The Southwest Companion Pass is legendary. Earn 110,000 Rapid Rewards points and depending on your designated companion flies FREE for up to two years! The Companion Pass is probably the best tool out there for people who want to travel “for free” (plus taxes and fees).
Well now there’s a quick and easy way to get the Companion pass after making a single purchase. Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, make a purchase and get the Companion Pass ~8 weeks later. No minimum spend require. Unless you also want to earn the 40,000 point sign-up bonus – and even that’s reasonable at $1,000.
Most people get the Companion Pass after applying for both a Southwest Premier Visa and Business card. The combined sign-up bonuses are usually close enough to the 110,000 point requirement that a relatively small amount of spend (i.e. ~$10,000) gets them to the finish line.
But with the Chase 5/24 Rule in place, not everyone can qualify for two Southwest credit cards. Spending $50,000+ on a single credit card could lead to a shut-down and while there are other options, they all involve some level of hassle. Luckily, this single-purchase offer makes it incredibly easy to earn the Companion Pass.
The catch? For starters, this offer only seems to be for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, which carries a 3% foreign transaction fee when used abroad. Additionally, the sign-up bonus is currently just 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first three months.
That’s the same bonus as the Premier version of the card. The point is, you’re potentially giving up 20,000 points by choosing this lower sign-up bonus.
We may not see a 60,000 point bonus on the personal card for two years – who knows. But it’s something to be aware of. That being said, if you end up saving 20,000 or more points by using the Companion Pass, then this offer is worth getting in on.
It’s also worth noting that this version of the Companion Pass is only valid through December 31, 2018. If you wait until January to earn the Companion Pass, it’s valid through December 31, 2019. By holding off for two months, you’ll not only get to have the Companion Pass for an additional year but you may even qualify for a higher sign-up bonus.
Again, I’m totally speculating because there may not be a higher offer in January. And if you’re close to 5/24 and want to get in on a great offer before applying for other credit cards, this deal may be for you. Plus, if you have upcoming travel on Southwest (involving a companion), you may earn tons of cash and points.
Be sure to take advantage of this single-spend Companion Pass offer through November 30, 2017. This seems to be a targeted promotion, since my dad got an email about it but I did not. Not that I’d qualify at this point, being 9/24 and all.
Are you going to take advantage of this offer to earn the Southwest Companion Pass after a single purchase? Or will you wait until January to qualify for a 2-year pass?
This offer is only available to California residents.
I am a CA resident, and I got this offer but it was unclear to me if it was a regular pass or a limited version.
From your post, it appears that it is a limited version of the card.
If it is only available for use until the end 2018 and there is no possibility to extend it for the 2 years since this offers expires on Nov 30 2017 (no possibility to wait till January).
Is that your understanding of it?
I live in CA and did not receive any mail for this special offer. Any link to apply this special version SW car?
It is limited. Good through the end of next year only, unfortunately.