The writer says a traveler who would ordinarily earn 70,000 points from flights and card spending could previously bridge the gap with one new-card bonus. Under the revised structure described, that same baseline would require another $25,000 in card spending to earn three single-use Companion Passes, or $65,000 for an unlimited pass. The author says the shift changes not just the target, but the ways members can qualify.
The writer reports that the household has held a Companion Pass for 12 years and has relied on Southwest for most domestic family travel, with passes earned through card-member and referral bonuses in recent years. The author estimates Southwest received about 90% of the household's domestic bookings over the past decade, but expects future choices to depend more on fares unless earning routes or other benefits improve.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on InsideFlyer.
