Southwest Airlines is launching a new companion pass promotion. The Dallas based carrier typically offers Companion Pass status to frequent flyers which allows them to designate one passenger that can fly with them for free whenever they book a ticket using cash or points. Now, for a limited time, you can get your hands on a Companion Pass while doing much less flying.
Jennifer Bridie, Vice President of Marketing at Southwest Airlines, had this to say about the promotion:
“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. Earlier this year, we launched Cash + Points, giving our Customers extra flexibility to make their points go further. And now, for the first time, Members can use their Rapid Rewards points, a combination of cash and points, or other eligible forms of payment to book qualifying flights that count toward this Companion Pass promotion.”
In order to qualify for the promotional Companion Pass you have to act fast as registration is only open until September 5th. In order to qualify for the pass, Rapid Rewards members must:
- Register for the promotion and purchase a qualifying Southwest flight (one round trip or two one-way qualifying flights), by Sept. 5, 2024.
- Travel by Nov. 20, 2024; and
- Designate a Companion to fly for free with them.
Once the above conditions are met, you’ll receive complimentary Companion Pass status between January 6, 2025, and March 6, 2025.
Companion Pass Promotion Comes Amid Changes at Southwest
The Companion Pass promotion is coming amid a swath of changes at the carrier. An activist investor is actively putting pressure on the airline, calling for the removal of senior leadership, and the carrier recently announced plans to assign seats and operate redeye flights.
We’ve seen Southwest run a similar promotion in years past as the early part of the year isn’t typically a busy time for the airline. This promotion helps them fill up planes and get some great brand goodwill from passengers. Mrs. ATX and I took part in one of these promotions a couple of years ago and used the flights to do quite a bit of skiing.
Thanks to Southwest’s flexible cancellation policy, it may be worth registering for the promotion and purchasing flights now even if you’re unsure whether you’ll fly by the November 20th deadline. It doesn’t cost anything to sign up after all.
Summary
Southwest Airlines is launching a new promotion that will grant Rapid Rewards members with a complimentary Companion Pass between January 6th and March 6th, 2025. All you have to do is register and book two qualifying flights by September 5th and travel by November 20th in order to receive the status.
Are you planning to register for this promotion?
