How to Fly for Free in the USA
Updated 10/1/24
Southwest is one of the easiest airlines to fly for free in the United States. In fact, you can earn free travel for TWO. Here’s how…
WHY SOUTHWEST?
They offer a large variety of non-stop flights.
They have over 100+ destinations in North and Central America.
They are affordable.
They offer a Companion Pass.
They are fun!
WHAT IS THE COMPANION PASS?
The Companion Pass allows a designated person to travel with the primary ticket holder on the same flight(s) for free. You will be required to pay taxes on that flight which currently runs $5.60 per one-way ticket.
Important Note: When you earn the Companion Pass, it is good for the remainder of the current year AND the following year.
HOW DO YOU EARN THE PASS?
You can earn the Companion Pass in 3 ways.
Fly 100 qualifying flights in a calendar year.
Earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year.
Sign Up for a special Companion Pass offer (typically in February each year).
WHAT IS TRAVEL HACKING?
This method uses available programs and special offers to MAXIMIZE your travel benefits to make your dollars and points go further. Oftentimes you can stack several opportunities which result in FREE travel.
HOW TO FLY FOR FREE?
By utilizing bonus offers from Southwest you and a guest will be flying for free in no time.
OPTION 1: Special Companion Pass Offer (ONLY available in February)
Sign up for the Southwest Plus Personal Card and get 50,000 bonus points plus the Companion Pass through 2/28/24 when you spend $4000. You can use the points to book your ticket and add your companion for free. Hurry! This offer is only valid until 3/19/24.
OPTION 2: Earn 135,000 points With Bonuses
The most common way to achieve this is with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card. For starters, cardholders receive 10,000 points at the beginning of the year or within 30 days of opening a new card. New cardholders will also earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $3000 + a $400 statement credit. You still need an additional 95,000 points which you could earn with referrals (20-25K points each), through spending (1x-4x points per $1 spent), or with additional bonus offers.
*See Pro Tip Below
OPTION 3: Earn 135,000 points With Bonuses (MY PReferred method)
The fastest way to achieve this is with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card. Right now you can earn 40,000 bonus points after you spend $3000. Then, stack this with the Rapid Rewards Premier Card for another 40,000 bonus points after you spend $3000. Together, you could earn 80,000 points. You still need an additional 55,000 points which you could earn with referrals (20-25K points each), through spending (1x-4x points per $1 spent), or with additional bonus offers.
*See Pro Tip Below
OPTION 4: Earn 135,000 points With Bonuses (IF YOU HAVE A BUSINESS)
Another way to achieve this is with the Southwest Performance Business Card. Right now you can earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5000. You could stack this with a personal card (40K points) in Option 2 or 3. Together, you could earn 120,000 points.
*See Pro Tip Below
PRO TIP: It’s best to utilize Options 2, 3 or 4 as early in the year as possible. Because the Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the current year AND the following year, you would essentially get 2 years of the Companion Pass.
My advice is to open a card after October 1st and start spending. BUT be careful that you wait to hit the minimum spend until after January 1st so that your bonus points are applied in the new year. This will ensure you can utilize the Companion Pass for a full 24 months.
When you earn the Companion Pass this way, it’s valid for the remainder of the year PLUS the following year.
COMPANION PASS TIPS
You do not have to redeem your points for the pass. As soon as 135,000 points are applied to your account, the Companion Pass will become available.
You can use the bonus points you earned to book flights for yourself, then add the complimentary Companion Ticket - this means FREE travel for TWO people.
If you earn the Companion Pass through points (vs. a special offer) it is valid for the remainder of that calendar year AND the following year.
You can change your companion 3x per year. It does not have to be a family member and can be anyone you designate.
You can add a Companion to a previously booked ticket as long as there are seats still available.
Purchased points will not help you qualify for a Companion Pass.
Of note, yes, these cards do have an annual fee. However, you are getting 15x more value. For example, in Option 4 you would spend $268 in annual fees but you are earning $4,000 in free flights for you and your favorite travel buddy!
For International Travel, I use Delta Airlines (earn 85K points)
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