Can You Get Southwest Companion Pass Free Through Expedia?

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most coveted perks in the world of frequent flyers. It allows a designated companion to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) every time you purchase or redeem points for a flight. This benefit is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which it’s earned and the entire following year. For travelers who frequently fly Southwest Airlines, the Companion Pass can lead to substantial savings.

To qualify for the Get Southwest Companion Pass, you need to either fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. Once you reach this threshold, Southwest will issue the Companion Pass, allowing you to designate one person to fly with you for free.

Booking Southwest Flights via Expedia: What You Need to Know

Expedia is a popular online travel agency where you can Book multi city flight on expedia, hotels, car rentals, and more. Many travelers use Expedia for its convenience, ability to compare prices across airlines, and access to bundled deals. However, when it comes to earning Southwest-specific benefits like the Companion Pass, booking through Expedia has some important implications.

When you book a Southwest flight through Expedia, you’ll still be flying on Southwest Airlines, and the flight should be eligible for Rapid Rewards points, provided you include your Rapid Rewards number during the booking process. However, there are a few limitations and factors to consider:

1. Earning Rapid Rewards Points:

Although you can still earn Rapid Rewards points for Southwest flights booked through Expedia, the process is not as seamless as booking directly on Southwest’s website. Sometimes, third-party bookings may not automatically credit your Rapid Rewards account. If you don’t see your points credited, you may need to contact Southwest with your flight details to ensure the points are applied.

2. Eligible Flights and Fare Classes:

Southwest offers different fare classes—Wanna Get Away, Anytime, and Business Select. Some third-party booking platforms may not always clearly display or differentiate between these fare classes. This is important because the type of fare you book can impact the number of Rapid Rewards points you earn, which in turn affects your progress toward the Companion Pass.

3. Managing Changes and Cancellations:

One of the benefits of booking directly with Southwest is the flexibility to change or cancel flights without fees. When you book through Expedia changes or cancellations typically need to be managed through Expedia, which can add a layer of complexity and potential fees, depending on the terms and conditions of your booking.

Can You Get the Southwest Companion Pass for Free Through Expedia?

While booking a Southwest flight via Expedia does not inherently disqualify you from earning the Companion Pass, it’s important to clarify what is meant by “getting it for free.” The Companion Pass itself is not something you can obtain at no cost simply by booking flights through any particular platform, including Expedia. It requires you to meet specific travel or point-earning thresholds with Southwest Airlines.

If you book enough qualifying Southwest flights through Expedia and ensure your Rapid Rewards number is included, those flights will count toward your Companion Pass eligibility. However, the key word here is “qualifying.” Not all flights, points, or purchases contribute to earning the Companion Pass, so understanding what qualifies is crucial.

Strategies to Earn the Companion Pass Efficiently

If your goal is to earn the Southwest Companion Pass as quickly and efficiently as possible, here are some strategies:

1. Book Directly Through Southwest Whenever Possible:
To ensure you get the maximum points and avoid any complications with point accrual, it’s generally best to book your flights directly through Southwest. This eliminates the potential issues of third-party bookings and gives you full control over your reservation.

2. Use a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card:
Southwest offers a variety of credit cards through Chase that allow you to earn Rapid Rewards points on every purchase. Points earned through these cards count toward the Companion Pass, and the sign-up bonuses can significantly boost your progress.

3. Take Advantage of Promotions:
Southwest frequently runs promotions where you can earn bonus points or discounted flights. Keeping an eye on these offers can help you rack up points more quickly. Make sure to read the terms and conditions to confirm that the points earned will count toward the Companion Pass.

4. Consider Partner Transactions:
In addition to flying, you can earn Rapid Rewards points by making purchases with Southwest’s partners, such as car rental companies, hotels, and even certain dining programs. These points also count toward the Companion Pass, so taking advantage of these opportunities can accelerate your progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you get the Southwest Companion Pass for free through Expedia?

No, the Southwest Companion Pass cannot be earned for free through Expedia. It is typically earned by flying a certain number of qualifying flights or reaching a specific spending threshold with Southwest or their partners.

2. What are the ways to earn the Southwest Companion Pass?

You can earn the Southwest Companion Pass by flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year.

3. Does booking Southwest flights on Expedia count toward the Companion Pass?

No, only flights booked directly through Southwest Airlines or their partners typically count toward earning points for the Companion Pass.

4. Can you combine Expedia bookings with Southwest Rapid Rewards?

No, you generally cannot earn Rapid Rewards points for flights booked through third-party sites like Expedia.

5. How do I contact Southwest Airlines for more information?

You can contact Southwest Airlines via their customer service number at+1-888-457-2304 or visit their official website for support.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while you can book Southwest flights via Expedia and still earn Rapid Rewards points, this approach has some potential downsides. You may face challenges in ensuring your points are properly credited, and you might miss out on the ease and flexibility that comes with booking directly through Southwest.

The Southwest Companion Pass is a valuable benefit that requires deliberate planning and strategy to obtain. Although you can earn points through various methods, booking directly through Southwest is generally the most straightforward way to ensure that every flight and purchase counts toward your goal. Booking through Expedia might offer some conveniences, but it’s essential to weigh those against the potential complications that could arise in your pursuit of the Companion Pass.

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