How to Score Companion Passes to Get Free Flights — and Which Airlines Offer Them

This tool is one of the best ways to score a free flight. Here's how to use it effectively.

If you're something of a frequent flier — or if you live in a Southwest Airlines hub — you've probably heard the term "companion pass" thrown around a few times. Ultimately, a companion pass is exactly what it sounds like: a certificate that allows you to bring a friend on a flight for (mostly) free. Of course, there's fine print involved that severely limits the power of a companion pass, so free long-haul business-class tickets are rare. But you can indeed get a free or heavily discounted plane ticket with a companion pass, usually in economy.

In a nutshell, companion passes are two-for-one deals, though their use is often restricted by fare class and route, and you'll still have to pay taxes and fees. You must also be on the same reservation as your companion.

The most well-known companion pass is, arguably, the Southwest Companion Pass, because it's the only one that's reusable for a minimum period of a year. The rest of the companion passes out there are one-time-use annual perks for airline co-branded credit cards; their redemption value can often cover the card's annual fee.

Here's everything you need to know about the major airline companion passes.

Southwest Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Pass is the airline's top-tier status reserved for frequent fliers. Once the status is earned, the traveler can designate one person who can tag along with them on every flight for free, though they are still charged for taxes and fees, which start at $5.60. In order to earn the pass, you'll need to fly 100 flights on Southwest or earn 35,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year — whenever you cross the threshold, you'll earn Companion Pass status for the remainder of the calendar year and the following year.

Rapid Rewards points can be earned on Southwest airfare, partner bookings for hotels and rental cars, using a Rapid Rewards co-branded credit card, shopping through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal, and dining at qualifying restaurants. Keep in mind that Rapid Rewards credit card sign-up bonuses count toward status, so that's one way to jumpstart your journey toward the Southwest Companion Pass.

Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare

This isn't a true companion pass, but rather a companion discount. Travelers with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card or the Alaska Airlines Visa Business Credit Card receive a one-time code on each card anniversary that allows them to buy a round-trip economy ticket for a travel companion for $99 plus taxes and fees. Existing cardholders don't have a spend requirement to earn the companion fare, but new cardholders will have to spend at least $6,000 a year to earn it.