Which is better? Alaska Companion Fare vs Southwest Companion Pass

 

Ah, Hawaii! So relaxing and pretty much top on everyone's bucket list. My neighbor just returned from Hawaii and was super excited to have scored a "free" ticket with her Alaska companion fare. The last time I went to Hawaii, I used my Southwest companion pass. 

So I decided to dig in and compare the Southwest Companion Pass with the Alaska Airlines Famous Companion Fare and see how they stack up. 

Which is tops? Alaska Companion Fare vs Southwest Companion Pass

Let's start with the Southwest Companion Pass. This is believed to be the best travel perk out there. It is good for buy one, get one FREE plane ticket for two years on every flight. I have had this pass for the last 8 years and it has saved me thousands of dollars. 

I have taken my family to Washington DC, Boston, Chicago and even Cuba. 

To get the pass, you need to earn 125,000 Southwest points in a single calendar year. Once you get the pass, it is good for the rest of that year and the following year. Your companion must fly with you on the same flights and you can change your companion three times per year. You can buy your ticket, which we don't recommend, OR use points and then add your companion. You still need to pay the taxes which are $5.60 per flight. 

You can add your companion to your flight right up until you fly. 

Earning 125,000 points may seem like a daunting task, but we share the secret here at almostfreefamilytravel.com about how to do it fast and easy. 

Which is tops? Alaska Companion Fare vs Southwest Companion Pass

The Alaska Airlines famous companion fare is $99 plus taxes and fees from $22. You get the companion fare every year on your credit card anniversary. Your companion must fly with you on the same flight. In fact, you must book the two tickets at the same time. 

You cannot use points to book either person's flight. But both people will earn miles on the flights. 

The companion fare is good for 12 months from the date of issue. 

The Mileage Plan member who owns the companion fare must be one of the travelers or the purchaser of the flights with their Alaska Airlines credit card. 

So let's break it down: 

1. Easy to earn: Alaska Airlines wins because the fare comes with your credit card every year on the anniversary. It's automatic. 

2. Best deal: Southwest Airlines wins here because you can pay for the flights with points and the taxes are just $5.60. You can also use the Southwest pass on unlimited number of flights for two years and you can only use the Alaska companion pass once. 

3. Ease of use: Southwest Airlines wins again because you can add your companion at any time to the flight up until you actually fly and on Alaska, you have to book the two people at the same time. I have actually changed my companion while on my trip. A bit risky, but it worked. 

4. Flexibility: Southwest wins again. You can change your companion up to three times per calendar year. 

Though the Alaska Companion Fare is better than paying full price and if you are loyal to Alaska or if you are looking at a very expensive flight, then the Alaska companion fare might make sense for you. But hands down, the Southwest Companion Pass still reigns as the best travel perk out there. 

Stay posted because as we get close to the end of the year, it will be time to earn the pass again for the next two years. But timing is everything! So stay tuned.