Travel Hack: Our $60 Flight Got Us a Free Hawaii Ticket

Southwest Airlines has brought back its limited-time Companion Pass promotion, and it’s one of the easiest ways to score a nearly free, and otherwise expensive, round-trip flight to or from Hawaii. The deal is straightforward: book any cheap Southwest flight now and unlock a free ticket for later.

For Hawaii-bound travelers, this is a golden opportunity. We’re using it to get a free Southwest ticket from Hawaii to the mainland later this summer, and you can do pretty much the same. Here’s how to take full advantage before the offer disappears.

The details of what you need to do now.

Southwest’s Companion Pass promotion requires travelers to register, book a flight between February 18 and March 31, 2025, and fly during that period. Once those flights are completed, the traveler earns a Companion Pass that is valid from August 7 to October 8, 2025.

Any cheap Southwest ticket purchased now can unlock significant savings for late summer travel. The pass allows a designated companion to fly free on all flights booked during the two-month window, aside from required taxes and fees.

A key requirement is to register for the promotion before booking the flights that qualify you for the offer. The deadline to book is February 20, 2025, so waiting too long could mean missing out.

How we’re using this to score a free Hawaii flight.

We’re booking $60 each way, $120 round-trip Southwest interisland flights next month on the short, relatively inexpensive route. That one trip will unlock the free Companion Pass later in the year.

When late summer arrives, we’ll use the pass to book a round-trip flight from Hawaii to the mainland, essentially getting a second ticket for free. Of course, that would work equally well when traveling from anywhere on the mainland to Oahu, the Big Island, Kauai, or Maui.

For those based in Hawaii or planning a trip to the islands, this represents major savings enough that we’re even jumping on it. This deal is worth considering.

Why this matters for Hawaii-bound travelers.

Southwest has changed Hawaii travel since it entered the market and is struggling to remain relevant. This Companion Pass deal is one of the easiest and biggest money-saving opportunities they have offered in months.

Southwest offers two free checked bags per person in addition to the offer. With a free companion ticket added, the savings are even greater.

This offer is hard to ignore for anyone traveling between August and October.

Pro tips for making the most of this deal.

Finding the cheapest Southwest flights right now is the key to making this deal work. Even if a flight wasn’t originally planned for the spring, a short-haul trip at a low cost might just work in order to unlock free travel later.

Booking before February 20 is essential. Thus waiting too long isn’t an option.

Final thoughts.

Southwest’s Companion Pass is considered by many to be one of the best loyalty perks in the airline industry, and this limited-time promotion makes it easier than ever to earn even though it is a short-duration, two-month companion offer.

For those already flying Southwest, this is a simple way to stretch travel dollars further. For those on the fence, booking a low-cost flight now could mean a free ticket to Hawaii later this year as it did for us. The deadline is approaching in two days’ time, so acting soon is the only way to get the deal.

Does this companion pass work for you?

Photo Credit: Beat of Hawaii at Baby Beach, Kauai.