Southwest Companion Pass in 2026: what changed?

You now have assigned seats

Southwest switched to assigned seating for flights from January 27, 2026. Old advice about checking in at exactly 24 hours to get a better boarding position no longer explains how you’ll get your seat.

For the holder and companion, Southwest uses the more favorable seat options available from either traveler’s eligible status, card or fare. Seats still depend on availability. Boarding follows the seat or benefit that applies, so consecutive boarding positions aren’t guaranteed.

Check your bag allowance before packing

Two free checked bags are no longer a benefit everyone gets. Your allowance depends on your fare, status, eligible card and any exceptions that apply. Eligible credit cardholders generally get the first checked bag free; some fares and status levels include more.

Southwest says that if the pass holder qualifies for one or two free checked bags, that allowance extends to the companion. Check both travelers’ booking details before the trip.

Card fees and benefits have changed

As checked October 4, 2026, the personal-card annual fees are $99 for Plus, $149 for Premier and $229 for Priority. The business cards show $149 for Premier Business and $299 for Performance Business.

Don’t copy older fee comparisons or obsolete annual-credit and boarding benefits into a new spending plan. Compare current application terms and calculate total costs over the years you intend to keep each account.

A debit-card route is now part of the picture

Southwest’s debit card provides eligible rewards and an annual 7,500-point Companion Pass qualification bonus, subject to account terms. It has its own fees, deposit requirements and posting windows.

The debit card may help if you don’t want another credit application or only need a few more qualifying points. It doesn’t make the 135,000-point target disappear.

Fare rules and vacation products need a fresh check

Current fare names include Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra. Refundability, changes, seat options and baggage benefits depend on the fare and applicable benefits. Don’t reuse old fare assumptions when buying a placeholder companion ticket.

Getaways by Southwest package bookings have explicit Companion Pass restrictions. Distinguish points earned by paying with a Southwest card from points attached to the vacation itself.

What to update in an older guide

• Replace expired application and referral links; verify what every link actually opens.
• Recheck welcome bonuses, minimum purchases and annual fees.
• Replace open-seating and universal free-bag language.
• Remove old two-personal-card tactics and check current bonus eligibility.
• Move all illustrative dates into the correct qualification year.
• Keep qualifying points separate from purchased and transferred points.
• Check every promotional pass’s expiration date instead of assuming two years.