Southwest Just Brought Back Its Companion Pass Promo – With a Key Change

by joeheg

Southwest is at it again — and if this promotion looks familiar, that’s because it is.

Back in September 2024, they offered a nearly identical deal. And now in June 2025, they’re bringing it back. At this point, it appears that these limited-time Companion Pass offers are becoming a regular feature, used to fill planes during slower travel seasons.

Where they once primarily targeted the post-holiday lull in January and February, this version focuses on fall travel, after the summer rush and between Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

a woman holding a bag of luggage

How It Works

Here’s what you need to do:

  • Register:
    Sign up for the promotion on Southwest’s site.
  • Book your flights:
    Purchase one round-trip (or two one-way) qualifying flights between 8:00 a.m. CT on June 24, 2025, and 11:59 p.m. CT on June 27, 2025.
  • Travel by August 31, 2025:
    You must fly during the summer Travel Period — June 24 through August 31, 2025.
  • Earn a Companion Pass:
    You’ll earn a promotional Companion Pass valid for travel from September 8 through November 15, 2025.

Fare Restrictions: What You Need to Book

To earn the promotional Companion Pass, your flight must be booked in Wanna Get Away+ or higher, which includes Anytime and Business Select fares.

Southwest recently restructured its fare lineup. The original Wanna Get Away fare has been replaced by Basic, which is now their most restrictive fare type. Basic fares do not qualify for this promotion.

Once you’ve earned the Companion Pass, though, you can use it on any fare type — including Basic.

Important Restrictions & Fine Print

Not all flights qualify for this promotion — here’s what you need to know:

  • A qualifying one-way flight is a paid Southwest Airlines flight (with or without stops or connections) from one city to another.
  • A qualifying round trip is two such flights that return to the originating airport (or a recognized co-terminal).
  • Only new reservations booked during the promo window (June 24–27, 2025) for travel between June 24 and August 31, 2025, will count.
  • You must register before booking. Flights booked or flown prior to registration won’t qualify.
  • The same person must fly all qualifying segments — no substitutions or transfers.
  • Cash and points, as well as points redemptions, are eligible. Cash + Points bookings also earn Rapid Rewards, tier-qualifying points, and Companion Pass-qualifying points on the dollar-paid portion.
  • The following do NOT qualify:
    Basic fares
    Group travel
    Charter flights
    Companion Pass flights
    Southwest Vacations® packages
  • You can make changes to your itinerary during the promo period if your new travel still falls within the qualifying travel window.
  • Changes made after June 27 may disqualify your booking from counting.

Final Thoughts

Southwest seems to have landed on a successful strategy here: short booking windows, limited Companion Pass durations, and targeted off-peak travel times. If you have fall travel plans — or want to make some — this is a solid deal worth taking advantage of.

Just remember: you only have until June 27, 2025, to book those qualifying flights. Don’t wait too long!

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary

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