How to earn a Companion Pass for 2 yearsA Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUYIn case you're not familiar with the Southwest Companion Pass, it's an incredible perk. Your 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost for 2026 will also hit your account in January, putting you within 5,000 points of earning a Companion Pass. Related: How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion PassBottom lineWho said earning a Southwest Companion Pass was hard? Apply in mid-October, then time your spending so you'll reach the threshold needed to earn a Companion Pass early next year to get the most from your pass.