Southwest to Revoke Credit Card Bonus Points for Companion Pass Eligibility in 2027

LATEST MATERIAL CHANGE

What changed?

Southwest Airlines announced that starting January 1, 2027, the Companion Pass will be tied exclusively to its new Platinum elite tier. Passholders will now need 140,000 Tier‑Qualifying Points (TQPs) or 100 qualifying one‑way flights to earn the benefit. Activities that previously counted toward the Companion Pass, such as credit‑card welcome bonuses, referral, anniversary, and partner spend, will no longer generate TQPs, even though they still earn Rapid Rewards points. The airline will offset the higher threshold with a 10,000‑TQP boost once a traveler reaches 130,000 earned TQPs in 2027, and introduces a Milestone Reward that grants three Companion Pass trips for 95,000 TQPs or 75 qualifying flights. Additionally, every Southwest card will earn one TQP per dollar spent starting in 2027. Those who secured a Companion Pass under the old rules in 2026 will retain the perk through the end of 2027, but the new structure removes the most popular shortcut for many frequent flyers, forcing a shift toward more flight‑based or card‑spending strategies.

Why it matters

Travelers who rely on welcome bonuses to unlock Companion Pass will lose a key shortcut, affecting cost‑effective travel plans.