To add a Companion Pass companion to your Southwest reservation, you’ll first assign your companion in your Rapid Rewards account, then attach them to each flight you book.

How to Add Companion Pass Southwest (Step‑by‑Step Guide)

1. Before You Add a Companion

You can only add a companion if:

  • You’ve already earned the Southwest Companion Pass for the current period (usually through qualifying points or flights).
  • Your Southwest Rapid Rewards number is attached to the reservation you want to use.
  • There is still at least one seat left for sale on that flight (no blackout dates, but there must be inventory).

You’ll pay only taxes and fees for your companion’s ticket (typically around 5–6 USD each way on domestic flights) while your own ticket can be paid with cash or points.

2. How to Designate Your Companion in Your Account

If this is your first time using the Companion Pass, you must assign who your “companion” is.

On Southwest.com (desktop browser)

  1. Go to southwest.com and log in to your Rapid Rewards account.
  2. Open your account Dashboard / Snapshot area.
  3. Look for a button like “Choose Your Companion” or “Add Companion” under your Companion Pass status.
  4. Enter your companion’s details exactly as on their ID:
    • Full legal name
    • Date of birth
    • Gender
    • Address
    • Email
    • Phone number
    • Known Traveler Number/Redress if they have one
  5. Save/confirm the companion.

By phone

  • Call Southwest customer service and ask to designate a Companion Pass companion.
  • Provide all the same personal details so they can attach that person to your account.

You can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year , but each change fully replaces the old companion for future trips, and you must re‑add the new companion to any flights.

3. How to Add Your Companion to a New Flight

Once a companion is assigned to your account, you add them on each reservation after booking your own ticket.

Step‑by‑step (website)

  1. Book your own flight as usual:
    • Log in, search for your route and dates.
    • Select 1 passenger (just you).
    • Pay using cash or Rapid Rewards points.
  2. After purchase, go to My Trips (or “Upcoming trips”) while logged in.
  3. Find the reservation you want to use your Companion Pass on.
  4. Click the “Add Companion” button or link:
    • This usually appears near your flight details on both the website and app.
  5. Confirm your companion’s pre‑filled information.
  6. Continue through the booking flow to:
    • Review the itinerary.
    • Pay the taxes and fees for your companion’s ticket.
  7. Complete the purchase.
    • Your companion will get their own confirmation number , even though they’re tied to your reservation.

Step‑by‑step (mobile app)

  1. Open the Southwest app and sign in.
  2. Tap Trips → Upcoming.
  3. Select your flight.
  4. Tap “Add Companion” (often a blue “+ Companion” icon).
  5. Verify companion details, then proceed to payment of taxes/fees.
  6. Finish and note their separate confirmation number.

It’s best to add your companion immediately after you book your own ticket so they don’t miss out if the flight fills up.

4. How to Add a Companion to an Existing Reservation

If you already booked your flight and decided later to use the Companion Pass, you can still add them as long as:

  • You have your Companion Pass active.
  • The flight still shows at least one seat available for sale.

Online / App method

  1. Log in to your account.
  2. Go to My Trips → Upcoming.
  3. Select the existing reservation.
  4. Hit “Add Companion”.
  5. Confirm companion details and pay taxes/fees.
  6. Complete the transaction and note the companion’s confirmation number.

Phone method

  • Call Southwest’s reservations line and ask them to add your Companion Pass companion to your existing booking if you prefer an agent to handle it.

5. Important Rules and Gotchas

Here are the key rules people often trip over:

  • Your companion must be designated first.
    You can’t add “Companion” to a flight until your account has a named, approved companion.

  • Your companion can’t fly without you.
    They must be on the same flights and itinerary as the passholder; they can’t use the pass to travel alone or with someone else.

  • You can change companions only three times per calendar year.
    Each change replaces the previous companion going forward.

  • One companion at a time.
    You cannot have two different companions on separate flights at the same time.

  • Inventory still matters.
    No blackout dates, but there must be at least one seat left on the flight to attach your companion.

  • Separate confirmation number.
    You’ll each have your own confirmation code, but you travel on the same flights and can check in together.

6. Mini FAQ and Quick Scenarios

Can I book my flight now and add the companion later?

Yes. Book your own ticket first, then come back anytime (before the flight fills) to My Trips → Add Companion. Just remember, if the flight sells out, you can’t add them.

Can I use points for my ticket and still add a companion?

Yes. Your ticket can be cash or Rapid Rewards points; your companion still only pays taxes/fees.

Can both parents add kids as companions?

Yes, if both adults have their own Companion Pass.
Example: Two adults each hold a Companion Pass, they buy two paid/points tickets, then each adds one child as a companion on their own reservation.

What if I change or cancel my flight?

  • If you change your flight, you may need to re‑add your companion to the updated itinerary.
  • If you cancel your ticket, your companion’s ticket will also be canceled since it’s tied to your reservation.

7. SEO Elements for Your Post

Suggested H1

How to Add Companion Pass on Southwest (Step‑by‑Step 2026 Guide)

Suggested H2/H3 Ideas

  • H2: What Is the Southwest Companion Pass?
  • H2: How to Designate Your First Companion
  • H2: How to Add a Companion to a New Southwest Flight
    • H3: Adding a Companion in the Southwest App
    • H3: Adding a Companion on the Website
  • H2: Adding a Companion to Existing Reservations
  • H2: Key Rules, Limits, and Common Mistakes
  • H2: Real‑World Examples and FAQs

Example meta description (under 160 characters)

Learn exactly how to add a Southwest Companion Pass companion in 2026, step by step, including website, app, and phone methods plus key rules and limits.

HTML table snippet (as requested)

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Action</th>
      <th>Where to Do It</th>
      <th>Key Steps</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Designate your first companion</td>
      <td>Southwest.com account dashboard</td>
      <td>Log in → “Choose Your Companion” → Enter companion details → Save</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Add companion to new flight</td>
      <td>My Trips (website or app)</td>
      <td>Book your own ticket → My Trips → “Add Companion” → Pay taxes/fees → Confirm</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Add companion to existing reservation</td>
      <td>My Trips or phone</td>
      <td>Open reservation → “Add Companion” or call support → Confirm → Pay taxes/fees</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Change your companion</td>
      <td>Account Snapshot or phone</td>
      <td>Update designated person (up to 3 times/year) → Re‑add to future flights</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR:
Earn the Southwest Companion Pass, designate your companion once in your Rapid Rewards profile, then for each trip book your own ticket first and use the “Add Companion” button in My Trips to attach them and pay only taxes and fees.