The Southwest Companion Pass has long been one of my favorite ways to save money on family travel. With this popular benefit, you can bring a designated companion on your Southwest flights for just the taxes and fees, starting at $5.60 each way on domestic flights. For families, that can add up to some serious savings!

BIG UPDATE FOR 2027: Southwest just announced major changes to how travelers earn the Companion Pass, including eliminating credit card welcome offers as a way to qualify under the new rules. But there’s still a limited opportunity to use the current strategy before the changes take effect!

Fun fact: we used our Southwest Companion passes to get us to and from Hawaii, along with plenty of other destinations. In this updated guide, I’ll walk you through what’s changing, how to earn the pass under the current and new rules, and whether it’s still worth pursuing for your family.