The ability to fly with a buddy for only taxes and fees is powerful. Southwest Companion Pass is practically unlimited, unlike others. Use it
as much as you like throughout your status. If two individuals fly, this doubles all points flight redemption rates and lowers cash bookings in half.
Two years ago, I redeemed 360,000 Marriott points for their Category 9 Travel Package to get 120,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points, enough
for the Southwest Companion Pass, and 7 nights for free at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island in March. Companion Passes were no longer available through this means in March 2017.
I started planning to minimize my wife's credit card applications so she was under 5/24 so she could apply for many Southwest Credit Cards to reach 110,000 points
Why schedule a Southwest Companion Pass two years ahead? I consider it the best points and miles deal.
Over the years, I've seen several individuals estimate the companion pass's value but never provide data. To determine the companion
pass's value, I examined my family's data and only included flights where a companion pass was used in 2017/2018.
Another reason to acquire the Companion Pass now: Hawaii. Southwest announced service to Honolulu, Maui, Kona, and Lihue earlier this year.
Southwest typically need 100 one-way trips per year to acquire this pass. If you can spend $110,000 on any of their credit cards (except Southwest airlines