A few times a year Southwest rolls out a promotional offer where you can earn a short 2 month Companion Pass by booking and one flight in a certain window.

Southwest just released this fall promo that is only valid through August 28 (Thursday) so I decided to send this out because it will be expired by the time our regular newsletter goes out on Saturday.

The current promotion can dovetail with our other Companion Pass strategies for some people.

Happy Travels,

Katie

PS: We have a detailed Companion Pass timeline in this spreadsheet here -- available for free! When you click, it invites you create a copy to be able to edit yourself.

The Deal

1. Register for the promotion. Register here.​
2. Purchase a qualifying round trip or two qualifying one-way flights from 8/25-8/28. Basic fares are not qualifying flights for this promotion.
3. Travel by 11/15.
4. Companion flies free with you 1/6-3/6/2026.

IMPORTANT:

• You must register before booking your flight
• You must book above a Basic Fare
• You can't change your flight after you book it (you can change until August 28 but not after that).
• New this year: You can pay with points for your qualifying flight and still get this deal

Who should ignore this deal

• Anyone who has a Companion Pass valid through December 2026 - this would just duplicate it.
• Anyone who won't fly Southwest between January 6 and March 6 next year - no need to chase this.
• Anyone who doesn't have plans to travel at all before November 15 - doesn't make sense to add a flight to maybe save on a future flight.

Who this deal might make sense for

• You're a bigger family and would like more than 2 Companion Passes in your family for early 2026 travel. With this promo, you could register a child's account and if they follow the steps (you book a flight for them according to the terms), the child would earn a Companion Pass, too.
• You already have travel planned between now and November 15 on Southwest and could rebook your ticket and it wouldn't cost much more.
• You were planning to book travel on Southwest between now and November 15.
• You know you'll use this Companion Pass at least once between Jan 6 and March 6.

Or you are planning to go for a 2026-2027 Companion Pass but...

• You don't want to rush your spend. This would help bridge the gap until you earn your full Companion Pass.
• You have travel planned for early to mid January. This would help bridge the gap until you earn your full Companion Pass which sometimes doesn't activate until later in January depending on when your statements close.
• You have to push back your timeline due to when you're eligible to open cards. This would help bridge the gap until you earn your full Companion Pass.

OTHER COMPANION PASS RESOURCES:

​💳Southwest Card Guide. (compare the cards + benefits)

​📝Tips to Re-Earn​

​👥Companion Pass Guide {overview}

​📆Fall 2025 Timelines {overview}

​📝All the Southwest changes in 2025/2026​

​🖥️ Free Course, including Southwest Companion Pass module