Where to fly with the Southwest Companion Pass (USA)
Affiliate Disclosure: Melissa's Travel Addiction has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Melissa's Travel Addiction and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Have you earned a Southwest Companion pass this year? Or maybe you are thinking about earning one for next year? Either way, here are some great ideas for the best USA destinations to fly to with your Southwest companion pass.
And if you don’t know how to earn a companion pass or know what that is, grab my free guide HERE.
When you earn the Southwest companion pass, you can have a companion fly with you by paying just the taxes all year long and hopefully up to two years, if you plan it correctly. Your ticket can be booked with points or cash!
This year I earned a companion pass through a sign-up bonus and my husband earned one as well but through the traditional way. His will be good until next year but mine expires at the end of 2021. This year, we have been traveling several times a month because we’re trying to get the biggest benefit out of my companion pass.
Flying a companion for free is amazing, but only if you will use the benefit enough to get a good value out of it. If you’re only going to use the pass once or twice, and it is a struggle for you to earn it, then it may not be the best goal for you.
This year Southwest was not flying to a lot of international destinations, but we had the companion passes, so we took advantage of it by exploring the United States. Below are some of our favorite destinations.
Instagram is where I share all of my trips. Come follow our journeys here.
Here are some of our favorite destinations where Southwest flies. And chances are if you are a holder of a Southwest companion pass, you have tons of other credit card points as well. Included below are the best places to stay with points at the destination.
Bozeman, Montana
Things to see in the area: Yellowstone National Park, Grand Tetons, Big Sky, & Missoula
Best Hotel Points Redemptions near Yellowstone:
West Yellowstone Holiday Inn (23,000-75,000 IHG points/ nightly)Great for families!
Fairfield Inn and Suites Yellowstone (35,000 Marriott points/nightly)Great for families!
Residence Inn Big Sky/The Wilson Hotel (35,000 Marriott points/nightly)Great for families!
Best Hotel Points Redemptions near Grand Tetons:
The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection (60,000 Marriott points/nightly)
SpringHill Suites Jackson Hole (50,000 Marriott points/nightly)Great for families!
Related: How to see Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons in a long weekend.
2. Orlando, Florida
Things to see in the area: Walt Disneyworld Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, Waterparks or take a cruise from Port Canaveral
Best Hotel Points Redemptions near Walt Disneyworld Resort:
Walt Disney World Dolphin or Swan Reserve (50,000 Marriott points/nightly)Great for families!
Springhill Suites Orlando Theme Parks (25,000 Marriott points/nightly) Great for large families!
Gaylord Palms Resort (35,000 Marriott points/nightly) Great for families!
Orlando World Center Marriott (35,000 Marriott points/nightly)Great for families!
Hyatt Regency Orlando (12,000 Hyatt points/nightly)Great for families!
Orlando Suites- Waterpark Holiday Inn Resort (28,000 IHG points/nightly) Great for large families- 2 bedroom suite!
Best Hotel Points Redemptions near Universal Studios Resort:
Hyatt House across from Universal (12,000 Hyatt points/nightly)Great for families!
Residence Inn Near Universal Orlando (35,000 Marriott points/nightly)Great for families!
Universal Orlando Holiday Inn (13,000 IHG points/nightly)Great for families!
Do you want to get discounts on theme park tickets and Disney cruises? You should be a travel agent!
Related: How to become a home-based travel agent
3. Seattle
Things to see in the area: Seattle Downtown, Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park, Mount Baker, Bellingham, San Juan Islands, & Leavenworth
Best Hotel Points Redemptions near Leavenworth:
Hampton Inn and Suites Leavenworth- (53,000+ Hilton points/nightly)Great for families!
Related: Kid-friendly Activities in Bellingham, Washington
Best Hotel Points Redemptions near Olympic National Park:
Fairfield Inn and Suites Poulsbo (17,500 Marriott points/nightly) Great for families!
Sequim Holiday Inn Express (33,000 IHG points/nightly)Great for families!
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Seattle:
Hyatt Regency Lake Washington (12,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
Thompson Seattle (20,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
Hotel Monaco Seattle (33,000 IHG points/nightly)
Springhill Suites Seattle Downtown/South Lake Union (35,000 Marriott points/nightly) Great for families!
4. Hawaii
Things to see in the area: Maui, Kauai, Big Island, & Oahu
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Maui:
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort (25,000 Hyatt points/nightly) Great for families!
*Hyatt Residence Club Maui (30,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
*While this is a great resort for families, I prefer to listen to a timeshare presentation to get a discounted stay, rather than use so many Hyatt points. See my post here on how we stayed at this resort.
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa Ka’anapali (50,000 Marriott points/nightly) Great for families!
Wailea Beach Resort (60,000 Marriott points/nightly)
**The Westin Nanea Ocean Resort Villas (70,000Marriott points/nightly)
**While this is a great resort for families, I prefer to listen to a timeshare presentation to get a discounted stay, rather than use so many Hyatt points. See my post here on how we stayed at this resort.
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Kauai:
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa (25,000 Hyatt points/nightly) Great for families!
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas (60,000 Marriott points/nightly) Great for families!
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Big Island:
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort (50,000 Marriott points/nightly) Great for families!
Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel (35,000 Marriott points/nightly) Low point redemption!
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Oahu:
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa (40,000 Marriott points/nightly)
Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach (15,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa (20,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
Waikiki Holiday Inn Express (37,000 IHG points/nightly)
5. Lake Tahoe
Things to see in the area: Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Eagle and Cascade falls, Boating & Parasailing, Heavenly Resort Coaster, Emerald Bay, Skiing & Snowmobiling
Related: Best beaches in Lake Tahoe
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Lake Tahoe:
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort (25,000 Hyatt Points/nightly)
Resort at Squaw Creek (25,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
Marriott Grand Residence (60,000 Marriott points/nightly) 2 Bedroom! Great for large families!
Springhill Suites in Truckee (35,000 Marriott points/nightly) Great for large families!
6. San Francisco
Things to see in the area: San Francisco, San Jose, Muir Woods, Half Moon Bay, Monterey & Carmel by the Sea
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in San Francisco:
Hotel Kabuki (20,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square (40,000 Marriott points/nightly)
San Francisco Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf (35,000 Marriott points/nightly)
Kimpton Alton Hotel (45,000 IHG points/nightly)
7. Phoenix/Scottsdale
Things to see in the area: Scottsdale & Sedona
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Scottsdale:
The Phoenician, Scottsdale (60,000 Marriott points/nightly) Great for families!
Adero Scottsdale, Autograph Collection (35,000 Marriott points/nightly)
Related: Romantic Stay at the Adero Scottsdale Resort for Valentine’s Weekend
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa (20,000 Hyatt points/nightly) Great for families!
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows (25,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
Related: Best Family Resorts in Scottsdale, Arizona
8. Nashville
Things to see in the area: Downtown area, Franklin, Great Smokey Mountains
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Nashville:
Kimpton Aertson Hotel (30,000 IHG points, nightly)
Gaylord Opryland Resort (35,000 Marriott points, nightly) Great for families!
Holston House Nashville (20,000 Hyatt points, nightly)
Related: A Weekend in Nashville for less than $25
9. Panama City Beach
Things to see in the area: 30A including, Seaside & Aly’s Beach
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in PCB/Destin:
Holiday Inn Express Panama City Beach Beachfront (40,000 IHG points/nightly) Great for large families with ocean views!
SpringHill Suites Panama City Beach Beachfront (35,000 Marriott points/nightly) Great for large families!
Hyatt Place Sandestin/at Grand Boulevard (12,000 Hyatt points/nightly) Great for large families!
10. Austin
Things to see in the area: Downtown, Great Restaurants, Ladybird Lake, Magnolia Market in Waco
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Austin:
Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt (40,000 IHG points/nightly)
Hyatt Regency Austin (15,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
Hyatt Place Austin Downtown (15,000 Hyatt points/nightly) Great for families!
SpringHill Suites Austin Northwest/The Domain Area (18,000 Marriott points/nightly) Great for families!
11. New Orleans
Things to see in the area: The city of New Orleans, French Quarter
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in New Orleans:
The Eliza Jane (15,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
Hyatt Centric French Quarter (15,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
Hotel Fontenot (29,000 IHG points/nightly)
Q&C HotelBar New Orleans, Autograph Collection (35,000 Marriott points/nightly)
The Saint Hotel, New Orleans, French Quarter (50,000 Marriott points/nightly)
12. Salt Lake City
Things to see in the area: The City Center, Ice Castles in Midway, Park City, Wasatch Mountains, Various Ski Resorts
Best Hotel Points Redemptions near Salt Lake City:
Hyatt Place Provo (5,000 Hyatt Points/nightly)
Heber City Holiday Inn Express (17,000 IHG points/nightly) Great for families, can sleep up to 6!
Springhill Suites Salt Lake City Sugar House (15,000Marriott points/nightly)
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Park City:
Hotel Park City, Autograph Collection (50,000 Marriott points/nightly) Great for families!
Hyatt Place Park City (15,000 Hyatt points/nightly) Great for families!
Related: Budget-friendly Utah Family Road Trip
13. Telluride/Montrose
Things to see in the area: Telluride, Ouray (Switzerland of America), Durango, Silverton, Durango-Silverton Train
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Durango:
Holiday Inn Durango Central (19,000 IHG points/nightly) Great for families, get a room with a balcony!
Springhill Suites Durango (35,000 points/nightly) Great for families!
Mesa Verde-Cortez Holiday Inn Express (15,000 IHG points/nightly) Great for families, rooms with bunk beds!
14. Buffalo, NY
Things to see in the area: Niagara Falls, Toronto
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Niagara:
Niagra Falls Marriott on the Falls (50,000 Marriott points/nightly)
Sheraton Fallsview Hotel (50,000 Marriott points/nightly)
Niagra Falls- Fallsview (20,000 IHG points/nightly) Great for families! Indoor waterpark!
Best Hotel Points Redemptions in Toronto:
The Anndore House, part of JdV by Hyatt (12,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
Park Hyatt Toronto (25,000 Hyatt points/nightly)
Saint George Hotel (35,000 IHG points/nightly(35,000 Marriott points/nightly)
Of course, there are many more amazing destinations that Southwest Airlines flies to, but these are some of our favorites.
Honorable mentions:
Fresno- To visit Yosemite National Park or Sequoia National Park!
San Antonio- Riverwalk and the Texas Hill Country
I will add more destinations to this list as we travel. We saved thousands from just our companion pass this year. Southwest Companion Pass can help you see the amazing sights of the United States. What are you waiting for?
Affiliate Disclosure: Melissa's Travel Addiction has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Melissa's Travel Addiction and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
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