Southwest's Companion Pass Rules Change December 2 - And Two Card Offers Could Lock In the Old Ones

Happy Sunday! Several deadlines landed this week, led by Southwest's new card bonuses of up to 90,000 points and a Companion Pass rule change. Let's get straight to what matters.

Southwest is offering up to 90,000 bonus points on its personal cards, and you need to apply by December 2 to beat a Companion Pass rule change. From 2027, card signup bonuses stop counting toward the pass. That's less than four weeks, and Companion Pass strategy takes planning: which card, when to apply, and how the points count toward the pass. (Better to map it out now than panic on December 1.)

Kenya Airways will sell you SkyTeam Elite Plus status for $299. Yes, really. The Asante Rewards paid status match works for US residents and accepts airline, hotel, and even credit card status as the qualifier.

Why does that matter? SkyTeam Elite Plus is recognized by every SkyTeam airline, including Delta, Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. That means lounge access on international SkyTeam trips and priority perks across a big chunk of the alliance, for a price that's a fraction of what flying your way there would cost.

And the kicker: your credit card status alone can be enough to qualify. Before you pay, it's worth understanding exactly how the match works and what you'll actually get at each airline.

This is the best public welcome bonus the card has offered: 100,000 points plus a 25,000-point Global Companion Award ($395 annual fee). Bank of America hasn't said when it ends, so if Alaska or Atmos Rewards is on your radar, now's the time to look.

This is the highest-ever welcome offer on the Executive card, but Citi hasn't published when it ends. The annual fee is now $695. If you've been eyeing Admirals Club access, don't count on the offer sticking around.

Chase's 80% transfer bonus to IHG looks far better than it actually is, because IHG points are worth so little. Capital One also handed out a 20% transfer bonus to Flying Blue this week. Read before you transfer, because points can't be un-transferred.

🤓 Sunday Trivia

Have a great week, and don't let that December 2 date sneak up on you.

- Jack