Frequent Miler's latest team challenge, Million Mile Madness, is almost done! The last two weeks Greg, Nick, and Stephen competed to earn 1 Million SAS miles by flying 15 airlines. But who completed the challenge with the most Speed, Affordability, and Style?
The other day Southwest changed their terms to prohibit transfers from hotel, car rental and other loyalty programs from counting towards the Companion Pass. According to The Points Guy they have now temporarily backtracked.
The company released this statement:
As we began the New Year on January 1, we took the opportunity to close a loophole in our Rapid Rewards Companion Pass terms and conditions related to transferred points from our Partners. This was an effort intended to clarify qualification requirements for Companion Pass, one of the best benefits in travel, as well as to protect the integrity and value of the Rapid Rewards program.
In doing so, we updated our terms and conditions which now clearly state that points transferred from hotel and car loyalty programs, and e-Rewards, e-Miles, Valued Opinions and Diners Club will no longer count toward qualification for a Companion Pass. Members will continue to earn toward Companion Pass benefits through paid flights flown on Southwest, Points earned through spend with Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards credit cards, and base points earned through transactions with Rapid Rewards partners.
Many of you have reached out to us since then, and we greatly appreciate your honest and candid feedback. Because we are a Company that values our Customers and believes in doing the right thing, we are offering a limited window for Customers to earn toward Companion Pass by transferring their loyalty points from these Partners.
To that end, points converted from the above mentioned programs will count towards a Companion Pass until March 31, 2017. This is a hard deadline and we will not be able to make any exceptions beyond March 31. If you have points with these Partners that you wanted to transfer, please do not wait. Make the transfer before the deadline.
We appreciate all of our Customers and look forward to seeing you onboard very soon!
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
[…] With respect to Marriott Travel Packages, I already have one. In January I redeemed points for a 7 Night Travel Package and 120,000 Southwest points. The goal was to earn a Southwest Companion Pass before the opportunity closes on March 31st. After that date, points transferred from hotel programs will no longer count towards the Companion Pass. […]
[…] to kill the easiest path to a Companion Pass — and then had a change of heart and decided to reopen that path through March of 2017 — some speculated that a devaluation must be on the horizon. The theory […]
[…] The Southwest Companion Pass is, without a doubt, one of the best values in domestic travel. Recently, one of the ways to earn the companion pass ended: transfers from hotel partners no longer count towards Companion Pass qualification. […]
[…] of the more popular airline partners for these packages has been Southwest Airlines. Until March 31, 2017, points transferred to Southwest through these packages will still count toward…. We have recently written about the prospect of buying points for a package with Southwest or one […]
[…] Earning the Southwest Companion Pass Beyond 5/24 – It is much harder to earn the Companion Pass now with Chase’s strict rules, but there are ways. Note: Hotel transfers will no longer count towards the Companion Pass after March 31st, 2017. Read more here. […]
[…] Hotel Transfers Will Count Towards the Southwest Companion Pass through March 31! (Expires 3/31/17)[Hot]: This one technically doesn’t end this week, but transfers should be initiated as soon as possible to make sure that they count for the Companion Pass. Southwest has made it clear that they will not extend the expiration of this offer, so your last chance of redeeming hotel points towards a companion pass is coming this week. Remember that you do not need to earn all 110,000 points this week. Rather, March 31 is the last day that points transferred from hotels will count towards the companion pass. For those without hotel points but looking for a companion pass, read here about how you may be able to buy the necessary points. […]
[…] Hotel Transfers Will Count Towards the Southwest Companion Pass through March 31! (Expires 3/31/17)[Hot] […]
[…] Hotel Transfers Will Count Towards the Southwest Companion Pass through March 31! (Expires 3/31/17)[Hot] […]
[…] Hotel Transfers Will Count Towards the Southwest Companion Pass through March 31! […]
[…] that we have until March 31st to convert hotel points into Companion Pass qualifying Southwest points, I decided that it was time for me to make the plunge. By redeeming Marriott Rewards points for a […]
Husband and I each called in to order a hotel and flights package. (We each bought the max SPG points last year with 50% bonus, combined with my cache of Marriott points). Were both denied the 5-night package, but will be happy with 7-night package instead. The hotel certificate posted within a few hours; I got my companion pass 3 days later as promised.
I was told the hotel package was good for a year, but I could call to extend for another year. I was told if I wanted to upgrade the hotel category, I could pay the points difference.
Both of us were asked the name and SW number we wanted the miles transferred to. With my husband, the agent specifically commented “oh, you are transferring to yourself.” I’m wondering….does this mean I could redeem my hotel points into someone else’s SW account? Would have saved me from having to transfer all those hotel points to my husband in the first place!
Yes, I want to know the answer to this as well. Want to use the SW points to transfer into my parents account, as I’m already getting companion pass with my credit cards.
Yes, my understanding is that it is possible to send the Southwest points to others this way, but I don’t know for certain.
Anyone know which airfare comparison also includes SW? For instance Kayak doesn’t (though they include a link to SW). Thx.
Does anyone know if the SW CP pass is also valid on their flight and hotel packages? Meaning tagging a CP for no extra charge.
I transferred on 1/1/2017 120k miles not knowing they had changed their position. I called this morning after reading this and they gave me the credit for the 120k and issues the companion pass.
If only I could find a 7day stay at a cat 1-5 Marriott hotel anywhere in the world that is actually worth something to me. 7 days is a lot, and in many places there are plenty of better choices. And especially when Marriott Gold only gets you lounge/breakfast at very few of their brands compared to Hilton even.
Any suggestions on good cat1-5 Marriott properties where you wouldn’t get bored doing a full 7 days??