcome bonuses, anniversary points and category bonus points), base points from paid Southwest flights, and base points from Rapid Rewards partners. Purchased points, transferred points, Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers, points from reward flights and tier bonuses do not count. For more on the program, see Southwest Rapid Rewards 2026.
Combine the card points with base flight and partner points to reach the threshold. The 10,000 boost is available once per eligible cardmember per calendar year. Track progress carefully so all qualifying activity posts before the end of 2026.
Chase allows only one personal Southwest card bonus. You can't get one if you currently hold any personal Southwest card or earned a personal Southwest bonus in the past 24 months. The usual stack is one personal card plus one business card. For example, Priority (60,000) plus Performance Business (80,000) plus the 10,000 boost equals 150,000.
Two business cards from Chase are another option. Each business bonus is blocked only by holding that same business card or having received its bonus in the past 24 months.
Welcome bonuses that post in 2026 count. The December 2 approval window is covered in full in the how-to section later. From 2027 the currency changes and most bonuses stop counting toward the pass.
as of October 2026
Current Rules (through Dec 31, 2026)
As of October 2026, Companion Pass is earned with 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. The official Southwest Companion Pass page lists the requirements. Eligible Rapid Rewards cardmembers receive one 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each calendar year, deposited by January 31 or up to 30 days after account opening. Only one credit card account per member is eligible.
Only points posted on billing statements and to the Rapid Rewards account in the same calendar year count toward Companion Pass. Purchases after the December statement date post in January and do not count for that year. This timing rule is critical for year-end planning. Monitor your statement closing date so spend posts in 2026.
In 2026, Companion Pass qualifying points include points from Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards (including welcome bonuses, anniversary points and category bonus points), base points from paid Southwest flights, and base points from Rapid Rewards partners. See end-of-year tier communication for confirmation of what counts. Purchased points, transferred points, Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers, points from reward flights and tier bonuses do not count.
A Companion Pass earned in 2026 under current rules stays valid for unlimited Companion Pass trips through December 31, 2027. Companion Pass members can change their designated companion up to three times each calendar year. Companion fares exclude taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way. For program details see Southwest Rapid Rewards 2026.
The 10,000 boost counts fully toward the 135,000 threshold and is available once per eligible member. It does not create a path to re-qualify under 2026 rules for a pass that extends beyond 2027. Card points that post in 2026, including welcome bonuses, add directly to the total.
Base points from partners count, but partner bonus points do not (except those from the Chase Southwest cards). Award flights and purchased points are excluded entirely. Tracking both the points total and the flight count lets you use whichever path is closer.
Statement timing matters near year-end. A purchase that posts after your December statement date counts in 2027 and does not help the 2026 qualification. Plan major spend so it closes before that date.
The rules remain in effect through December 31, 2026. Activity that posts by then locks in the pass through the end of 2027 under the current structure.
2026 vs 2027 Side-by-Side
Through December 31, 2026, the currency is Companion Pass qualifying points. You need 135,000 of them or 100 qualifying one-way flights for the unlimited pass. From January 1, 2027, the currency is Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) only. Companion Pass qualifying points are retired after December 31, 2026. See the official 2027 Companion Pass changes page.
| Feature | Through Dec 31, 2026 | From Jan 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Companion Pass qualifying points | Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) |
| Unlimited pass | 135,000 points or 100 flights | 140,000 TQPs or 100 flights (Platinum) |
| 3-trip option | None | 95,000 TQPs or 75 flights (Milestone) |
| What counts from cards | Welcome bonuses, anniversary, category bonuses, and base | 1 TQP per $1 spent only; bonuses stop counting |
as of October 2026
The 2026 unlimited threshold is slightly lower in points terms, and card bonuses still count. In 2027 the unlimited path moves to Platinum status and requires more TQPs while excluding bonuses. Either path (TQPs or flights) qualifies for the 2027 milestones and Platinum.
A pass earned under the 2026 rules remains valid through December 31, 2027 even after the system changes. The 2027 Milestone and Platinum are separate and do not extend a 2026-earned pass. Card spend from 2027 earns TQPs at a flat rate with no category multipliers counting extra.
The comparison shows why finishing under the current rules is valuable for anyone targeting the unlimited companion benefit through the end of 2027. Flight-based qualification stays similar at 100 one-ways for unlimited in both systems.
See also Southwest Rapid Rewards benefits for how status tiers interact with other perks. The next section details the full 2027 structure.
The table highlights the key differences in currency and what card activity contributes. In 2026 the full value of welcome offers and category multipliers moves the Companion Pass counter. In 2027 those same activities still earn redeemable points but zero TQPs. Flight qualification remains available in both years at the 100 one-way mark for unlimited travel.
Members who already hold status or plan heavy flying can use the flight path in either system. Card-focused members gain the most from finishing in 2026 while bonuses still count. The validity of a 2026-earned pass is fixed through December 31, 2027 regardless of when in the year the threshold is crossed.
What Changes in 2027
Beginning January 1, 2027, Companion Pass benefits are earned via Tier Qualifying Points or qualifying flights. Companion Pass qualifying points are retired after December 31, 2026. The official 2027 changes page confirms the shift.
Milestone Reward: three trips
The 2027 Milestone Reward between Gold and Platinum unlocks three Companion Pass trips at 95,000 TQPs or 75 qualifying one-way flights. Each trip is good for one one-way or round-trip itinerary. This is a new intermediate option that did not exist under the 2026 rules.
Members can choose the three trips once they hit the threshold. The trips do not accumulate beyond the three; unlimited travel requires Platinum status instead. Either the TQP path or the flight path qualifies.
Platinum: unlimited trips
2027 Platinum status unlocks unlimited Companion Pass trips at 140,000 TQPs or 100 qualifying one-way flights. Either path qualifies. This replaces the single 135,000-point threshold for unlimited travel in the new system.
Platinum status itself is earned for the year and carries the unlimited companion benefit. A 2026-earned Companion Pass still ends on December 31, 2027 and is not extended by Platinum qualification in 2027.
Tiers and first milestone
2027 tiers start with Silver at 35,000 TQPs or 25 qualifying flights, Gold at 65,000 TQPs or 50 flights, and Platinum at 140,000 TQPs or 100 flights. The first Milestone Reward is at 20,000 TQPs or 15 qualifying one-way flights, where you choose 2,000 Rapid Rewards points or two Preferred Seat Certificates.
These thresholds appear on the official Southwest page. The structure gives earlier rewards at lower levels while reserving unlimited companion travel for Platinum. Tracking both TQPs and flights lets you take the faster path.
What stops counting
From 2027, new cardmember welcome bonuses, referral bonuses, anniversary points, bonus points from spend, and partner earning do not earn TQPs. They still earn redeemable Rapid Rewards points, but they no longer help with Companion Pass or tier qualification. From January 1, 2027, each $1 spent on purchases with a Rapid Rewards credit card earns one TQP.
Category bonuses that counted extra Companion Pass points in 2026 no longer multiply TQPs. Only the base dollar spend moves the TQP counter. This is the main reason the 2026 window is more accessible for card-driven qualification.
The 130,000-TQP boost
In 2027, cardmembers who reach 130,000 TQPs receive a one-time 10,000 TQP boost that can help them qualify for Platinum status valid through December 31, 2028. This is a separate 2027 feature and does not relate to the 2026 10,000 Companion Pass boost. It does not reset or extend any 2026 rules.
The boost applies after the 130,000 TQP mark and closes the gap to the 140,000 Platinum threshold for eligible cardmembers. It is one-time and tied to the 2027 qualification year.
Overall, the 2027 system simplifies to one currency but removes most bonus sources from the Companion Pass calculation. Members who want the unlimited benefit through 2027 should aim to finish under the 2026 rules.
How to Earn Before the Change
The practical window for earning under 2026 rules closes December 31, 2026. Points and flights that post by then count toward the 135,000-point or 100-flight threshold. A pass earned then remains valid through December 31, 2027.
Welcome bonuses that post in 2026 count toward the pass. If you're approved by December 2, 2026, a bonus can still count even if you finish the spend in early 2027. Southwest hasn't said how bonus points that post in 2027 combine with a 2026 total, and a pass earned under current rules still ends December 31, 2027, so finishing later leaves less time to use it.
For example, apply for the Priority card in November 2026 and get approved by December 2. Complete the $2,000 spend by mid-January 2027 so the 60,000 bonus posts. Those points can count if they post under the approved-by-December-2 rule. If both bonuses post in 2026, the Priority and Performance Business bonuses plus the 10,000 boost total 150,000, which clears 135,000.
Sequence applications carefully if using two business cards instead of one personal and one business. The personal-card rule limits you to one personal Southwest bonus at a time.
Monitor statement closing dates. Spend that posts after the December statement does not count for 2026 even if the purchase was made in 2026. Aim to have the bulk of activity close before that date.
Base flight points and partner base points also add to the total. A few paid Southwest flights plus the card stack can close any remaining gap. Track progress in your Rapid Rewards account so you can adjust before year-end.
Once the threshold is reached and the pass is earned in 2026, designate your companion and book under the unlimited benefit through the end of 2027. Whenever you qualify in 2026, the pass runs through December 31, 2027.
Worked timing: an approval on November 15, 2026, with spend completed by January 10, 2027. Keep records of statement close dates so nothing slips into January unexpectedly.
If the remaining gap is small, a few partner base points from hotel or car bookings through Southwest can finish the total. Avoid purchased points or transfers, which do not count. The goal is to have everything post before December 31, 2026, for the longest possible use of the pass.
as of October 2026
Southwest Credit Cards
Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards from Chase are the main accelerator for 2026 Companion Pass qualifying points because welcome bonuses, anniversary points, and category bonuses all count. See the full breakdown in our Southwest credit card review 2026.
| Card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | Anniversary points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plus | $99 | 50,000 after $1,000 in 3 months | 3,000 |
| Premier | $149 | 55,000 after $1,500 in 3 months | 6,000 |
| Priority | $229 | 60,000 after $2,000 in 3 months | 7,500 |
| Premier Business | $149 | 60,000 after $3,000 in 3 months | 6,000 |
| Performance Business | $299 | 80,000 after $5,000 in 3 months | 9,000 |
as of October 2026
Chase allows only one personal Southwest card bonus. The personal bonus (Plus, Premier, or Priority) is not available if you currently hold any personal Southwest card or received a personal Southwest bonus in the past 24 months. This restriction does not apply to the business cards.
Each business card bonus is blocked only for current holders of that same business card or anyone who received that same card's bonus in the past 24 months. You can hold one personal and one business, or two different business cards. Approval for two Chase business cards back to back isn't guaranteed.
Earn rates on Southwest purchases are 2x on Plus, 3x on Premier and Premier Business, and 4x on Priority and Performance Business, with 1x on other purchases. These category bonuses count toward the 2026 Companion Pass total. From 2027 only the 1 TQP per dollar rate applies.
A common stack is the Priority card at 60,000 plus the Performance Business at 80,000 plus the 10,000 boost for 150,000 total. That clears the 135,000 threshold with room to spare from other activity. Anniversary points also count if they post in 2026.
See what those points are worth in our points valuations.
Confirm current offers on the Chase pages before applying, as terms can change.
For comparison of personal cards see Southwest personal credit cards compared 2026. Business cards follow the same 2026 counting rules for bonuses and spend.
Anniversary points post on the card anniversary and count if that date falls in 2026. New accounts opened late in the year may not receive anniversary points until 2027, so the welcome bonus is the primary 2026 contribution from a late application. Category bonuses on Southwest purchases continue to count fully through the end of 2026.
Fastest Strategies to Hit 135k CPQP in 2026
The fastest paths combine one personal Southwest Rapid Rewards card with one business card, or two business cards, plus the annual 10,000-point boost. Each business card bonus is blocked only by that same business card. (see the card rules above)
One clear combination uses the Priority card welcome bonus of 60,000 points after $2,000 in purchases in the first 3 months, the Performance Business card welcome bonus of 80,000 points after $5,000 in the first 3 months, and the 10,000 boost: 60,000 + 80,000 + 10,000 = 150,000. That total exceeds the 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points threshold by 15,000 points. As of October 2026, both cards must be approved on or before December 2, 2026 so the welcome points can count as Companion Pass qualifying points even if the required spend finishes in early 2027.
A two-business-card path pairs the Premier Business 60,000 bonus after $3,000 in the first 3 months with the Performance Business 80,000 bonus and the 10,000 boost: 60,000 + 80,000 + 10,000 = 150,000. Timing both approvals by December 2, 2026 remains essential if the spend might finish after the year ends.
Card spend plus flying closes remaining gaps. Base points from paid Southwest flights booked through Southwest count in 2026, as do base points from Rapid Rewards partners. The Priority card earns 4x on Southwest purchases, so $1,000 in Southwest spend yields 4,000 points that count when posted to the Rapid Rewards account in 2026. Anniversary points also count if they post in the same calendar year. Only points posted on billing statements and to the Rapid Rewards account in 2026 count. Purchases after the December statement date post in January and miss the 2026 total.
Purchased points, transferred points, Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers, points from reward flights, and tier bonuses do not count. Mark those sources separately when tracking. The 10,000 boost posts once per calendar year for eligible cardmembers, by January 31 or within 30 days of account opening, and only one credit card account per member qualifies. Completing qualification by December 31, 2026 produces a Companion Pass valid for unlimited trips through December 31, 2027. Frequent flyers can also pursue the 100 qualifying one-way flights path as a parallel route. Related details appear in the Southwest credit card review.
Layering category bonus points from Southwest purchases on top of the welcome bonuses produces the fastest path under the timing rules. Align the December statement close date with planned spend so welcome-bonus spend and everyday purchases land in 2026. For a statement that closes on December 20, complete required purchases by that date. These combinations stay within the personal-card and business-card eligibility rules.
Companion Pass Progress Worksheet
This static worksheet tracks progress toward 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or 100 qualifying one-way flights in 2026. Enter only sources that count: card welcome bonuses, anniversary points, category bonus points, base flight points, base partner points, and the 10,000 annual boost. Sum the qualifying points and compare to the threshold. No JavaScript is required; the table is a simple input and math worksheet.
Inputs that do not count—purchased points, transferred points, Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers, reward-flight points, and tier bonuses—should be marked N and excluded from the running total. Only points posted on 2026 billing statements and to the Rapid Rewards account count; post-December statement activity does not. Record the statement close date next to each entry to confirm year placement.
Example filled row set using the Priority plus Performance Business combination:
| Input Category | Points Entered | Qualifying? (Y/N) | Running Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority welcome bonus | 60,000 | Y | 60,000 |
| Performance Business welcome bonus | 80,000 | Y | 140,000 |
| 10,000 annual boost | 10,000 | Y | 150,000 |
| Base flight points | 5,000 | Y | 155,000 |
| Anniversary points (Priority) | 7,500 | Y | 162,500 |
| Purchased points | 10,000 | N | 162,500 |
| Remaining to 135,000 | — | — | 0 (already exceeded) |
In the example, 60,000 + 80,000 + 10,000 = 150,000, which already clears 135,000 before any flight points. Adding 5,000 base flight points raises the total to 155,000. Adding 7,500 anniversary points (if posted in 2026) raises it further to 162,500. The purchased-points row is marked N and does not increase the running total. Each Y row is added to the prior running total.
To use the worksheet, list each source, enter the point amount, mark Y only if the source is one of the counting categories listed above, and add only the Y rows. Subtract the running total from 135,000 to find the remaining points needed, or track one-way flights separately toward 100. If the running total is already above 135,000, the remaining is zero. Approval by December 2, 2026 allows welcome bonuses to count even if spend completes in early 2027. Monitor the December statement date so all intended spend posts in 2026. The official Companion Pass page confirms the thresholds. Related calculation details appear in the Southwest Rapid Rewards points value guide.
Additional rows can be added for category bonus points from Southwest spend at the applicable multiplier. For instance, $2,500 in Southwest purchases on a Performance Business card (4x) produces 10,000 points that count when posted in 2026. Adding such rows keeps the worksheet complete. Completing the worksheet by December 31, 2026 and reaching either threshold produces a Companion Pass valid through December 31, 2027 under current rules. Update the table as points post to keep the running total current.
Winner-by-Profile Matrix
Different travelers reach Companion Pass in different ways under the rules in effect through December 31, 2026. The matrix matches common profiles to the path that fits the confirmed thresholds and card offers as of October 2026.
| Profile | Best Path | Key Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| High card spend, one personal + business | Priority + Performance Business + boost | 60,000 + 80,000 + 10,000 = 150,000 | Approve both by Dec 2 if spend may finish in 2027 |
| Two business cards | Premier Business + Performance Business + boost | 60,000 + 80,000 + 10,000 = 150,000 | Approval for two Chase business cards back to back isn't guaranteed |
| Frequent flyer | 100 qualifying one-way flights | 100 flights | Parallel path; base flight points also count toward the points threshold |
| Existing cardmember | Anniversary + category spend + flights | 7,500 anniversary (Priority) + 4x Southwest | Only one boost per member per year |
High-spend card users can prioritize the cards with the largest welcome bonuses that count toward Companion Pass qualifying points in 2026. Adding the one-time 10,000-point boost to the Priority and Performance Business bonuses produces the 150,000 total.
Action Plan
- Confirm eligibility for a personal Southwest card if you plan to apply for one (see the card rules above).
- Choose one personal card (for example Priority) plus one business card (for example Performance Business), or two business cards, and note the spend requirements: $2,000 for Priority, $5,000 for Performance Business, $3,000 for Premier Business.
- Apply on or before December 2, 2026 so welcome bonuses can count even if the spend finishes in early 2027.
- Track the December statement close date and complete required purchases before that date so points post in 2026.
- Confirm the 10,000 annual boost has posted or will post; only one credit card account per member qualifies each calendar year.
- Add base flight points and base partner points as they post; exclude purchased points, transferred points, Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers, reward-flight points, and tier bonuses.
- Monitor the running total against 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or 100 qualifying one-way flights.
- Once the threshold is met by December 31, 2026, the Companion Pass stays valid through December 31, 2027.
Start with the eligibility check because the personal-card rule limits stacking. Space applications if using that path. As of October 2026, the Priority card carries a $229 annual fee and the Performance Business card carries a $299 annual fee. The Southwest end-of-year communication details what counts in 2026. Related booking steps appear in how to book a Southwest award versus a cash fare.
Complete the welcome-bonus spend inside the first three months of each account opening. Points post after the spend requirement is met; allow time for the points to appear on the billing statement and in the Rapid Rewards account. Align everyday Southwest purchases with the December statement so the 4x or 3x multipliers land in 2026. Update the progress worksheet after each statement posts.
Common Pitfalls
The most frequent errors come from ignoring the one-personal-bonus rule and the December 2 timing nuance. Stacking two personal cards is not possible. Each business card bonus is blocked only by that same business card. (see the card rules above)
Missing the December 2, 2026 approval window means a welcome bonus may not count for 2026 even if the spend is completed later. Cardmembers approved on or before December 2, 2026 can have those points count even if the spend threshold is met in early 2027.
Only points posted on billing statements and to the Rapid Rewards account in the same calendar year count. Purchases after the December statement date post in January and do not count for that year. Expecting the 10,000-point boost to reset in a way that allows re-qualification under 2026 rules for a pass valid through 2028 is incorrect. The boost is one per calendar year under the current system. Companion Pass qualifying points are retired after December 31, 2026.
Counting purchased points, transferred points, or Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers is another error. Those sources do not count toward Companion Pass. Points from reward flights and tier bonuses are also excluded. Overlooking that 2027 no longer counts many card bonuses for TQPs creates a false plan for the next year. From 2027, new cardmember welcome bonuses, referral bonuses, anniversary points, bonus points from spend, and partner earning do not earn TQPs. Card spend earns 1 TQP per $1 starting January 1, 2027, but the bonus points do not.
Review how to book a Southwest award versus a cash fare so reward flights are not mistaken for qualifying activity. As of October 2026, these pitfalls are the most frequent reasons members fall short of the points or flights threshold by December 31, 2026. The 2026 rules still allow the full set of card points and base partner points. After December 31 those sources stop counting for the new TQP system. Plan the 2026 work with the posting dates and approval deadline in mind so the pass is secured for 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points or flights do I need for Companion Pass through Dec 31, 2026?
Through December 31, 2026, Companion Pass is earned with 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. The thresholds are stated on the official Companion Pass page. Points must post on billing statements and to the Rapid Rewards account in the same calendar year. The flight path counts qualifying one-way segments booked through Southwest. Either path qualifies independently. Completing either threshold by December 31, 2026 produces a Companion Pass valid through December 31, 2027 under current rules.
What counts toward Companion Pass qualifying points in 2026?
In 2026, Companion Pass qualifying points include points from Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards (including welcome bonuses, anniversary points and category bonus points), base points from paid Southwest flights, and base points from Rapid Rewards partners. The 10,000 annual boost also counts. Only points posted on billing statements and to the Rapid Rewards account in the same calendar year count. Category bonus points from Southwest purchases at the card's multiplier count when posted in 2026. Base partner points from hotels, cars, and other Rapid Rewards partners count; partner bonus points do not. The boost posts once per calendar year by January 31 or within 30 days of account opening, and only one credit card account per member is eligible.
What never counts toward Companion Pass?
Purchased points, transferred points, Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers, points from reward flights and tier bonuses do not count toward Companion Pass. These exclusions are listed on the official Companion Pass page. Mark non-counting sources separately when using the progress worksheet so they do not inflate the running total.
How does the December 2, 2026 approval rule work?
Cardmembers approved for a Rapid Rewards credit card on or before December 2, 2026 who meet the welcome bonus requirements can have those points count as Companion Pass qualifying points even if the spend threshold is met in early 2027. Credit card points posted to the Rapid Rewards account in 2026, including bonus points, count toward qualifying for a 2026 Companion Pass. Southwest hasn't said how bonus points that post in 2027 combine with a 2026 total, and a pass earned under current rules still ends December 31, 2027, so finishing later leaves less time to use it. Align the spend with the December statement date whenever possible so the points post in 2026.
How long does a Companion Pass earned in 2026 last?
A Companion Pass earned in 2026 under current rules stays valid for unlimited Companion Pass trips through December 31, 2027. The benefit covers the remainder of the year in which it is earned plus the following full calendar year under the current rules. After December 31, 2027 the unlimited benefit is no longer available under the 2026 qualification system. Companion Pass members can change their designated companion up to three times each calendar year. Companion fares exclude taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way.
What is the 2027 three-trip milestone?
The 2027 Milestone Reward between Gold and Platinum is 95,000 TQPs or 75 qualifying one-way flights and unlocks three Companion Pass trips, each good for one one-way or round-trip itinerary. Either path qualifies. This milestone sits between Gold (65,000 TQPs or 50 flights) and Platinum (140,000 TQPs or 100 flights). The three trips are a limited benefit distinct from the unlimited Companion Pass that comes with Platinum status. From 2027, Companion Pass benefits are earned via Tier Qualifying Points or qualifying flights; Companion Pass qualifying points are retired after December 31, 2026.
How does 2027 Platinum unlock unlimited Companion Pass trips?
2027 Platinum status of 140,000 TQPs or 100 qualifying one-way flights unlocks unlimited Companion Pass trips. Either path (TQPs or flights) qualifies. Platinum is the top tier in the 2027 system. Silver is 35,000 TQPs or 25 qualifying flights and Gold is 65,000 TQPs or 50. The unlimited benefit replaces the 2026 Companion Pass structure. Card spend earns 1 TQP per $1 starting January 1, 2027, but welcome bonuses, anniversary points, category bonus points from spend, and partner earning do not earn TQPs from 2027.
What is the 2027 130,000-TQP boost?
In 2027, cardmembers who reach 130,000 TQPs receive a one-time 10,000 TQP boost that can help them qualify for Platinum status valid through December 31, 2028. This is a separate 2027 feature and does not reset the 2026 boost. The 2026 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost is one per calendar year under the current system and does not carry forward to allow re-qualification under 2026 rules for a pass valid through 2028. The 2027 boost is tied to the TQP system and helps toward Platinum status. It is not a continuation of the 2026 Companion Pass qualifying points boost.
Bottom Line
Earn the Companion Pass in 2026 by combining one personal Southwest card with one business card, or two business cards, plus the 10,000 annual boost and careful timing. Priority 60,000 plus Performance Business 80,000 plus the boost equals 150,000, clearing the 135,000-point threshold. Approve by December 2, 2026 so the bonuses can count even if spend finishes in early 2027. A pass earned under current rules remains valid through December 31, 2027.