Traveling with family can be expensive, but one of the best-kept secrets for budget-friendly travel is using an airline companion pass. With the right strategy, a companion pass can help you save hundreds—or even thousands—on airfare by allowing one person to fly for free (or at a heavily reduced rate) when you buy a ticket for yourself.

In this post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about airline companion passes, how to earn them, and tips for maximizing your savings. We’ll cover:

  • What is a companion pass?
  • Popular airline companion passes (including Southwest and Alaska Airlines)
  • How to earn and use companion passes
  • Insider tips for maximizing your travel rewards
  • Potential restrictions or limitations you should know
  • How to strategically combine a companion pass with other travel rewards

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of how companion passes work and how you can use them to enjoy nearly free travel for your family.

What Is an Airline Companion Pass?

An airline companion pass allows you to bring a second person on your flight either for free or for a heavily discounted rate (you usually only pay taxes and fees) when you purchase a full-fare ticket for yourself. Essentially, it’s like a buy-one-get-one-free offer on airfare.

Companion passes are most valuable for people who fly frequently with a specific airline, as they allow you to save significantly on flights over time. Most companion passes are tied to airline loyalty programs or airline-branded credit cards, and they often require you to meet certain spending or flying thresholds before earning the pass.

The two most well-known companion passes in the U.S. are offered by Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines, though some other airlines and credit card programs offer similar benefits.

Popular Companion Pass Programs

Let’s take a closer look at two of the most popular and valuable companion pass programs: Southwest Airlines Companion Pass and Alaska Airlines Companion Fare.

1. Southwest Airlines Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most generous travel perks in the industry. Once you earn the pass, you can designate one person to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) every time you book a flight, whether it’s with cash or points.

How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass:

  • You need to earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year, or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights.
  • Points can be earned through a combination of methods, including flights, Southwest credit card spending, dining, and hotel partnerships.

Benefits:

  • The pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it and the entire next year.
  • You can change your designated companion up to three times during the pass’s validity period.
  • It applies to both paid flights and flights booked with points, which means you can maximize the value of both your points and your companion pass.

Costs: You only pay taxes and fees, which generally range from $5.60 to $50 depending on the route and destination.

Example: If you book a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to New York for $300, your companion can join you for free (aside from the small taxes and fees), saving you $300 on the ticket.

2. Alaska Airlines Companion Fare

Alaska Airlines offers its Companion Fare through the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card. The companion fare allows you to bring one person with you for $99 plus taxes and fees when you purchase a full-price ticket. This offer is renewed annually for credit card holders.

How to Earn the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare:

  • You receive a companion fare code upon opening the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card and paying the annual fee (currently $75).
  • You’ll receive another companion fare code each year on your account anniversary as long as your credit card is active.

Benefits:

  • The fare can be used for any Alaska Airlines flights, including one-way, round-trip, or multi-city bookings.
  • You can use it for first-class tickets, making it one of the few companion passes that apply to premium cabins.
  • There are no blackout dates or flight restrictions.

Costs: The companion fare costs $99 plus taxes and fees, which typically add up to around $22-$40.

Example: If you book a $600 round-trip flight from Seattle to Hawaii, your companion will only pay $99 plus taxes, saving you up to $500 on the second ticket.

How to Earn a Companion Pass

Now that you know about the two most popular companion passes, let’s dive into the best strategies for earning these passes.

1. Use a Co-Branded Credit Card

The easiest and fastest way to earn a companion pass is by applying for an airline’s co-branded credit card. For example, Southwest offers several credit cards through Chase that allow you to earn Rapid Rewards points for everyday purchases. These points count toward the 135,000-point threshold needed to earn the Southwest Companion Pass.

  • Sign-Up Bonus: Credit cards often come with sign-up bonuses, such as 50,000-80,000 points after spending a certain amount (usually around $3,000-$5,000) in the first three months. This bonus can help you reach the companion pass qualification faster.
  • Everyday Spending: Use your credit card for regular expenses like groceries, gas, dining, and utilities to accumulate points. Every dollar spent gets you closer to earning the pass.

2. Leverage Special Promotions

Airlines often run special promotions or bonuses throughout the year. For example, Southwest may offer double points on flights booked during specific times or additional points when booking with certain hotel or car rental partners. Keep an eye on promotions, as they can accelerate your progress toward earning a companion pass.

3. Pool Points from Multiple Sources

Airline loyalty programs often partner with hotels, car rentals, and dining programs that allow you to earn additional points. By booking hotel stays, car rentals, or even dining out through these partners, you can accumulate extra points for your companion pass.

How to Use a Companion Pass for Maximum Value

Earning a companion pass is just the beginning. To get the most out of your pass, you’ll need to plan your trips strategically. Here are some tips to maximize your savings:

1. Book Early to Avoid Rising Airfare Prices

To get the best value out of your companion pass, book your flights early. As the departure date approaches, airline ticket prices tend to increase. By booking early, you lock in lower prices for your ticket and ensure that your companion flies for free or at a discounted rate.

2. Use the Companion Pass on High-Cost Routes

The true value of a companion pass comes when you use it on high-cost routes, such as cross-country flights or international destinations. For example, using your Southwest Companion Pass on a $500 round-trip flight from California to Hawaii provides significant savings compared to using it on a $100 short-haul flight.

3. Combine Points and Companion Pass

Southwest’s unique policy allows you to use points to book your ticket and still bring a companion for free. For example, if you book a flight with 15,000 Rapid Rewards points, your companion can still fly with you for only the taxes and fees. This is a fantastic way to stretch your points and travel for almost no cost.

4. Take Advantage of Unlimited Use

One of the best things about the Southwest Companion Pass is that it offers unlimited use for the duration of its validity. You can use it as many times as you want, allowing you to book multiple trips throughout the year with your companion traveling for free each time.

5. Maximize Off-Peak Travel

While companion passes don’t have blackout dates, you’ll get better value when you book during off-peak travel periods, as ticket prices are generally lower. This allows you to save more and fly more frequently with your companion.

Potential Restrictions and Limitations

While companion passes are incredibly valuable, it’s important to be aware of any restrictions or limitations:

  • Taxes and Fees: Even though your companion’s base fare is free, you’ll still need to pay taxes and fees, which can range from a few dollars for domestic flights to higher amounts for international travel.
  • Flight Availability: The availability of seats for companion pass redemptions may be limited, especially during peak travel times. Booking early is key to securing seats for both you and your companion.
  • Change Fees: Some airlines may charge a fee for changing the designated companion. Southwest allows you to change your companion up to three times per year, but other airlines may be less flexible.

How to Combine a Companion Pass with Other Travel Rewards

One of the most powerful ways to save money is by combining a companion pass with other travel rewards, such as points or miles earned through your credit card or airline loyalty program. Here’s how to get the most out of both:

1. Use Points for the First Ticket

If you have accumulated enough points through an airline or travel credit card, you can use points to cover the cost of your first ticket and still apply the companion pass. This means your out-of-pocket cost will only be the taxes and fees for both tickets, resulting in nearly free travel for two people.

2. Pair with Hotel Rewards Programs

Many airline credit cards are part of a broaderpairing them with hotel rewards programs. For example, if you use your airline companion pass to book a flight, you can also redeem points for a free or discounted hotel stay through programs like World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, or Hilton Honors. This way, your travel expenses are minimal, covering only taxes, fees, and any incidental costs during your stay.

3. Stack Credit Card Perks

If you have a travel rewards credit card, use it to pay for your airfare (if not using points) and earn additional points on the purchase. Some cards also offer travel protections like trip cancellation insurance, baggage insurance, and rental car discounts, which can further enhance your travel experience while saving you money.

4. Use Shopping Portals for Additional Points

Before booking your flights or making any travel-related purchases, check if your airline or credit card offers a shopping portal where you can earn additional points for online purchases. By stacking these points with your companion pass, you can accumulate even more rewards for future travel.

Conclusion: Unlock Free Travel with Companion Passes

Companion passes are one of the most valuable travel perks available, allowing you to fly with a companion for free or at a reduced rate. Whether you’re taking advantage of Southwest Airlines’ unlimited companion pass or Alaska Airlines’ annual companion fare, these travel hacks can help you stretch your travel budget and enjoy more trips with your family.

By strategically earning a companion pass, combining it with other travel rewards, and booking smartly, you can enjoy free (or nearly free) travel for two. If you’re serious about maximizing your travel savings, now is the time to start working toward earning your companion pass and planning your next adventure!

What are your favorite travel hacks for using a companion pass? Share your tips below!