Advertiser Disclosure: The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Are you a mom dreaming of traveling more with your family without the huge cost of airfare? With the Southwest Companion Pass, you can bring a family member along on flights for free (just pay taxes and fees).

Even better, by strategically using three credit cards, you and your partner can both earn a Companion Pass—making family vacations much more affordable! Here’s how to do it.

What is the Southwest Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most valuable travel perks for families. It allows you to bring a companion, such as a spouse or child, on any Southwest flight for nearly free—just pay taxes and fees. To qualify, you need to accumulate 135,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points within a calendar year, and you’ll enjoy the pass for the rest of that year and the entire following year. While 135,000 points may sound like a lot, it's easier to achieve than you might think—especially since you can earn the points without even flying.

Why Use 3 Cards? Think Long-Term

While it’s possible for two people to earn the Companion Pass with just two credit cards (one personal and one business), this limits your ability to earn the pass again in the future. Using three cards is a better long-term strategy because it allows you to earn the pass more than once, keeping your travel rewards flowing for years to come. If you don't think you can qualify for a business card, you might be surprised. Read this post for more on that.

Step-by-Step Guide to Earning Two Southwest Companion Passes

These steps are for anyone who wants to earn the pass for the full two years. If you don’t plan to use it right away, you can start anytime in 2025. The method below is for those trying to earn the pass as early as possible. If making the required spending so quickly feels stressful, or you’re worried about losing track, don’t worry—you can wait until 2025 and simply earn the pass a little later. The most important thing to remember is that your points must post after January 1. If you plan to earn two passes and repeat this in the future, use the same three cards listed below and follow the steps in a timeline that works for you. If you apply for any Southwest card in 2024, the points must post after January to count toward the Companion Pass. Follow the steps below if you want the pass for the full 24 months.

Step 1: Partner One (P1) Opens a Business Card

To start, P1 should apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card.

The current welcome offer is: bonus_miles_full.

Plan to spend all but $750 of the minimum spend requirement. Why? Some people have reported having their points awarded early when they were within $500. After completing the spending requirement IN JANUARY, P1 will have 85,000 points (80,000 from the bonus + 5,000 from spending). However, they’re still short 50,000 points to reach the 135,000 needed for the Companion Pass.

Step 2: Referrals Close the Gap

AFTER YOUR DECEMBER STATEMENT CLOSES, P1 should refer P2 to apply for a Southwest personal card. Remember, if you refer too early, your referral points can post in December instead of January.

P1 can refer P2 to one of these cards:

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

My recommendation is the Plus card, but you can choose which one fits you best. You’ll apply for whichever one you don't choose in 24 months when you’re ready to earn the pass again. The welcome offer on both cards right now is: bonus_miles_full.

After P2 has gotten within $750 of the personal card minimum spend, P1 will also refer P2 to the lower minimum spend business card (just to make meeting your spending easier):

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

For each referral, P1 earns 20,000 points, so referring P2 to two cards will give P1 an additional 40,000 points. Now, P1 has a total of 125,000 points (85,000 from the business card and 40,000 from referrals). Almost there!

Step 3: Southwest’s 10,000 Bonus Points

One of the best perks of holding a Southwest credit card is that 10,000 bonus points are automatically added to your Companion Pass tracker in January. These points cannot be used for flights, but they DO count toward your Companion Pass, meaning P1 will hit 135,000 points and officially qualify for the Companion Pass.

Step 4: Partner Two (P2) Opens Two Cards

P2 should apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card. This card has the lower minimum spend requirement, making it easier to meet. You’ll bonus_miles as the introductory welcome offer.

P2 should also apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card. This card allows you to bonus_miles as the introductory welcome offer.

By meeting the spending requirements on both cards, P2 will also hit the 135,000 points needed to earn their Companion Pass.

Sample Schedule

Here’s a sample schedule for those of you that are visual learners:

Conclusion: How to Keep Earning Companion Passes in the Future

After you and your partner both earn the Companion Pass, you’ll want to repeat this process in the future. Personal Southwest cards fall under a 24-month restriction—meaning you can’t earn another bonus on any personal Southwest card for two years. The good news is, although under the same 24 month rule to re earn a bonus, business cards are treated as separate products. In two years, swap who opens which cards, and you’ll be able to continue earning the Companion Pass every couple of years!

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.