Commonly asked questions about Southwest's recent Rapid Rewards reboot and Companion Pass changes

On October 15, 2026, Southwest announced significant changes to its Rapid Rewards loyalty program. The airline will roll out new terminology soon while revising the perks and rules of various pieces of the program, all starting on January 1, 2027.Change often creates confusion, and this change is no exception. Southwest has switched up so many things in the last few years. Even Southwest frequent flyers may feel their heads spinning.Related: The new playbook for booking and flying with Southwest AirlinesSOUTHWEST AIRLINESThere are a lot of ways that the airline is marketing the changes as offering "more opportunity" for customers, and there are a few new modest perks of note.But points and miles enthusiasts who have largely been laser-focused on maximizing status perks or earning a Southwest Companion Pass are mostly losers in the new playbook.We've been hearing some common questions from TPG readers about the latest round of Southwest Rapid Rewards changes and what it means for status on the airline. Is your status changing in meaningful ways relative to your travel habits? Is the Companion Pass really dead?Here's what we know about the answers to these and other common questions....