What is the Age Policy for the Southwest Companion Pass?

Is there an age limit for Southwest Companion? Traveling just got a lot more fun, especially if you’re thinking about flying with Southwest Airlines. 

It’s a special benefit that lets you bring someone along on your flights for free, potentially for up to two years. 

But here’s a question many people have; is there an age limit for who can be your free travel friend with the Southwest Companion Pass? Knowing is beneficial when you’re planning a family holiday or a trip with a friend.

Let’s jump into everything you need to know about the Southwest Companion Pass, especially any rules about how old your companion needs to be.

Is there an Age Limit for Southwest Companion?

There’s no age limit when it comes to using the Southwest Companion Pass. 

You can make the most of this benefit whether you’re flying alone or with company, without worrying about age restrictions.

The interesting part is there are no blackout dates or seat limitations to contend with. 

No matter when or where you want to fly, you can bring your designated companion without any stress.

Southwest goes the extra mile by allowing pass holders to reserve a seat for their companion, even if it is the last available flight. 

What’s the Number of Companions Allowed with Southwest?

If you have a Southwest Companion Pass, you can switch your designated companion up to three times every calendar year. 

This means you can have a total of four companions: your original companion plus up to three new ones. 

Remember, you can only have one designated companion at any time.

Can a Child Be My Southwest Companion?

Southwest Airlines’ policy and computer system restricts the application of TSA pre-check to minors only if they travel under the same reservation number as the primary traveler. 

However, if your child is designated as your companion, Southwest’s policy and computer system will assign them a separate reservation number. 

Consequently, in this situation, your child will not receive TSA pre-check benefits due to the structure of Southwest’s policy and computer system.

Can You Earn the Companion Pass Twice?

You can’t have two companion passes simultaneously, so you can only book one companion at a time. 

However, if your child also has a companion pass, they can designate one companion too.

To add a travel companion to your booking, please log into the account of the Companion Pass holder and make a reservation for the companion.

Booking your reservations separately may be necessary if the system doesn’t provide a facility for two Companion Pass holders to make their reservations together.

First, reserve them together and, if it doesn’t work, cancel and rebook separately.

Book the adult’s ticket first with the confirmation number ready at the time of booking the child’s ticket to ensure that everything is done correctly.

What is Southwest’s Minimum Age for Flying Alone?

Children between the ages of 5 and 11 can fly without an adult accompanying them on Southwest Airlines.

You can buy tickets online through the Southwest website, at the ticket counter, or just by calling our staff members.

Nevertheless, there is a limitation that unaccompanied minors (UMs) are not allowed to travel on international flights and flights that have connecting flights.

Ensure that the kid’s itinerary is for a nonstop flight or a flight with a stop not requiring changing airplanes. This ensures that they have a smooth and relaxing trip without any issues or stress.

How to Prepare an Unaccompanied Minor for Travel

Here are some steps to help you prepare:

1. Ensure you have copies of the itinerary: Make sure that you have printed or digital versions of the flight details of the child which includes departure and arrival times, flight numbers, and layover information.

2. Provide contact information: Ensure that the child has the phone number of the particular person who will be waiting for them at the airport at the end of the trip.

3. Download the Southwest app: Push the kid or their guardian to download the Southwest Airlines mobile app to remain informed about the flight status.

4. Refer to official guidelines: Let the child and yourself know about the U.S. Department of Transportation’s guide that is called, ‘When Kids Fly Alone.’

5. Pack snacks: Make some snacks and foods available in the child’s carry-on bag to keep him/her energized during the travel.

6. Charge electronic devices: Make sure that the child’s electronic devices, like smartphones or tablets, are fully charged before going to the airport. If they are not, this can cause a lot of stress before the trip.

How to Drop Off an Unaccompanied Minor

Dropping off an unaccompanied minor at the airport can be a smooth process with these simple steps:

1. Arrive Early: Be at the gate at least 45 minutes before the flight departs. Find an airline employee at the gate and let them know you’re there with an unaccompanied minor.

2. Hand in the Paperwork: Provide the airline agent with the completed paperwork for the unaccompanied minor that you received when you checked in.

3. Lanyard and Identification: The airline will give you a lanyard for the child who holds the unaccompanied minor form. The child should wear this lanyard the whole time they’re flying.

4. Pre-Boarding: An airline employee will take the child onto the plane before everyone else starts boarding.

5. Wait for Takeoff: Stay in the gate area until the plane is safely in the air. The airline staff will let you know when it’s okay to leave.

6. Inform the Receiver: Once the plane has taken off, call the person picking up the child to inform them that the flight is on its way.

Understanding the Southwest Companion Pass can greatly simplify your travel plans and enhance your journeys. 

It’s an incredible travel deal that lets you bring a companion along for just the cost of taxes and fees on any Southwest flight for up to two years.

To get a Companion Pass, you have to earn 135,000 qualifying points in a year or complete 100 one-way flights. 

The good news is credit card welcome offers count as qualifying points, making it potentially easier than you might imagine to earn a Companion Pass.