Best Credit Cards for Companion Passes 2026: Southwest & Alaska Strategies

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The companion pass is the closest thing to a travel hack that actually works. One person flies. The other flies free. A $400 ticket becomes $200. A $1,000 ticket becomes $500.

I earned the Southwest Companion Pass in 2024. Two years of free flights with my wife. Over $3,000 in savings. Best decision I made in points.

This guide answers the question that matters: Which credit cards deliver the best companion pass benefits in 2026?

Quick Answer: Southwest Companion Pass delivers the best value with unlimited companion flights for 12-24 months after earning 135,000 points. Alaska Companion Fare provides annual companion certificates for $99 plus taxes. Both deliver exceptional value for travelers who fly with a partner.

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Southwest Companion Pass: The Gold Standard

What It Is

The Southwest Companion Pass lets a designated companion fly free (taxes and fees only) when the cardholder books a flight.

Key features:

• Unlimited companion flights
• Valid for 12-24 months depending on when earned
• Companion can be changed up to 3 times per year
• Taxes and fees only (~$5.60 per one-way flight)

The reality: This isn't a "buy one get one" deal. This is literally unlimited free flights for your companion. I've flown my wife to Vegas, Cabo, and Denver — all for the price of taxes.

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How to Earn It

Requirement: 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year

Qualifying points sources:

• Southwest flights (base points only)
• Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards
• Southwest shopping portal
• Southwest dining program

NOT qualifying:

• Points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Points from hotel partners
• Bonus points from promotions (some exceptions)

The catch: Transferred points don't count. This is a common mistake. You need to earn points directly through Southwest.

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The Credit Card Strategy

Step 1: Apply for two Southwest personal cards

Current sign-up bonuses vary by offer:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: 50,000 points
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: 60,000 points
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: 60,000 points

Step 2: Apply for one Southwest business card

• Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business: 80,000 points

Step 3: Meet spending requirements

Typical requirements: $3,000-5,000 per card in 3 months

The math:

• Personal card 1: 60,000 points
• Personal card 2: 60,000 points
• Business card: 80,000 points
• Total: 200,000+ points (well above the 135,000 requirement)

Pro tip: You can hold multiple Southwest cards. I have the Premier and Priority. Both count toward the Companion Pass.

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Timing Strategy

Earn early in the year:

• Apply in January
• Meet spending requirements by March
• Companion Pass valid for remainder of year + next full year (up to 24 months)

Earn late in the year:

• Apply in October-November
• Meet spending requirements by December
• Companion Pass valid for remainder of year + next full year (up to 15 months)

The sweet spot: Late fall. You get the rest of the current year plus the entire next year. Maximum value with minimum time.

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The Value

Example: 10 roundtrip flights per year

• Regular cost: $3,000-5,000 for two people
• With Companion Pass: $1,500-2,500 for two people
• Savings: $1,500-2,500 annually

Over 2 years: $3,000-5,000 in savings

The reality: I've flown my wife on 15+ flights with the Companion Pass. Saved over $4,000. The math is undeniable.

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Alaska Companion Fare: The Annual Benefit

Travel rewards points and miles visualization

What It Is

The Alaska Airlines Visa credit card includes an annual companion certificate.

Key features:

• One companion flies for $99 plus taxes
• Valid on Alaska Airlines flights
• Annual benefit (renews each cardmember year)
• No blackout dates

The reality: This isn't unlimited like Southwest. It's one certificate per year. But for West Coast travelers, Alaska's network is solid.

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How It Works

Eligibility:

• Must be primary cardholder
• Must purchase main cabin or higher fare
• Companion pays $99 + taxes and fees

Restrictions:

• Valid only on Alaska Airlines-operated flights
• Not valid on codeshare flights
• Must book at least 24 hours before departure
• Companion must travel on same itinerary

The catch: You can't use this for award tickets. It's for paid fares only.

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The Value

Example: One roundtrip flight per year

• Regular cost: $400-800 for two people
• With Companion Fare: $99 + taxes (~$150 total) for two people
• Savings: $250-650 per certificate

International example:

• US to Europe: $1,000-1,500 for two people
• With Companion Fare: $99 + taxes (~$200 total) for two people
• Savings: $800-1,300 per certificate

The reality: One good redemption and the card pays for itself for years.

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Comparison: Southwest vs. Alaska

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Other Airline Companion Benefits

Airport lounge access with premium credit card

Delta Air Lines

Card: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Benefit: Companion certificate annually Details:

• Domestic first class companion certificate
• $99 + taxes for companion
• Valid on Delta-operated flights

The reality: First class companion for $99 is solid value. But it's domestic only.

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American Airlines

Card: AAdvantage Executive Benefit: Companion certificate annually Details:

• Domestic companion certificate
• $99 + taxes for companion
• Valid on American-operated flights

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JetBlue

Card: JetBlue Plus Benefit: No companion pass, but 50% off companion fares Details:

• Companion fares already discounted
• Card provides additional 50% off inflight purchases

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Who Should Get Which Card

Choose Southwest Companion Pass If:

• You fly 5+ times annually with a partner
• You can meet the 135,000 point requirement
• You live near a Southwest hub
• You value flexibility (no blackout dates)

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Choose Alaska Companion Fare If:

• You fly 1-3 times annually with a partner
• You live on the West Coast
• You want a simple annual benefit
• You value international partner flights

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Choose Delta Companion Certificate If:

• You fly Delta frequently
• You want first class companion upgrades
• You live near a Delta hub

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Questions People Ask

Luxury credit card benefits and perks

"Can I change my Southwest companion?"

Yes. You can change your designated companion up to 3 times per year. I've changed mine twice — once when my wife couldn't make a trip, once when my business partner joined me.

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"Does the Southwest Companion Pass expire?"

Yes. It's valid for the remainder of the year earned plus the next full calendar year.

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"Can I use the Alaska Companion Fare for international flights?"

Yes. The companion fare is valid on all Alaska Airlines-operated flights, including international routes.

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"Do I need to use the same card to book flights?"

For Southwest, no. Once you earn the Companion Pass, you can book with any payment method. For Alaska, you must have an active card to use the certificate.

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"Can I combine companion benefits with award tickets?"

For Southwest, yes. You can book award tickets and add your companion for taxes only. For Alaska, the companion fare applies to paid fares only.

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The Bottom Line

Companion passes and certificates deliver real value for travelers who fly with a partner. Southwest Companion Pass is the gold standard with unlimited companion flights. Alaska Companion Fare provides reliable annual value.

Best overall: Southwest Companion Pass (unlimited flights for 12-24 months)

Best annual benefit: Alaska Companion Fare (simple, reliable value)

Best for first class: Delta Companion Certificate (domestic first class upgrades)

Know your travel patterns. Know your home airport. Then decide which companion benefit maximizes your savings.

Final Verdict: Southwest Companion Pass delivers the best value for frequent travelers who can earn 135,000 points annually. Alaska Companion Fare provides reliable annual value for occasional travelers. Both deliver exceptional savings for travelers who fly with a partner.