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On Tuesday, like many of you, I received an email from Southwest Airlines. It detailed a special promo to earn an abbreviated companion pass. Here are the details:
- Book a round-trip flight or two one-way flights by end of day today, September 9
- Travel between now and November 18
- Promotional companion pass is valid 1/6/22 through 2/28/22
I’ve earned the regular Southwest Companion Pass a few times before. It’s a great deal, and I used the heck out of it when my family was younger. Whether you fly using points or cash, your designated companion flies with you for free (or for just the cost of tax, which is usually $5.60). The normal companion pass lasts one calendar year after the year in which you earn it.
Why I’m Passing
The answer is simple: I’m not planning on flying anywhere from 1/6/22 to 2/28/22. We are planning a few college visits during that time frame, but they are in-state and we are driving. With my kids in school, we don’t have much travel flexibility. And, my husband and I recently had a trip without the kids, so we won’t be having a trip by ourselves again for quite some time.
In addition, I don’t have the need for a flight before November 18. If I had a good use for the companion pass, I would do the math to see if buying a cheap ticket would be worth it for the companion pass. But, we already have a lot of travel planned in 2022. None of it is between those dates.
If you have some travel planned during January and February, this deal might be great for you. I encourage you to do the math before buying an unnecessary flight for this fall, though.
I think the promo is genius on Southwest’s part. Travel has slowed down since the Delta variant, and the companion pass period is a slow travel time regardless. Since you only have 3 days to decide to buy a flight for this fall, there is a sense of urgency. I’m sure a lot of people will jump on this offer. If it fits into your travel plans, it could be a great deal.
Are you going for it, or passing?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
I did this promotion and now Southwest isn’t honoring it. It’s time to fly and no information at all!! I fulfilled all of the obligations and SW said I was on the list and to wait until I get an email to book but nothing ever came. Customer service said they can’t help.
@Jill I’m sorry to hear that. Can you reach out to Southwest via Twitter?
I have CP expired on 12/31/21 and not getting extension as well. It was Southwest’s courtesy to extend the 12/31/20 expiration date into a full year, but they are not obligated to extent the 12/31/21 matching the previous generosity. It will be nice, off course.
@Agnes and Robert maybe you could reach out to Southwest to ask for another extension?
Going for it. Quick trip tp Denver. Jan and feb will use companion pass to get to Vegas.
@JRG Sounds nice!
We have a trip coming up that my wife will do this. She’ll take 2 RT flights this fall to keep her A-list status for next year, this might as well be one of them.
I’m more annoyed than anything at WN. My wife qualified for Comp Pass for 2020 and then again for 2021. Her 2020 pass was extended through 2021 but her later status wasn’t extended. So much for being loyal to WN, strange that they’ll give away Comp Pass to anyone for two months but they won’t take care of someone who actually brought in a year’s worth of business during the pandemic
@Robert I’m glad you have a trip you can use for this promo.