This is a clip from a recent full-length episode you can listen to for more information:    • Southwest Companion Pass in 2026 with Max …  

Which Southwest credit cards should you get?

In this Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast episode, Justin chats with Max Craig from Points to the Max to break down exactly how to earn and maximize the Southwest Companion Pass for 2026.

We cover the best timing for points, which cards to open (and when), stacking strategies, and what recent program tweaks mean for your plan.

Whether you’re brand-new to points or already flying regularly, you’ll get a practical, step-by-step gameplan to secure the companion pass and squeeze maximum value from it, plus intel on routes, hubs, and event meetups to level up your travel.

What you’ll learn

The cleanest timeline to lock the 2026 Southwest Companion Pass

Which credit cards to consider and how to sequence them

Points vs. flights: the math to qualify efficiently

Recent Southwest program changes (and what still works)

Hubs, routes, and positioning strategies

Opportunity cost: when not to chase it

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