Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest’s loyalty program — home to the most valuable benefit in U.S. credit card rewards: the Companion Pass, which lets a designated companion fly with you for just taxes and fees on every flight for up to two years. The 2025-2026 program transformation ended free checked bags, open seating, and several signature Southwest policies — but the Companion Pass remains intact, making Rapid Rewards uniquely valuable for domestic family travel despite the changes.
Southwest is the domestic family travel specialist — not for everyone, but uniquely powerful for the right reader
Southwest Rapid Rewards is fundamentally different from the other “big four” U.S. airline programs (Delta, United, American). Southwest has no premium cabin product, limited international reach, and no elite alliance affiliation. What it offers instead is the most valuable single benefit in U.S. credit card rewards: the Companion Pass, which lets a designated companion fly with you for just taxes and fees on every Southwest flight for up to two years. For families and couples flying domestically several times per year, this benefit alone can deliver $1,500-4,000+ in annual value.
The 2025-2026 program changes have legitimately weakened Southwest’s overall value proposition: free checked bags ended in May 2025, open seating ended January 27, 2026, new fare classes (Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra) replaced the signature Wanna Get Away tiers, and award pricing now varies dynamically rather than being tied to a fixed formula. Yet the Companion Pass remains unchanged — and that’s what defines whether Rapid Rewards is right for you. Domestic family flyer who can earn and use the pass? Southwest is genuinely one of the best programs available. International traveler or premium cabin focused? Skip Southwest entirely and focus on transferable points programs with broader reach.
What is Southwest Rapid Rewards?
Rapid Rewards is Southwest Airlines’ loyalty program — earned through flying Southwest, holding a Southwest cobranded Chase credit card, transferring from Chase Ultimate Rewards (the only major transferable points program with Southwest access), or earning through Southwest’s partner programs (dining, shopping portal, hotel partners). Rapid Rewards points redeem only for flights on Southwest — there’s no alliance, no major international partner network (yet), and no premium cabin to redeem points toward.
The program’s value comes from three sources: (1) simplicity — points value is tied roughly to cash prices at ~1.3-1.5¢ per point, with no blackout dates; (2) miles never expire; and (3) the Companion Pass — the single most valuable benefit in U.S. credit card rewards. Southwest announced new international partnerships in 2025 but bookings remained unavailable through Southwest channels as of early 2026 — these international partner redemptions may become available later in 2026, opening new value paths.
The Companion Pass — most valuable benefit in U.S. credit card rewards
The Southwest Companion Pass lets you designate one person to fly with you on Southwest for just taxes and fees (~$5.60 each way domestic) on every flight you book — whether paying with cash or points. Earn it, and you keep it for the remainder of the qualifying year plus the entire following calendar year. Earn it early in a year, and you can hold it for nearly two full years of unlimited companion travel.
Despite all the 2025-2026 changes to Southwest, the Companion Pass remains structurally unchanged. You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year — meaning the pass works for spouses, partners, kids, friends, or anyone else. For a family of four flying eight Southwest round-trips per year, the Companion Pass alone delivers $1,500-4,000 in annual value. This is why the Companion Pass remains the central reason most points-and-miles strategists hold Southwest credit cards.
The 2025-2026 Southwest transformation
Southwest underwent the most significant program changes in its history during 2025-2026, ending several signature policies that had defined the airline since its founding. Understanding these changes is essential for any reader evaluating whether Rapid Rewards still makes sense for their travel patterns.
End of “Bags Fly Free”
Southwest ended its universal free checked bag policy. Most passengers now pay $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second. Southwest cobranded credit cardholders still receive first checked bag free for cardholder + 8 passengers on the same reservation.
End of open seating
Southwest’s iconic open-boarding system was replaced with assigned seating for flights operating on or after January 27, 2026. A-List and A-List Preferred members and certain cardholders receive enhanced early seat selection privileges.
New fare classes
Southwest replaced Wanna Get Away, Anytime, and Business Select with Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra fare tiers. The new Basic Fare doesn’t allow fare-drop changes — to capture a lower price, you must cancel and rebook entirely.
Variable award pricing
Points-to-dollar redemption value now fluctuates from one booking to the next rather than being tied to a fixed formula. Southwest joined Delta and United in moving toward dynamic award pricing, though without the same extreme volatility seen at those airlines.
The bottom line on changes: Despite all these modifications, the Companion Pass and the Chase Ultimate Rewards 1:1 transfer relationship remain intact. Southwest is still the simplest U.S. airline loyalty program — no alliance complexity, no premium cabin pricing tiers, no fuel surcharges, no award expiration. For domestic family travel specifically, Rapid Rewards remains one of the strongest programs available — just less obviously so than before 2025.
Southwest Rapid Rewards at a glance
Program scope, earning routes, and per-point valuation
The transferable points limitation: Only Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to Southwest at 1:1. Amex MR, Citi TYP, Capital One Miles, and Bilt all lack Southwest access. This structurally ties the program to Chase’s ecosystem — if you’re building points-and-miles around Amex, Citi, or Capital One, Southwest is largely inaccessible without committing to Chase cobranded cards. For Chase ecosystem holders, Southwest extends your portfolio with domestic family travel coverage that the other transferable currencies don’t reach as effectively.
The famous two-card Companion Pass strategy
The most-discussed credit card strategy in U.S. points-and-miles is the Southwest two-card Companion Pass play. By opening one Southwest personal card and one Southwest business card in the same calendar year, the welcome bonuses from both cards (plus the 10,000-point boost from each card) typically meet or exceed the 135,000 qualifying points threshold — earning you Companion Pass for the rest of that year and all of the next year. This is the cleanest credit-card-only path to Companion Pass.
Apply for a Southwest business card in early January
The Southwest Performance Business Card ($299, 80K-100K welcome bonus) or Premier Business Card ($99). Spend the minimum required to earn the welcome bonus — wait for points to post to your Rapid Rewards account.
Apply for a Southwest personal card 30+ days later
Choose Plus ($99), Premier ($149), or Priority ($229) — Plus offers the lowest fee with 50K welcome bonus. Spend the minimum required to earn the welcome bonus, ideally before the end of the calendar year.
Add the 10,000-point boost from each card
Each Southwest cardholder receives a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually. Two cards = 20,000 boost points. Combined with welcome bonuses, this typically clears the 135,000 threshold.
Earn Companion Pass for up to 2 years
Once your qualifying points hit 135,000 in a calendar year, you receive Companion Pass for the rest of that year plus the entire following year. Earn it in January 2026 = pass valid through December 31, 2027.
Timing matters: If you start in late 2025, your welcome bonuses might post in 2025 — meaning Companion Pass would only be valid for the last days of 2025 plus 2026. The strategic approach is to wait until October 2025 or later to apply for the business card, then time the personal card application so bonuses post in early 2026. This maximizes the Companion Pass to 2026 + 2027 (nearly two full years). Credit card points that count toward Companion Pass do not count toward A-List elite status — those require flight-based qualifying activity.
How to earn Rapid Rewards points
Rapid Rewards points can be accumulated through five primary routes. The most efficient route for most readers is the Chase UR transfer pathway combined with Southwest cobranded credit cards. The two-card Companion Pass strategy described above is the most-discussed path for earning Companion Pass quickly.
Chase Ultimate Rewards at 1:1
The most accessible route for non-Southwest-cobranded-card holders. Hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95), Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795), or Ink Business Preferred ($95) and transfer Chase UR to Southwest at 1:1. Important caveat: Chase UR transfers do NOT count toward Companion Pass qualifying points. The pass requires points earned from flying, Southwest credit card spend, or Southwest’s partner programs.
Southwest cobranded Chase credit cards
Five cards total: Plus ($99), Premier ($149), Priority ($229), Premier Business ($99), Performance Business ($299). All earn Rapid Rewards points on every purchase. All count toward Companion Pass qualifying points. All provide a 10,000-point annual Companion Pass boost. The two-card strategy above leverages this earning structure.
Flying Southwest
Revenue-based earning: 6 points per dollar on Basic and Choice fares, 8 points per dollar on Choice Preferred, 12 points per dollar on Choice Extra. Elite members (A-List, A-List Preferred) earn additional bonus points. Flight earnings count toward both Companion Pass and A-List elite status qualification.
Marriott Bonvoy transfers at 3:1
Marriott Bonvoy transfers to Southwest at 3:1 — 60,000 Marriott points = 20,000 Southwest points. This is less efficient than direct Chase UR transfers, but useful for converting Marriott balances. Marriott transfers also do not count toward Companion Pass.
Rapid Rewards partner programs
Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal, Dining Program, partner hotels, and partner car rentals earn Rapid Rewards points. Base points from these partners count toward Companion Pass (with some exceptions). The Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal and Dining Program are the most useful for everyday earning.
A-List elite status
Southwest’s elite program is the simplest of the major U.S. airlines — just two published tiers. Both are earned through flight activity (qualifying flights or tier qualifying points from flying). Credit card spend does NOT count toward A-List elite status — unlike American AAdvantage’s Loyalty Points system. This is a meaningful limitation for credit-card-focused strategists.
25% bonus points, priority boarding (after Business Select), priority security and check-in, free same-day standby, dedicated phone line.
100% bonus points, two free checked bags, priority boarding (after Business Select cardholders), free WiFi, free same-day change.
The honest take on A-List: After the 2025-2026 changes, Southwest A-List Preferred is genuinely worth pursuing only if you fly Southwest 50+ times per year — and even then, holding a top-tier Southwest credit card (Priority $229 or Performance Business $299) delivers most of the same benefits without requiring 50 flights. For most readers, focus on the Companion Pass and a single Southwest credit card rather than chasing A-List status. Credit card benefits and Companion Pass deliver 80%+ of the value with 10% of the effort.
Southwest cobranded Chase cards
Southwest and Chase have an exclusive cobranded relationship — all five Southwest credit cards are Chase-issued. The choice between cards depends primarily on whether you need Priority Pass-style benefits (early seat selection, extra legroom upgrades, anniversary points) or you just want the cheapest entry path to Companion Pass earning.
Top business tier. 80K-100K welcome bonus, 4x Southwest, $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, free WiFi on Southwest flights, 9,000 anniversary points. Strongest welcome bonus of any Southwest card.
Top personal tier. 7,500 anniversary points, $75 annual Southwest travel credit, four upgraded boardings per year, 20% inflight savings. Most full-featured personal Southwest card.
Mid-tier personal card. 6,000 anniversary points, 2x Southwest, 15% off coupon, preferred or standard seat selection. Strong middle-ground option for moderate Southwest flyers.
Entry business tier. 60K welcome bonus, 3x Southwest, 6,000 anniversary points, 2x rideshare. Most accessible Southwest business card.
Entry personal tier. 50K welcome bonus after $1,000 spend, 3,000 anniversary points, 2x Southwest. Lowest-cost path into the Southwest ecosystem and the two-card Companion Pass strategy.
The Chase 5/24 consideration: All Southwest credit cards are Chase-issued and subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule (Chase typically won’t approve you for new cards if you’ve opened 5+ credit cards in the past 24 months across any issuer). Plan Southwest applications carefully within your broader Chase application strategy. The Companion Pass two-card strategy works best when you’re well under 5/24 and have planned around the timing.
How to redeem Rapid Rewards points
Search Southwest.com directly
Southwest awards can only be booked at southwest.com — there’s no alliance or partner booking system to navigate. Search for your dates, view both cash and points prices, and choose the option that delivers the best per-point value.
Check the cents-per-point value
Divide the cash price (minus $5.60 in taxes and fees) by the points price to calculate your cents-per-point value. Target 1.3-1.5¢ per point for good redemptions; 1.5¢+ is excellent value. Sub-1¢ redemptions are usually a sign of an off-peak cash sale you should pay for in cash instead.
Stack with Companion Pass if you have one
If you hold Companion Pass, every points booking can include your companion for just $5.60 each way — effectively doubling the value of every Rapid Rewards redemption. This is the single best feature of the entire program. Book paid tickets with points, then add your companion.
Cancel and rebook if prices drop
Southwest’s flexible cancellation policy is uniquely valuable for points redemptions. If a flight’s price drops after booking, you can cancel for full points credit and rebook at the lower rate. Exception: the new Basic Fare class does NOT allow fare-drop changes — you’d have to cancel entirely and rebook from scratch.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Southwest Rapid Rewards strategy and the Companion Pass
Should I focus on Southwest Rapid Rewards for my points-and-miles strategy?
Depends on your travel patterns. If you fly Southwest domestically several times per year with a regular companion (spouse, partner, child), the Companion Pass alone delivers more value than most readers extract from any other airline program. The two-card Companion Pass strategy is genuinely the highest-ROI play in U.S. credit card rewards. If you primarily travel internationally, fly premium cabins, or focus on partner alliance benefits, Southwest delivers minimal value — the program has no international reach beyond limited Caribbean/Mexico routes and no premium product. For those readers, focus on Chase UR, Amex MR, or transferable points programs with broader scope.
How exactly does the Companion Pass work?
Earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points OR 100 qualifying one-way flights in a single calendar year. Once you hit the threshold, you receive Companion Pass for the rest of that year plus the entire following calendar year. Your designated companion flies with you for just taxes and fees (typically $5.60 each way for domestic, slightly more for international destinations) on every Southwest flight you book — whether paying with cash or points. You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year. The pass applies to one companion per flight but the designation can be switched throughout the year.
Why don’t Chase UR transfers count toward Companion Pass?
Southwest’s Companion Pass qualifying points are specifically defined to exclude points transferred from other loyalty programs — including Chase Ultimate Rewards. The rule covers any “points converted from hotel and car loyalty programs, e-Rewards, Valued Opinions, and Diners Club” plus credit card transfers. This is intentional: Southwest wants Companion Pass earners to be either actual flyers or Southwest credit cardholders spending on their cards directly. What DOES count toward Companion Pass: revenue flights, points earned on Southwest credit cards (including welcome bonuses), base points from Rapid Rewards partners, and the annual 10K boost from each Southwest card.
How significantly did the 2025-2026 changes weaken Southwest?
Materially, but not fatally. The end of “Bags Fly Free” eliminated one of Southwest’s signature value propositions — most passengers now pay $35 first bag, $45 second bag, similar to other airlines (though Southwest cardholders still get first bag free for cardholder + 8 passengers). The end of open seating ended Southwest’s distinctive boarding experience and now requires understanding new fare class hierarchies. Variable award pricing introduced complexity that didn’t exist before. However: the Companion Pass remains intact, points still never expire, Chase UR transfers still work, and the credit card lineup still delivers strong value. Southwest is less obviously superior than it was in 2024 — but for the right reader profile (domestic family travel), it remains one of the best U.S. airline programs.
Can I transfer Amex MR, Citi TYP, Capital One Miles, or Bilt to Southwest?
No. Only Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to Southwest at 1:1. Amex MR, Citi TYP, Capital One Miles, and Bilt all lack Southwest as a transfer partner. Marriott Bonvoy transfers at 3:1 (and does not count toward Companion Pass). For Chase ecosystem holders, Southwest extends your portfolio significantly — providing domestic family travel coverage that complements UR’s transfer partners (Hyatt for hotels, United for international Star Alliance). For non-Chase strategists, Southwest is largely inaccessible without committing to a Southwest cobranded card.
What’s the best Southwest credit card for the two-card Companion Pass strategy?
For maximum earnings: Performance Business Card ($299) + Plus personal card ($99). The Performance Business typically offers 80K-100K welcome bonus (depending on current promotions). The Plus offers 50K with a low $1,000 minimum spend requirement. Combined with two 10K boost points = 130K+ qualifying points. For lower-cost approach: Premier Business ($99) + Plus ($99) — slightly smaller welcome bonuses but $400 total fees instead of $398. Most strategists choose Performance Business for the larger welcome bonus despite the higher fee.
Will Southwest’s new international partnerships change the program?
Potentially significantly. Southwest announced new international partnerships in 2025 but bookings weren’t yet available through Southwest channels as of early 2026. If these international partner redemptions become available later in 2026, they would open new value paths that Southwest has lacked historically — potentially making Rapid Rewards meaningfully more competitive for international-bound readers. The honest take: wait and see. Until partner bookings are actually live, the new partnerships don’t change the strategic calculus. If they launch successfully, expect updated coverage on this guide.
Are Southwest cards subject to Chase 5/24?
Yes. All Southwest credit cards are Chase-issued and count toward Chase’s 5/24 rule — meaning Chase typically won’t approve you for new cards if you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards (across any issuer) in the past 24 months. Both personal and business Southwest cards count against 5/24 for approval purposes (though business cards from most issuers don’t typically appear on personal credit reports, so they don’t count against 5/24 going forward). Plan Southwest applications carefully within your broader Chase application strategy — particularly if you’re also planning Chase Sapphire or Ink Business applications.
Related guides
Further reading on Chase strategy and U.S. airline programs