Now is your last chance to qualify for a Southwest Companion Pass with a credit card bonus
CNBC · Jason Stauffer ·
Southwest is rolling out major changes to how you can earn elite status and its Companion Pass. Apply for a Southwest credit card by Dec. 2, 2026, to help earn the pass.
In the last couple of years, Southwest has revamped much of what made it different from other major airlines. It added assigned seating and baggage fees, and now changes are coming for the beloved Southwest Companion Pass.
The Companion Pass has long been one of the best travel deals, and what made it so special was that the points you earn from a Southwest credit card welcome bonus would help you qualify.
That's changing after Dec. 2, 2026. After that date, Southwest credit card bonuses you earn from a new account will no longer count toward earning a Companion Pass. This shift is coming amid changes to Companion Pass qualification requirements in general, as well as Southwest elite status.