A low-cost carrier still spreads love while Valentine’s Day may be over.

Southwest Airlines recently announced the “bring a friend for free” promotion, which provides travelers who complete several tasks with a coveted Companion Pass or free ticket for a second passenger.

The airline offers a limited-time companion pass for travelers who register on its website and purchase a roundtrip or two one-way flights by February 20, 2025, at 111:59 pm CST. The flights must be completed by March 31, 2025. Once the two criteria are met, the companion pass will be issued and available between August 7, 2025, and October 8, 2025. Travelers can book the flights with either cash payments, Rapid Rewards points, or the new Cash + Points option.

Southwest says it will email qualifying passengers to notify them they have completed the tasks and add the companion pass to their Rapid Rewards frequent flyer account. The companion fare is free when the primary traveler books a ticket; however, the companion is still responsible for paying taxes and government fees.

While the travel period is limited, it could help passengers save on late summer vacations or early fall getaways. The companion pass period is also during the travel industry’s ‘shoulder season’, an off-peak time when hotels and attractions offer discounted rates for travelers.

Southwest’s website mentions, “Traveling is more fun with a plus-one. “Take a friend or Family Member with you on your next Southwest flight when you earn a Companion Pass.”

Southwest offers a full-year companion pass to travelers who fly 100 one-way flight segments or have earned 135,000 points in a calendar year. The airline also offers the companion pass through certain spending thresholds on their credit card.

Frontier Just Launched New Routes to Miami, Las Vegas, Austin, and More—With Deals From $19

By Michael Cappetta, Published on February 19, 2025

Booking a summer vacation just got cheaper.

Frontier Airlines recently announced 14 new or expanding routes, including the Boise, ID (BOI) relaunch and Spokane, WA (GEG). The airline will also expand service in Austin, TX (AUS), Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (BQN), Las Vegas, NV (LAS), Miami, FL (MIA), and other markets.

In celebration of the new fares, Frontier is discounting one-way tickets as low as $19 on bookings made before 111:59 pm on February 24, 2025. The tickets can be purchased for travel from May 15, 2025, to August 18, 2025. Travelers should be aware there are several blackout dates, and the tickets do not include perks such as seat assignment, carry-on luggage, or checked baggage, all of which require extra fee payments.

From Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Austin, TX, the airline will begin service to Miami International Airport (MIA) and Philadelphia Airport (PHL) on May 22, both operating three times a week. In Music City, Nashville International Airport (BNA) will also begin service to Cleveland, OH (CLE), three times a week on May 23.

On the West Coast, Frontier will begin a new route from Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to Tucson, AZ (TUS) on May 22, 2025, and also a new daily service connecting Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

“With new affordable travel options across the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico—which join our already expansive network—budget-savvy consumers will be able to do and see more for less with Frontier this year,” Frontier Airlines’ Vice President of Network Operations and Design, Josh Flyr shared in a statement to Travel + Leisure. 

The flights will begin service gradually, rolling between May 15, 2025, and May 24, 2025. The airline shared with T+L that they expect these to be full-year routes, with seasonal adjustments as needed. The May takeoff makes them perfect for travelers looking to book a summer vacation or early fall trip.

Australia Flights Are on Sale for Less Than $800 Roundtrip With American Airlines—How to Book

The deals end on March 2. By Brandon Withrow, Published on February 19, 2025

American Airlines is making getting to Australia more affordable with a new deal.

A flight to Australia is a long haul, so it’s nice when it isn’t a long haul on your pocketbook. For a limited time, American Airlines is making a roundtrip flight to Sydney, Australia, from the US starting at $899 and one-way flights starting at only 30,000 miles.

The promotion from American’s deal advertises a roundtrip starting price of $899, but T+L spotted some even lower flights. For example, a flight booked from Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney on March 1, 2025, came in at $796 per person, and a roundtrip flight from Chicago (ORD) to Sydney came in at $852 per person.

There are some important restrictions for this deal. Flights are valid for reservations between February 17, 2025, and March 2, 2025. Travel must be from the United States to Sydney (SYD) and booked for the following dates to get their special prices:

• January 15 to July 13, 2025 F
• July 24, 2025, to December 5, 2025
• December 23 to December 25, 2025
• January 15 to July 13, 2026.

If you redeem miles for their one-way, 30,000-mile offer, availability is limited, and only valid fUS US flights to Australia are available in the 48 contiguous states. The offer is only for those reservations made from tUS.S. between February 17 and April 17, 2025, and for returning to tUS.S. between February 17 and April 1, 2025. Travel dates from tUS.S. should be between March 10 and April 17, 2025, and returning to tUS.S. between March 5 and April 1, 2025. Stopovers cannot be combined with this offer.”

Although we won’t be taking advantage of any of these deals due to our pre-existing itinerary, we felt it was important to share them with you. (We do not earn any compensation for promoting these airlines).

Be well.