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Wayfaren is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. We appreciate it when you use our affiliate links as it supports our content at no cost to you!
🚨🚨 Update as of October 15th, 2026 🚨🚨
Southwest just announced big changes to the Companion Pass:
- Starting January 1st, 2027, Southwest credit card welcome bonuses will NO longer count toward the Companion Pass.
- The unlimited Companion Pass is moving to Southwest's new Platinum tier, which takes 140,000 tier qualifying points or 100 qualifying flights in one year.
- A Companion Pass you earn in 2026 is still good through December 31st, 2027.
I've updated this whole plan for the new rules. This fall is your LAST chance to earn the pass with card bonuses!
Your Southwest Companion Pass last-chance plan
Southwest is changing the Companion Pass on January 1st, 2027, and credit card welcome bonuses won't count toward it anymore. That makes this fall your LAST chance to earn it with card bonuses! Answer four quick questions, get the exact path for YOUR family, and find your minimum spend deadline so every point posts in time.
By Abby at Wayfaren · mom of four, family of six, traveling on points since 2018
Step one
Where are you starting?
Tap an answer for each one. Your plan below updates as you go.
Do you currently hold a personal Southwest credit card?
Personal means the Plus, Premier, or Priority. Business cards don't count here.
Have you earned a Southwest card bonus in the last 24 months?
Think personal cards here: the Plus, Premier, or Priority.
How many new personal credit cards have you opened in the last 24 months?
Count cards from ANY bank, not just Chase. Chase calls this the 5/24 rule. You will likely need to be under 5/24 to be approved for these Southwest cards. If you're applying for a business card as a sole proprietor and you've opened more than 2 personal cards in the last 24 months, you likely won't be eligible.
Could you apply for a business card?
Not sure? Read this first
You don't need some fancy LLC or full-time business to be eligible for business cards! No side hustle is too small.
Think Etsy shops, reselling on Facebook Marketplace, tutoring, photography, freelance work, or a rental property. If you earn money in any capacity on the side, you already have a business.
One big heads up for sole proprietors: If you're applying for the business card as a sole proprietor and you've opened more than 2 personal cards in the last 24 months, you likely won't be eligible (3/24 rule).
Always answer the application truthfully. If nothing like this fits you, tap "No" and I'll show you the personal-card path.
Step two
Your path
Step three
Find your minimum spend deadline
If you can do it responsibly, meet your minimum spends ASAP! The sooner you finish, the sooner your bonus posts, and the more cushion you have before December 31st. Only put purchases on the card that you'd make anyway, and pay it off in full.
Your bonus doesn't post the moment you hit your minimum spend. It posts after the statement closes for the billing cycle where you met the spend, then lands in your Rapid Rewards account a few days later.
Chase purchases usually take about 3 business days to go from pending to posted, and weekends and holidays (hello, Thanksgiving!) can stretch that. So here's the latest you can cut it:
Make your last minimum-spend purchase at least 7 days before a statement that closes by December 20th.
Find it in the Chase app under your card's statement details. Every card has its own closing date, so check each new card as soon as you're approved.
Step four
Your checklist
Tap the box when a step is done. Tap "Why this matters" anytime you want the reasoning.
The cards
Current offers
Thank you SO much for using my links when you apply for a new card! It supports my content at no cost to you!
These are the offers as of October 15th, 2026. Offers change often, so always read the current terms on the application page before you apply.
Keep this handy
Companion Pass FAQs
Counts toward the pass (through 2026)
- Southwest card welcome bonuses
- Everyday spend on your Southwest card
- Southwest card referral bonuses
- Your 10,000-point cardmember boost
- Base points from the Rapid Rewards shopping portal
- Base points from Southwest partners (hotels, rental cars, dining)
- Paid Southwest flights
Does NOT count
- Anything that posts after December 31st, 2026
- Chase Ultimate Rewards points you transfer in
- Points moved between two Rapid Rewards members
- Points you buy
- Hotel or rental car points converted to Southwest
- Seasonal shopping portal bonus points
Pin this to your phone
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Your checkmarks save in this browser on this phone. If you open the guide on a different device, it starts fresh.
Want all the details?
Read my full breakdown of the Southwest changes HERE!
Always pay your cards in full and on time. A welcome bonus is only a win when you'd have spent that money anyway.
Wayfaren is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. We appreciate it when you use our affiliate links as it supports our content at no cost to you!
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included with the post.
