Southwest Airlines: Can You Earn a Companion Pass With Just One Flight?

Southwest Airlines has launched a popular Limited-time Companion Pass promotion. This offer allows Rapid Rewards members to fly a friend for free this fall. The promotional pass is one of the most valuable airline loyalty program benefits available. It is a strategic move to boost bookings during a slower travel period.

Key Promotion Details

To earn this temporary benefit, members must meet specific requirements. The promotion is only available for a very short time.

• Register First: Members must register for the Southwest Rapid Rewards promotion online. Registration must be completed before booking and travel.
• Booking Deadline: Members must book one round trip or two one-way qualifying flights. The booking must be completed by 11:59 p.m. CT on February 5, 2026.
• Travel Period: The qualifying flight(s) must be flown by March 31, 2026.

This flash sale offers a significant shortcut to the Companion Pass. The normal qualification requires 100 one-way flights or 135,000 qualifying points.

Companion Pass Validity and Value

The promotional pass is valid for travel between August 10 and October 7, 2026. This covers a key travel period outside of the peak summer season. The Companion Pass allows the designated person to fly for free on unlimited flights. The companion only pays the mandatory Companion Pass taxes and fees. These fees start at $5.60 one-way.

This is essentially a Southwest BOGO flight deal for two months. It applies whether the member pays with cash or redeems points. All fare classes, including the new Basic option, are eligible.

Strategic Impact on Southwest

These limited-time offers are a recurring part of the Southwest Airlines loyalty program strategy. They successfully drive immediate bookings and new Rapid Rewards enrollment. The short Southwest flight booking deadline creates urgency. This urgency encourages travelers to finalize their early-year travel plans. The airline benefits from increased revenue and customer engagement. This helps fill seats on flights that must travel by March 31. The promotional pass is then valid during the quieter fall shoulder season. This helps maintain passenger load factors after the summer rush. Members should visit the Southwest Airlines website for full terms. They must ensure their travel meets all requirements to earn the promotional pass.

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