Do Southwest credit-card sign-up bonuses count toward the Companion Pass?

Yes. Since 2020, all Rapid Rewards points earned from Southwest-branded Chase credit cards — including sign-up bonuses and referral bonuses — count toward the 135,000-point Companion Pass qualification threshold.

Can I open two personal Southwest cards?

No. Chase's rules only allow one personal Southwest card at a time and won't approve a new personal card if you've received a personal Southwest sign-up bonus in the last 24 months. That's why the strategy pairs one personal card with one business card.

Do I need a real business to get a Southwest business card?

You need a legitimate business activity — freelancing, reselling, tutoring, consulting all count. Apply as a Sole Proprietor with your SSN. Don't misrepresent revenue to Chase.

What if I don't hit 135,000 points from cards alone?

The remainder can come from flights, Southwest hotel bookings, dining program, Rapid Rewards shopping portal, or rideshare partners. Points transferred in from Chase Ultimate Rewards do NOT count toward Companion Pass qualification.

Part of the Southwest Companion Pass Cluster

How to Earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards Points Fast

The Southwest Companion Pass unlocks at 135,000 qualifying points in a single calendar year. Here's the credit-card strategy that gets most people there in one quarter — without buying anything you wouldn't already buy.

The 4-step earning plan

Step 01
Qualify in January, not December
Companion Pass earning resets January 1. Earn it early in the calendar year and you'll get the pass for the rest of that year AND all of the following year — up to 24 months.
Step 02
Open one personal + one business Southwest card
The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards personal card and the Southwest Performance Business card (or Premier Business) are separate products with separate sign-up bonuses. Both bonuses count toward the 135,000-point Companion Pass threshold.
Step 03
Wait for elevated sign-up offers
Standard offers are 50k points. A few times per year, Chase runs 75k, 85k, or even 100k+ point offers. Two elevated bonuses stacked together can hit 135,000 with just the minimum spend.
Step 04
Hit minimum spend without buying junk
Route normal expenses through the cards: rent (via Plastiq if needed), quarterly taxes, insurance, groceries, gas. Never spend money you wouldn't already spend just to earn points.

The math (elevated-bonus scenario)

Example only — always verify current offers on Chase.com before applying.

Personal card sign-up bonus (elevated)75,000 pts
Business card sign-up bonus (elevated)80,000 pts
Minimum spend earnings (~$8k combined)~8,000 pts
Total163,000 pts — Companion Pass earned

Proof — this is exactly how I did it

One card sign-on bonus + normal yearly spend

I earned my Companion Pass with a Southwest Chase card sign-on bonus plus hitting the card's minimum spend for the year on regular monthly expenses. No mileage runs, no manufactured spending, no 100 flights. The sign-on bonus alone is a huge chunk of the 135,000-point threshold — the rest came from spend I was going to do anyway.

Screenshot from my Rapid Rewards account — Companion Pass earned through 12/31/26.

Chad Sheppard's Southwest Rapid Rewards account showing Companion Pass earned through 12/31/26

FAQ

Informational only — not financial advice. Confirm current card offers, fees, and Chase application rules before applying.

How to Earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards Points Fast

The 4-step earning plan

Qualify in January, not December

Open one personal + one business Southwest card

Wait for elevated sign-up offers

Hit minimum spend without buying junk