Kristen
Back in February, my husband received an email about a limited-time offer on the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Priority credit card — and it was too good to pass up. The deal: spend $5,000 in the first three months and earn 40,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points plus a Companion Pass valid through February 28, 2027. The card carries a $229 annual fee. With a large purchase already on the horizon, we hit the spending threshold in just 30 days.
I’ve seen countless posts raving about the Southwest Companion Pass, but as a numbers person, I wanted to see the actual value for myself. We already have our first data point — a last-minute trip to visit our son for his fraternity’s Parent’s Weekend at the end of March. I’ll be updating a running table over time to track and share exactly how much value the Companion Pass and this card deliver for our family.
And the Companion Pass may only be half the story. The Southwest Priority card comes with some perks worth noting on their own. First, your first checked bag is free (a $35 value per person). Second, you receive a complimentary Preferred Seat at booking, and third, starting 48 hours before departure, you can upgrade to extra-legroom seats at no charge (pricing is dynamic, so the value varies by flight).
One flight in, and we’ve already saved over $900 — not a bad start. I’m excited to see how the numbers stack up over the next 11 months. Next up: back to Charleston for my son’s graduation!
