Well everyone. Southwest has finally cut out the last thing that I think was keeping its loyal followers hanging on: the Southwest Companion Pass, something I have said was the best deal in travel for the last 10 years. As of January 1, they are changing how you earn it, and I’m here to tell you that with those changes: the Southwest Companion Pass is NO LONGER A GOOD DEAL. Yes, I said it and it’s a sad day indeed: Synonara Southwest Companion Pass. I detail everything in the live video above and answer many, many questions from viewers about Southwest’s October 15 announcement, which Southwest plays as “great news” and “much simpler” when in fact it’s a huge devaluing and WAY more complicated. I also share clarification on some confusing wording on their page announcing the changes that I was able to confirm DIRECTLY with Southwest Airlines via my sources there. Essentially, you have to spend $140,000 on a Southwest card in one year in order to get the same unlimited, 2-year Companion Pass they offer today. I will never recommend anyone do that. A Southwest card is not a good place to put your spending, and even IF you could spend that much (I could not!), it would take you the better part of a year, leaving you with a Companion Pass that’s only good until the following year. And to keep it ongoing, you’d need to spend that amount EVERY year. No thanks, Southwest. I’m moving on. And I’m hugely disappointed in this change. I know how to play the miles and points game, and I’m just going to start paying points for my Companion after I no longer have my current Companion Pass. Southwest wants you to spend on their card. I’m too smart for that and I want to make sure you are too. I’m putting my spend on a flexible card. I’m also going to start looking at other airlines and comparing their points prices. Without the Companion Pass, other airlines are now fair game. All that said, there IS still time to get a Companion Pass in hand the CURRENT, MUCH EASIER WAY by only spending $4,000-$5,000 of your everyday spend instead of $140,000. You’ll need to open 2 Southwest cards by year’s end, meet the minimum spends on both BEFORE your December close date, in order to get 2 points bonuses that together accrue 135,000+ Companion Pass qualifying points and enough to secure a Companion Pass good through Dec. 31, 2027. Yes, it’s possible; you just need to know what you’re doing! While this is MUCH simpler, it’s still complicated with the timing and Southwest’s many rules and regulations. You need someone to make sure you get this right because it’s the LAST TIME TO EVER GET THIS A COMPANION PASS WITH SO LITTLE SPEND. Did you hear that? This is the LAST GREAT COMPANION PASS. Get one and make the most of it in 2027! I currently have availability to help 10 (and only 10!) additional people within my small, private Families Fly Free Elite Travel Club, which I closed earlier this year. In the Club: * You work directly with me on your miles and points strategy, including earning the Southwest Companion Pass, via live Q&As, webinars, direct email and text and private Zoom consults * You are part of a small private travel community who helps one another via our Community forum and real-time group texting * You can attend exclusive members-only trips in the US using miles and points for flights and accommodations (we just went to Portland, Oregon in September) * Get all the latest travel news you need to know like how to best execute on getting a Southwest Companion Pass through 2027 in light of the changes * Learn how to maximize flying Southwest Airlines, fly free to Europe and stay free at hotels and Airbnbs * You can access my on-demand travel content library and destination itineraries I keep this club private and small so I personally know, and can work with, everyone. I can only take 10 people, and I don’t know when or if I will be able to open it again based on availability. If you want to be sure you get the LAST EVER Southwest Companion Pass (which I value at more than $6,000), navigate card declines, etc., I encourage you to grab a spot ASAP so I can help you. Securing a Companion Pass by itself is worth the cost to join, not to mention all the other benefits. If spots remain on Monday, I will be opening it to my tens of thousands of followers. Stay tuned for additional insight and analysis of Southwest's changes. Get full access to Secrets of a Travel Journalist at lynmettler.substack.com/subscribe
