Southwest Companion Pass Survey: 5 Shocking Rumors & The Airline's Official Response (2025 Update)

The Southwest Airlines Companion Pass is widely considered the most valuable perk in domestic travel, essentially offering a "buy one, get one free" flight on every trip for up to two years. However, in late 2024 and early 2025, a leaked customer survey sent to select Rapid Rewards members ignited widespread panic among frequent flyers, suggesting that this industry-leading benefit might be severely restricted or "gutted."

The core of the controversy stems from the survey's exploration of a dramatically overhauled loyalty program, replacing the current two-tier system with a new, much more complex structure. This article, updated for December 10, 2025, details the shocking rumors from the leaked survey, the current requirements for earning the coveted pass, and Southwest's critical official statement addressing the intense speculation.

The Leaked Survey: 5 Shocking Proposed Changes to the Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Pass allows a designated person to fly with the passholder for free (only paying taxes and fees) on both paid and award tickets, an unlimited number of times. The leaked survey, which was distributed to a small segment of the Rapid Rewards membership, presented several scenarios that would fundamentally alter how the pass is earned and who qualifies for it. This has been a source of growing frustration and anxiety for dedicated Southwest flyers.

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Here are the five most significant rumored changes that caused an immediate uproar in the travel community:

1. Introduction of a New Multi-Tier Elite Status Program

The survey proposed a complete overhaul of the existing A-List and A-List Preferred elite status structure, suggesting a new program with either four or five tiers. This move would align Southwest more closely with legacy carriers like Delta, United, and American, which utilize multi-tiered systems to segment their frequent flyers. The current program is simple, but the proposed tiers would create a more complex hierarchy.

2. Companion Pass Restricted to the Highest Tier Only

This was the most contentious point. The leaked scenarios indicated that the full, unlimited Companion Pass—the program's primary draw—would only be available to members who achieve the absolute highest elite status tier in the new program. This shift would dramatically increase the qualification requirements for the majority of travelers, including those who currently earn the pass through strategic credit card spending.

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3. Significantly Higher Qualification Thresholds

To qualify for the new top tier, the survey floated point requirements that could be significantly higher than the current 135,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points. Rumored qualification ranges for the top-tier status were mentioned as high as 100,000 to 160,000 qualifying points or 30–50 round-trip flights in a calendar year. This stricter requirement would make the pass nearly unattainable for casual travelers or those who rely on the generous credit card welcome bonuses.

4. Replacement with Limited Companion Flight Certificates

For members who achieve the new middle or lower elite status tiers, the full Companion Pass would be replaced with a limited number of "Companion Flight Certificates." This would severely limit the value proposition, changing the pass from an unlimited "BOGO" benefit to a perk usable only a few times per year, similar to companion tickets offered by other airlines or credit cards.

5. Changes to Point Earning and Redemption

While less specific, the survey also hinted at broader revisions to the Rapid Rewards program, which could include changes to how points are earned from flights, credit cards, and partners, as well as adjustments to point redemption values. Any devaluation of the points system would indirectly affect the pass, as many travelers use points to book their own ticket and then add their companion for free.

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Southwest Airlines Breaks Silence: The Official Denial

The widespread speculation and fear of a "gutted" Companion Pass prompted a rare public statement from Southwest Airlines. In their official response to the rumors generated by the leaked survey, a Southwest Airlines representative explicitly denied that any changes to the program are imminent.

The official statement was clear and direct:

"There is no work underway to change our industry-leading loyalty program, including Companion Pass."

While this statement aims to calm the fears of its most loyal customers, it is important to note the nuance. A customer survey is often a tool for "market research" or "testing the waters" for potential future changes, even if no "work is underway" at the moment. The very existence of the survey, which explored such drastic revisions, suggests that Southwest is at least considering how to evolve its loyalty program in a competitive market.

How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass Now (Before Any Changes)

Given the uncertainty, the best strategy for travelers is to earn the Companion Pass under the existing, highly favorable rules. The current program remains one of the best deals in travel, and the qualification requirements for 2025 are still firmly in place.

To qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass, you must achieve one of the following in a single calendar year:

• Earn 135,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Rapid Rewards Points.
• Fly 100 qualifying one-way flight segments.

If you qualify in 2025, the pass is valid for the remainder of 2025 and the entire following year, 2026. This is why many travelers strategically aim to earn the pass early in the year to maximize its nearly two-year value.

Maximizing Your Rapid Rewards Points

For most travelers, the most realistic path to earning the pass is through the 135,000 qualifying points method, primarily by leveraging Southwest's co-branded credit cards.

• Credit Card Welcome Bonuses: Points earned from the welcome offers on Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards (personal and business) count toward the 135,000 point requirement. This is the fastest way to get a significant "credit card boost."
• Credit Card Spending: Points earned from everyday spending on these cards also count.
• Points from Flights: Points earned from flying on Southwest (Revenue flights) count toward the pass.
• Annual Boost: Some Southwest credit cards offer an annual point boost, such as 10,000 qualifying points, which helps bridge the gap.

Important Note: Transferred points from hotel programs or Chase Ultimate Rewards do *not* count toward the Companion Pass qualification. Only points earned directly through Southwest, its partners, and its co-branded credit cards are considered "qualifying points."

The Future of the Southwest Loyalty Program

While Southwest has issued a denial, the leaked survey serves as a clear indication of the airline's thinking regarding its loyalty program. The pressure to increase revenue and align with industry norms is constant, and the Companion Pass is an enormous, costly benefit for the airline to maintain.

The potential changes, including the introduction of new elite status tiers and restricting the BOGO pass to only the most frequent flyers, would fundamentally devalue the program for the average customer. For now, the pass remains a gold standard for budget-conscious and frequent travelers. The best advice is to monitor official Southwest announcements and focus on achieving the current 135,000-point threshold while the rules are still in your favor.