Southwest Is Rewriting How Its Famous Companion Pass Gets Earned

Southwest Airlines has announced a broad overhaul of Rapid Rewards that takes effect on January 1, 2027. The central change is that Tier Qualifying Points will now count toward both elite status and the Companion Pass, which used to be tracked separately. Fliers who chase the pass will need to rethink how they earn.

The new structure has Silver, which replaces A-List, at 35,000 points or 25 flights, and Gold, which replaces A-List Preferred, at 65,000 points or 50 flights. Platinum requires 140,000 points or 100 flights and comes with an unlimited Companion Pass. A lower version of the pass, good for three flights, is available at 95,000 points or 75 qualifying flights. For 2027 only, a 10,000-point bonus after 130,000 points makes that figure the practical Platinum target.

Earning rules shift as well. Credit card spending counts at one point per dollar, and bonus categories still earn only one point, while sign-up, referral, shopping-portal and anniversary bonuses earn none. Base earning on Choice Preferred fares falls from 10x to 8x and on Choice Extra fares from 14x to 10x.

There is an upside for award travellers. Starting in spring 2027, Rapid Rewards points can be redeemed on partners Icelandair, China Airlines and Etihad, including premium cabins. Frequent Southwest customers should compare their annual flying against the new thresholds before the year ends.

Sources: Doctor of Credit, One Mile at a Time