Rule change
Southwest Rapid Rewards 2027: Companion Pass moves to Tier Qualifying Points
Companion Pass shake-up
From Jan 1, 2027, Southwest adds Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers, and the Companion Pass is earned with Tier Qualifying Points. Card welcome bonuses no longer count toward it.
- Effective
- Jan 1, 2027
- Deadline
- Old rules end Dec 31, 2026
- Who
- Rapid Rewards members
What changed
- BeforeCompanion Pass earned with Companion Pass qualifying points, which credit card welcome bonuses counted toward.Now3 Companion Pass trips at 95,000 TQPs (or 75 one-way flights); unlimited trips with Platinum at 140,000 TQPs (or 100 one-way flights).
- BeforeCard welcome, referral and anniversary bonuses helped toward Companion Pass.NowWelcome, referral and anniversary bonuses and bonus points from spend earn no Tier Qualifying Points. They still earn Rapid Rewards points.
- BeforeA-List and A-List Preferred tiers.NowSilver, Gold and Platinum tiers.
- BeforeNot every Southwest card counted toward tier status.NowEvery Rapid Rewards card, including Plus, earns 1 TQP per $1 on purchases from Jan 1, 2027.
What it means for churners
- 2026 is the last year a credit card welcome bonus can help earn a Companion Pass. Companion Pass qualifying points are retired after Dec 31, 2026.
- A Companion Pass earned in 2026 gives unlimited companion trips through Dec 31, 2027.
- Southwest's pages don't state a card approval cutoff for 2026 qualification. Allow time for a bonus to post before Dec 31.
Source
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