Major Southwest Changes
Southwest Companion Pass isn’t dead, but soon it might as well be for a lot of people. It’s about to become a lot harder to earn for most. Starting January 1, 2027, Southwest Airlines will make earth-shattering changes to its Rapid Rewards program. The airline will overhaul its loyalty structure, including three elite status tiers and new milestone rewards. The requirements for earning the coveted Companion Pass will change drastically. You will no longer be able to work toward Companion Pass through credit card welcome offers, referral bonuses, anniversary points, bonus points from category spending or partner activities such as hotel stays or car rentals. Here’s what to know about these major Southwest changes.
What Is Happening to Companion Pass?
For years, Companion Pass has been one of the greatest travel perks available, allowing eligible Southwest flyers to bring a designated companion along on unlimited flights for just the cost of taxes and fees. As Southwest has undergone some massive culture shifts and changes in recent years, some have worried that this benefit would be discontinued. We’ve now learned that Companion Pass will live on—but the accessible version many travelers have come to know and love will change dramatically.
First and foremost: If you have already earned Companion Pass under the existing rules for 2027, do not panic. You’ll keep your unlimited Companion Pass benefits through December 31, 2027. But starting next year, the new path toward earning Companion Pass will look completely different. Currently, travelers can earn Companion Pass by accumulating 135,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points or completing 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. Collecting points through credit card welcome bonuses, certain partner activities and everyday spending made the qualification threshold relatively attainable.
Starting in 2027, no more. As part of the major Southwest changes, the airline is eliminating Companion Pass qualifying points as a separate earning currency. Instead, travelers will qualify for Companion Pass benefits through Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or qualifying flights. Under the new program, there will be two ways to earn Companion Pass benefits:
- 95,000 TQPs or 75 qualifying one-way flights: Earn three Companion Pass trips as a milestone reward. Each trip can be used for a one-way or round-trip itinerary with your designated companion.
- 140,000 TQPs or 100 qualifying one-way flights: Earn Platinum status, which includes unlimited Companion Pass trips.
Will Credit Card Welcome Bonuses Still Qualify?
Most of the activities that previously helped travelers earn Companion Pass will no longer count toward qualification. Starting in 2027, the following will still earn redeemable Rapid Rewards points but will NOT earn Tier Qualifying Points:
- Credit card welcome bonuses
- Credit card referral bonuses
- Anniversary bonus points
- Bonus points from credit card category spending (such as earning 2X points on gas)
- Points earned through hotel, rental car and other partner spending
So, how can you work toward those 140,000 TQPs? Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card holders will earn one Tier Qualifying Point for every $1 spent on their cards. In 2027, co-branded credit cardmembers who reach 130,000 TQPs during the year will receive a one-time 10,000-TQP boost, helping them reach the 140,000-point Platinum threshold. That means $130,000 in credit card spend will unlock Platinum and unlimited Companion Pass trips next year. The resulting Platinum status will be valid through December 31, 2028. More on Platinum status below.
What Other Changes Is Southwest Making?
The airline is completely restructuring its elite status program, adding milestone rewards and introducing new ways to redeem points. Let’s look at each of these major Southwest changes.
New Elite Status Tiers
Say goodbye to A-List and A-List Preferred. Beginning January 1, 2027, Southwest’s current tiers will be replaced by Silver and Gold, respectively. Plus, it will add a new Platinum tier. Note that existing Southwest credit card benefits, including a first checked bag free, boarding no later than Group 5, and complimentary pre-flight seat selection, will also remain available under applicable card terms. Here’s how the new tiers will work:
| Benefit | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification | 35,000 TQPs or 25 flights | 65,000 TQPs or 50 flights | 140,000 TQPs or 100 qualifying flights |
| Seat selection | Preferred or Standard at booking | Any available seat at booking | Any seat at booking |
| Boarding | Group 1 | Before Group 1 | Before Gold and Group 1 |
| Free checked bags | 1 | Up to 2 | Up to 3 |
| Flight points bonus | 40% | 60% | 120% |
| Unlimited Companion Pass | No | No | Yes |
Members will be able to earn TQPs by:
- Completing travel on qualifying flights operated by Southwest
- Making purchases on Southwest’s credit cards or debit card
- Completing qualifying Getaways by Southwest® vacation bookings or travel on qualifying Southwest Groups bookings
New Milestone Rewards
Travelers can earn these new rewards before reaching the following elite status levels.
- 20,000 TQPs or 15 qualifying flights: Members can choose between 2,000 Rapid Rewards points or two Preferred Seat Certificates.
- 95,000 TQPs or 75 qualifying flights: Members will receive three Companion Pass trips. As noted above, each trip can be used for a one-way or round-trip itinerary.
New Ways to Redeem Points
Beginning in Spring 2027, the airline aims to roll out additional redemption opportunities. While these changes make Rapid Rewards points more versatile in theory, I wouldn’t get too excited until we learn about pricing and availability. New options for points redemptions are set to include:
- International travel through airline partners including China Airlines, Etihad Airways and Icelandair
- Rental cars
- Seat selection, including Preferred and Extra Legroom seats
More on the Way: Lounges and a New Premium Credit Card
If you can find it in yourself to be excited about other Southwest changes today, the airline is teasing more news about its forthcoming lounge plans and premium card.
- The airline will open Southwest Icon Lounge locations at select airports.
- A new premium Southwest credit card will be introduced, and its benefits will include access to these lounges.
What Should You Do Now?
The clock is officially ticking on taking advantage of the existing Companion Pass rules. If you’ve been considering earning Companion Pass, the remaining weeks of 2026 may be your best opportunity to do so before the major Southwest changes take effect. Here are a few options to consider:
- Qualify for Companion Pass in 2026: If you earn Companion Pass by December 31, 2026, you’ll keep unlimited companion travel through December 31, 2027. So if you are already close to the current 135,000-point threshold, you can qualify using the strategies outlined in our guide to the Companion Pass.
- Qualify for Companion Pass in early 2027: Cardmembers who are approved for a Southwest card on or before Dec. 2, 2026 and meet the requirements for the welcome bonus will have those points counted as Companion Pass-qualifying, even if the spend threshold is met in early 2027, according to Southwest’s FAQ. Depending on your welcome offer(s), though, you may still have a long way to go even after earning the bonus(es). And remember that you’ll want to be 2/24 or lower if going for a combination business card and personal card strategy, thanks to the new Chase 3/24 rule for business cards.
Major Southwest Changes: ToP Thoughts
Are we saying RIP to Southwest Companion Pass? Not quite, but the Companion Pass strategy we’ve long known is about to be buried. The 2027 major Southwest changes will tie the unlimited version of Companion Pass to its new Platinum status, which will require 140,000 TQPs or 100 qualifying flights. And the methods for earning those TQPs will be much more limited. Credit card welcome bonuses, referral bonuses, anniversary bonus points, bonus points from credit card category spending and points earned through hotel, rental car and other partner spending will all no longer qualify.
This is no doubt a devastating blow to those who have relied on Companion Pass as part of their travel strategy. But as with all devaluations, we will adapt and find new sweet spots. If you are committed to earning the Companion Pass, now is the time to evaluate your strategy. Tell us your thoughts over in our ToP Facebook group.
