Chase’s three personal Southwest cards now offer 80,000 points, 85,000 points and 90,000 points. Each is 30,000 points higher than the offer Chase showed on October 29. Apply and get approved by December 2, 2026, and Southwest says the bonus still counts toward a Companion Pass valid through December 31, 2027. Bonuses on cards approved after that date won’t count.
The Companion Pass lets one person you choose fly with you on Southwest for taxes and fees only. From 2027 Southwest stops counting card bonuses toward it, as we covered in our Companion Pass 2027 changes post, so this is the last card offer to help with the pass.
The deal
- Plus ($99 fee): 80,000 points after $1,000 in purchases in 3 months, per Chase’s Plus page.
- Premier ($149 fee): 85,000 points after $2,000 in 3 months, per Chase’s Premier page.
- Priority ($229 fee): 90,000 points after $3,000 in 3 months, per Chase’s Priority page.
- Companion Pass deadline: apply and be approved on or before December 2, 2026.
- Offer end date: none published. Chase labels each one a limited-time offer.
- Program: Southwest Rapid Rewards, issued by Chase.
Key terms
- The Companion Pass rule: Southwest’s 2027 FAQ says the bonus counts toward a pass valid through December 31, 2027. It counts “even if the spend threshold is met in early 2027.”
- Chase’s version: the Priority card’s terms say only points posted by 12/31/2026, plus this bonus, “are eligible for qualification toward Companion Pass status for the remainder of 2026 and through 2027.”
- One personal card at a time: Chase won’t approve you if you hold any Southwest card now. It also excludes anyone who got a Southwest card bonus in the last 24 months.
- Posting time: Chase says to allow 6 to 8 weeks after you meet the spend for the bonus to reach your Rapid Rewards account.
- What 2027 changes: a pass earned in 2026 keeps unlimited trips through December 31, 2027, per Southwest’s Companion Pass changes page. Welcome bonuses stop counting in 2027.
How to reach 135,000 points with two cards
The 2026 pass needs 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points. One personal bonus gets you most of the way, and a Southwest business card closes the gap. The Premier Business card is back to 60,000 points after $3,000 in 3 months, down from the 80,000-point offer that ended October 26.
| Pairing | Bonus points | Spend needed | First-year fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plus + Premier Business | 80,000 + 60,000 = 140,000 | $4,000 | $99 + $149 = $248 |
| Premier + Premier Business | 85,000 + 60,000 = 145,000 | $5,000 | $149 + $149 = $298 |
| Priority + Premier Business | 90,000 + 60,000 = 150,000 | $6,000 | $229 + $149 = $378 |
Each pairing clears 135,000 points on the bonuses alone, before counting the points from the spend itself. That matters because points from regular spending have to post by December 31, 2026 to count, but the bonuses still count if they arrive in early 2027.
Tip: apply for the personal card first. Chase’s personal card terms exclude anyone who already holds a Southwest card, and the wording doesn’t carve out business cards. Holding the business card first might block the personal approval. Chase’s once-per-lifetime wording on the business card turned out to be a mistake Chase removed, but read the business terms before you apply.
Our take
Apply now if you fly Southwest with the same person at least 4 times a year. The Plus and Premier Business pairing costs $248 in fees and $4,000 of spending. At 1.25 cents a point, the value The Points Guy uses for Rapid Rewards, the 140,000 bonus points are worth about $1,750 in flights. The pass comes on top: if your companion takes 6 round trips at $200 each way, it saves you about $2,400 through 2027.
The Plus card is the best value of the three. It pays 80,000 points for $1,000 of spending, which works out to 80 points per dollar, against 30 points per dollar on the Priority. The Priority makes sense only if you’d use its perks, such as the Extra Legroom seat upgrades and 7,500 anniversary points against its $229 fee. Our points valuation guide puts most airline points between 1 and 1.5 cents, so 80,000 points for a $99 fee is a strong airline card offer even without the pass.
Skip it if you don’t fly Southwest at least twice a year, or if you’re over Chase’s 5/24 limit and would rather save that slot for a Sapphire or Ink card. Personal Southwest cards still waive the $45 first checked bag for you and up to 8 people on your reservation. That perk is the main reason to keep one after the first year.
FAQ
Do I have to meet the spending requirement by December 2?
No. You need to apply and be approved by December 2, 2026. Southwest says the bonus counts even if you meet the spend in early 2027.
Which Southwest card has the best offer?
The Plus card, at 80,000 points after $1,000 of spending for a $99 fee. The Priority pays 10,000 more points but needs $3,000 of spending and costs $229.
Can I get two Southwest personal cards for the Companion Pass?
No. Chase won’t approve a personal Southwest card if you hold any Southwest card. Most people pair one personal card with the Premier Business card, which currently pays 60,000 points.
How long does a Companion Pass earned this way last?
Through December 31, 2027. Southwest says a pass earned under the 2026 rules keeps unlimited trips through the end of 2027.
When does this offer end?
Chase hasn’t published an end date. For the Companion Pass, the date that matters is approval by December 2, 2026.
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