Let’s be real for a second. If you aren’t flying for free—or at least having someone else fly for free with you—you’re doing Southwest wrong. I’m talking about the legendary Southwest buddy pass credit card strategy. Most people call it the Companion Pass, but whatever name you give it, the "buy one, get one" deal is easily the best value in the sky.
But here is the thing. 2026 is a massive year for Southwest. They’ve basically torn up the old playbook. Assigned seating is coming. New fare classes are live. If you’re still trying to earn the pass the way you did in 2022, you’re going to mess up the math.
The 135,000 Point Mountain
To get the pass, you need to earn 135,000 qualifying points in a single calendar year. That sounds like a lot. It is. Honestly, unless you’re a consultant living in airports, you aren't going to get there just by flying.
That’s where the credit cards come in.
Chase and Southwest offer a handful of cards, and the sign-up bonuses are the "cheat code." But there’s a trap. If you earn those points in November, you get the pass for the rest of that year and the next. Cool, right? Wrong. If you earn them in January, you get the pass for almost two full years.
That is the difference between 13 months of free flights and 23 months. Don't be the person who finishes their minimum spend on December 30th. You’ll hate yourself on January 1st when your counter resets to zero.
The New 2026 Reality
Southwest has updated their card perks to match their new seating model. For flights departing on or after January 27, 2026, the old "boarding group" anxiety is shifting.
- The Priority Card now gives you a Preferred seat at booking.
- The Plus and Premier versions give you a Standard seat within 48 hours of takeoff.
- The "Boost" is still a thing. Every cardholder gets a 10,000-point head start every year.
This means you actually only need to earn 125,000 points. Still a climb, but a 10,000-point gift makes the summit feel a lot closer.
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Why One Card Usually Isn't Enough
Most personal card bonuses hover around 50,000 to 80,000 points. Do the math. Even with the 10,000-point boost, you’re still way short of 135,000.
The "pro" move? The Southwest buddy pass credit card double-dip.
You generally can't have two personal Southwest cards at the same time. Chase is strict about that. But you can have one personal card and one business card. If you have a side hustle—selling on eBay, freelancing, even a small consulting gig—you probably qualify for a business card.
The Southwest Performance Business Credit Card often has a massive bonus, sometimes 80,000 points or more. Combine that with a personal card bonus, and you’ve crossed the finish line before February even starts.
What Actually Counts (And What's a Waste of Time)
Not all points are created equal. This is where people get heartbroken.
I’ve seen travelers transfer 100,000 points from Chase Ultimate Rewards (like from a Sapphire Preferred) thinking they just unlocked the Companion Pass. They didn't. Transferred points from credit card partners do not count toward the pass. They are great for booking the flight itself, but they won't help you earn the status.
Points that DO count:
- Sign-up bonuses from any Southwest credit card.
- Points earned from daily spending on those cards.
- The 10,000-point annual boost for cardholders.
- Base points from Southwest partner hotels and car rentals.
- Rapid Rewards Shopping portal purchases.
If you’re short by 5,000 points at the end of the month, don't just buy them. Purchased points don't count either. Instead, go buy some flowers or a new vacuum through the Southwest shopping portal. It’s a boring way to spend an afternoon, but it saves you hundreds on airfare later.
Managing the "Assigned Seating" Shift
Since Southwest is moving to assigned seats in early 2026, the value of the Southwest buddy pass credit card has actually changed. In the old days, you’d add your companion, and then you’d both have to check in exactly 24 hours early to hope for seats together. It was a stressful dance.
Now, if you have the Priority Card, you can grab those Preferred seats right when you book. Your companion? They’re essentially a "plus one" on your reservation. Because the cards now offer "Group 5" boarding or better for you and up to eight people on your itinerary, the days of sitting in the very last row next to the lavatory are mostly over.
The Strategy for Right Now
If you want the pass for the maximum amount of time, here is the sequence. It’s not rocket science, but it requires discipline.
First, check your "5/24" status. If you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months, Chase will likely say no.
Second, apply for the cards in late October or November. This feels counterintuitive. However, you want to spend most of the required amount in December, but make sure that last $1—the one that triggers the bonus—doesn't happen until January 1st.
Once that bonus hits your January statement, it counts for 2026. Since the pass is valid for the year you earn it plus the next full year, you’re locked in through December 31, 2027.
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Final Insights for 2026 Travelers
The Companion Pass isn't just for couples. You can change your designated companion up to three times per year. I’ve used it for my spouse for six months, then changed it to a friend for a Vegas trip, then back again.
Just remember that you have to pay the taxes and fees for the companion. For domestic flights, it’s usually just $5.60 each way. International is more, obviously, but still a pittance compared to a full fare.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your eligibility: Ensure you haven't received a Southwest personal card bonus in the last 24 months.
- Audit your business status: If you have any 1099 income, look at the Performance Business card first for the higher bonus.
- Time the finish: Set a calendar alert for January 1st to complete your "minimum spend" and trigger the points in the new year.
- Link your accounts: Make sure your Rapid Rewards number is on the application so the 10,000-point boost hits the right account by January 31st.