The Magic Combo:Southwest Companion Pass + World of Hyatt Points

These two programs together unlock an incredible range of family trips — and what they have in common is that you can stop stressing about the cost of flights and hotels and put that money toward amazing experiences instead.

🎧 Episode Overview

What happens when you combine the Southwest Companion Pass with World of Hyatt points? You get one of the most versatile family travel strategies out there — whether you’re looking for an easy long weekend at a Texas resort, a ski trip in Colorado, an eco-adventure in Costa Rica, or an all-inclusive in Jamaica. In this episode I’m walking through how these two programs work together and sharing honest real-world experience from stays I’ve actually done with my family.

Fair warning: this episode runs a little long because there’s a lot of ground to cover and a lot of cool places to talk about. Grab your coffee.

Also — Shoshana and I literally just got home from a return trip to Hyatt Regency Coconut Point. We went back because she asked. Nothing makes me happier than a guilt-free “sure.”

🎤 Listen to the Episode

You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube or other platforms.

⏱️ Timestamps

  • 00:00 — Welcome
  • 01:42 — Earning the Southwest Companion Pass and Saving More After You Book
  • 05:20 — Chase, Hyatt Points and Free Night Certificates
  • 07:36 — Understanding Hyatt’s New Award Chart
  • 09:12 — Easy Long Weekend Getaways
  • 18:31 — Family Adventure Trips
  • 28:19 — All-Inclusive Resorts
  • 32:27 — Wrap-Up

✈️ How the Southwest Companion Pass Works

The Companion Pass lets one designated person fly with you on every Southwest flight for close to free. You pay points or cash for your ticket; your companion pays just the taxes and fees — $5.60 each way for domestic flights, or up to $100–$150 for international. Still very reasonable when you consider the actual ticket is free.

In our house, both Ronnie and I each have our own Companion Pass. Normally Shoshana flies as my companion and Jacob flies as Ronnie’s — so for a family of four, both kids are flying essentially free on every Southwest trip we take. That level of savings has changed how often we’re able to say yes.

You can change your companion designation up to three times per calendar year. For a mother-son trip to Alaska this summer, I’m temporarily switching my companion so Jacob and I can fly together for practically nothing. Worth keeping in mind as your kids get older and their schedules don’t always line up.

You earn the pass by accumulating 135,000 qualifying Southwest points in a calendar year — credit card welcome bonuses count, and right now there’s an elevated offer here. Earn it now and it’s valid through December 31, 2027. And here’s something that confuses people: those 135,000 points are still yours. You don’t give them up to get the pass. You keep them and use them for your own tickets while your companion flies for taxes only.

Full guide at thefamilyvoyage.com/companion, or listen to Episode 17 for the deep dive.

Southwest isn’t always the cheapest option — even with the pass. It cuts your cost in half, but if another airline is significantly cheaper, you may still come out ahead booking elsewhere. Always comparison shop. I use AwardTool and PointsYeah to check award travel options (links below). If you’re paying cash and fares drop, you’ll get a credit or refund depending on your fare class — but some credits have short expirations, so read the fine print.

The pricing tip I love: Book as soon as the schedule opens (about six months out), then set a Google Flights alert. Because Southwest points prices are tied directly to cash prices, when fares drop you can go back, hit Change Flight, select the same flight at the lower price, and get the difference back in points immediately — even on Basic fares.

Share the love: Send friends your Southwest referral link. Every referral earns you 20,000 points, and those count toward renewing your own Companion Pass. I have a friend who referred her daughter’s entire competitive cheer team. They all saved so much money on travel to competitions, and she earned enough referral points to keep her own pass for an extra year. If your kid is in travel sports, think about who in that community could benefit.

🏨 World of Hyatt Points via Chase

Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. Every point you earn on a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Freedom Unlimited, or Ink for Business can become a Hyatt point. Bilt Rewards also transfers 1:1, and it’s a genuinely interesting program — but it’s niche and complicated enough that it deserves its own episode. Follow along and I’ll take you down that rabbit hole someday.

What makes Hyatt stand out: they still have a published award chart. Hilton and Marriott are fully dynamic — the cost can shift based on demand, day of the week, time of year. Hyatt added a five-tier pricing system within their eight categories this month, so there’s more variability than before, but the range for every property is still published. That transparency matters when you’re trying to plan.

Hyatt also waives resort fees on award bookings. That alone can save you $30–$50 per night compared to Marriott and IHG, which charge resort fees regardless of how you book.

Three ways to earn a free night certificate from the Chase World of Hyatt card:

The welcome offer isn’t that great, honestly — but the ongoing benefits are strong.

  1. Card anniversary — you get a Category 1–4 free night certificate every year just for keeping the card ($95 annual fee)
  2. $15,000 in card spend — hit this in a calendar year and you earn a second certificate
  3. 30 elite qualifying nights — earn this and you get a milestone certificate. Those 30 nights include actual hotel stays, plus 5 nights just for holding the credit card, plus 6 qualifying nights when you hit the $15,000 spending threshold. So hitting $15K spend gets you the second certificate and 6 nights toward your milestone — and with the 5 just for holding the card, you’re already at 11 before you’ve checked into a single hotel

None of the other hotel chains have milestone awards this valuable, or this accessible early in your loyalty journey. Between transferred Chase points and up to three free night certificates, you could build the core of a solid family vacation.

The silver lining of the new award chart: Most properties went up maybe 5,000–10,000 points per night, but they’re still a great value. If you find a Category 3 or 4 property on a busy weekend that used to cost 12,000–15,000 points, it might now price at 20,000–25,000. Your free night certificate covers it either way — which means the devaluation actually makes your certificates worth more in those situations. For comparison: top Hilton properties can run a quarter million points a night. Some IHG properties are north of 150,000. Hyatt’s chart tops out at 75,000 and remains the most generous program for points redemptions.

🏖️ Easy Long Weekend Getaways

Short Southwest hop, no passport, and several of these are certificate-eligible. These are the trips that almost feel too easy.

Florida

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs is where Shoshana and I just were — we got home last night, so this is as fresh as a review gets. This property is beautiful in that palm-trees-and-flowers-everywhere way, and there is water all around you. If your kids love to splash, they won’t be able to get enough. Waterslides, lazy river, multiple pools — and the property is just the right size, not so huge that it feels overwhelming.

What makes it really unique: it’s not on the beach, and that’s actually a good thing. The hotel runs a free boat transfer to their barrier island — white sugar sand, uncrowded, perfect for playing or shell hunting, and sometimes dolphins follow the boat over. The staff here is exceptional. On our first stay, we brought Grandma along because she needed some sunshine and a hot tub in the dead of winter, and a pool deck staff member tracked down a wheelchair and brought it over while we ate lunch to help her get to the boat dock faster. That kind of thing sticks with you. Category 6, so 20,000–40,000 points per night depending on demand, no resort fees. Southwest flies Fort Myers nonstop from 15 cities, with easy one-stop options from many more. Some families also use Coconut Point as a stop on a Florida West Coast road trip, with Tampa or Fort Lauderdale as their arrival airport.

For Disney families: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is right next door to the parks. Giant pool with grottoes and waterfalls, rock climbing wall, kayaking on the lake, hammocks over the beach. A great “off day from the parks” option. Category 5 after moving up this month. Full review linked below.

For a Miami base: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables is beautiful — Moorish architecture in the walkable Coral Gables neighborhood, and a launchpad for everything Miami has to offer. Little Havana food tours, Wynwood Walls, day trips to the Everglades, the beaches. We’ve done it all and love it. Unfortunately it also moved to Category 5 this month, so free night certificates no longer apply, but it’s a great points stay with plenty of availability at lower prices. Southwest serves both Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

Texas

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines near Austin gives you a light version of that family camp feel that places in New England charge thousands of dollars for — but you’re in the Hill Country outside Austin and Southwest will fly you there. Crooked River Water Park with a thousand-foot lazy river and sandy beach area, nature trails, horseback riding, stargazing, archery, kids club so you can sneak away for a massage, movies under the stars with free popcorn, live music on the most gorgeous only-in-Texas patio. Our family had such a good time that I sent my sister-in-law last year when she needed an easy spring break trip with two of her kids solo — she loved it so much she went back this year. Category 6, so 20,000–40,000 points per night. Full review linked below.

San Antonio has Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas, which just finished a $100 million renovation — new lagoon with white sand beach, FlowRider wave simulator, really fresh-feeling rooms. Still a Category 5, which is great value. Catch: Southwest doesn’t have many routes to San Antonio, which is why we haven’t made it there yet. But if you have a nonstop or you’re willing to make the 90-minute drive from Austin, it’s worth considering. And worth flagging: the entire week of Thanksgiving at Hill Country is just 15,000 points per night. If you want to skip the cooking and spend the holiday in a heated lazy river, I genuinely won’t judge you.

Quick tip: after comparing both Texas properties under the new award chart, the difference most dates is only 5,000 points — and occasionally they’re the same price. Lost Pines has more award dates available overall, so if you’re interested in one, check both.

Desert Southwest and New Mexico

Grand Hyatt Scottsdale just completed a $115 million renovation — ten pools, a massive water playground. We’re visiting in June with extended family and our plan is basically just to live by the pool. Best in fall or spring, but here we are. Category 6; most nights next spring run around 30,000 points, dropping after mid-April.

The hidden gem in this region: Hyatt Regency Tamaya in New Mexico, between Albuquerque and Santa Fe on the Santa Ana Pueblo. Category 4 — free night certificates work here, and plenty of nights are available at 12,000–15,000 points. 550 acres, three pools with a two-story waterslide, horseback riding on rescued horses, hot air ballooning, real cultural experiences tied to the Pueblo. Southwest flies Albuquerque 30 minutes away; Santa Fe is an easy day trip. A friend took her boys there a few years ago and raved about it. One of the most underrated points redemptions in the whole Hyatt portfolio.

California

Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego sits right on the bay with three pools, waterslides, and a full marina — jet skis, kayaks, and more. A few minutes from all of San Diego’s attractions (rent a car). This one is still Category 4 — free night certificates work here. And here’s a detail that makes it particularly good for families: Hyatt makes a lot of suites available on points, not just standard rooms. Nine thousand extra points moves you into a standard suite; 12,000 extra gets you into a premium suite — even on peak dates. Their marina suite sleeps six with two queen beds and a marina view balcony. I sent my brother-in-law and sister-in-law there with three young kids and they had a great time. Pro tip: if you’re going in October, San Diego runs a Kids Go Free promotion all month — kids get in free at almost all major attractions with a paid adult ticket. Fall break, anyone? Southwest has been growing San Diego service aggressively; there’s now a nonstop from Columbus four days a week.

The Seabird in Oceanside is a JdV by Hyatt boutique property right on the Oceanside pier in North County San Diego — Category 6, oceanfront, surf lessons, farm-to-table dining. More lifestyle resort than waterpark. A great base for a mix of beach time, plus day trips into San Diego or Orange County.

Chicago

For a big city experience: we’ve stayed at Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile, and it’s really nice. Hyatt has a whole cluster of properties around Chicago (it’s their home base), and about half a dozen are still certificate-eligible. Southwest runs a huge amount of service into Midway, which is genuinely convenient for getting downtown. Chicago with kids never runs out of things to do — museums, Shedd Aquarium, biking along Lake Michigan. We go at least once a year to visit family and always find something new.

🌿 Family Adventure Trips

Costa Rica — Andaz Papagayo

We’ve stayed here and reviewed it on the site. Pure relaxation with a dash of Costa Rican adventure, and it oozes warm Tico hospitality. My kids were crushed to leave after four nights and still ask to go back.

Our approach: first half of the trip doing activities — zip lining, wildlife tours, whatever’s on the list — second half decompressing at a nice hotel. Andaz Papagayo is built for the decompression half. Eco-resort luxury on a private peninsula, 30 minutes from Liberia Airport. Southwest flies Liberia from Baltimore, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, and Houston. When we went, flights ran about $100 per person — and most of that was Costa Rica arrival and departure taxes you’d pay no matter how you travel. Category 8, so no certificate, and most nights under the new chart are 55,000 points with some up to 75,000. Definitely a splurge on the hotel side, but Hyatt points plus Companion Pass covers your two biggest costs.

Skiing

This is where the Companion Pass is especially powerful — ski trip flights add up fast. I’m not a ski expert, so if you’re planning a ski trip, go listen to episode 11 with my friend Jessica of Skiing Kids. But here’s the Hyatt picture:

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek in Colorado is ski-in/ski-out, Category 8. Peak season runs at least 55,000 points per night — but if you’ve ever priced condo rentals in Beaver Creek during ski season, that won’t seem outrageous. Grand Hyatt Vail is also ski-in/ski-out at Category 7; spring break dates I’m seeing run 35,000–45,000 points. Important flag: points redemptions at ski destinations during peak season are often non-refundable. Check the terms before you book. Southwest flies Denver from a ton of cities — even New York. Note that they don’t fly into Eagle County airport, so you’ll need a rental car or shuttle. Epic Pass holders get a discount on the resort shuttle.

In Utah: Hyatt Centric Park City is ski-in/ski-out at Canyons Village, the largest ski resort in the country. Category 8 now; most ski season nights run around 55,000 points, with some up to 75,000. The new Grand Hyatt Deer Valley is in the 30,000–50,000 point range. And the budget-friendly option: Hyatt Place Park City is still Category 4 — free night certificates for a ski vacation. It has a ski rental shop and shuttle to the slopes. Not ski-in/ski-out, but families who’ve done it love the hot tub after a long day. Southwest is more likely to have nonstops into Denver than Salt Lake, but the drive to Park City from SLC is much shorter and easier than the mountain drive from Denver to Beaver Creek or Vail. Worth weighing.

Desert Adventure — Joshua Tree

Fly into Palm Springs on Southwest (served from about six cities, so likely a quick connection), stay at Grand Hyatt Indian Wells (Category 6, big pools, waterslides, lazy river), and drive 45 minutes to Joshua Tree National Park for bouldering, hiking, and some of the best stargazing in the country. Great for adventure kids and resort kids in the same trip. Best in fall or spring — summer desert heat is intense and can be unsafe for active hiking, and winter nights get much colder than you’d expect.

Anchorage

Southwest launched Anchorage service on May 15 — eleven days before this episode published. And Jacob and I already have a trip booked there this summer. Here’s how it actually happened: last month, Jacob saw me making Canva graphics for my Alaska articles and said he really wanted to get back to Alaska. We’ve done a big family trip there and I’ve been on my own more recently. Once I did the math with Southwest points, the Companion Pass, and Hyatt, it was an easy yes. That’s exactly what these two programs do — they make you willing to say yes to things you might have otherwise talked yourself out of.

There’s a great Hyatt in Anchorage worth knowing about: The Wildbirch Hotel, JdV by Hyatt, Category 4, certificate-eligible. A renovated boutique property right downtown, friends of mine stayed and loved it. Unfortunately since this trip came together last-minute, it’s sold out on points all summer. We’re staying at the Hyatt Place Anchorage Midtown instead — perfectly fine, I’ve stayed there before. There’s also a Hyatt House in Midtown at the same category, and apparently a Hyatt Regency is in the works near the Wildbirch. Award availability doesn’t always cooperate. But the destination is still Alaska. Jacob and I are still going fishing and taking a boat to glaciers and hiking up Flattop. The hotel is where you sleep.

Puerto Rico

Domestic — no passport needed. Hyatt has hotels in San Juan plus two beach properties: Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve on the east side of the island, and Hyatt Vacation Club at Hacienda Del Mar west of San Juan. I’ve been to Puerto Rico twice — once as a family when Jacob was a toddler, and more recently on a girls’ trip. The activities are great and the food scene is awesome. I haven’t stayed at the Hyatt properties yet but I definitely want to.

Hawaii

Southwest serves all four main islands with flights from 10 mainland airports to Honolulu, plus lots of inter-island routes. We’ve used our Companion Passes and Hyatt points for two separate Hawaii trips, visiting two islands each time — flights cost us points for the adults and $17 per kid per trip.

Oahu: All three Hyatt properties are in Waikiki. Hyatt Regency Waikiki is right on the beach in the heart of the action — Category 5, and even over spring break you can find rooms at 20,000 points per night. Full review linked below. The Hyatt Place Waikiki just a few blocks away is still Category 4 — that means free night certificates to take your family to Hawaii.

Maui: Three options — Andaz Maui at Wailea (my personal favorite, Category 8 now, most nights 55,000 points with some as low as 35,000 — availability on points is a bit spotty), Hyatt Regency Maui on Kaanapali (most nights just 30,000 points, bigger rooms, considered the most family-friendly option with waterslides and penguins, though the beach situation is not as nice as Wailea), and Hana Maui on the far east side of the island. For context on the Andaz value: Marriott’s Wailea Beach Resort next door regularly runs over 100,000 points per night, and both programs transfer 1:1 from Chase.

Kauai: Grand Hyatt Kauai might be the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever seen. It’s like Coconut Point but amplified a million times — so lush, palm trees and birds of paradise everywhere. Same pricing story as the Andaz: most nights 55,000 but some at 35,000–45,000. Check availability and take a look at the Kauai article on my site for photos.

🌴 All-Inclusive Resorts: What Families Need to Know First

Hyatt has been dominating the all-inclusive market in the Caribbean and Mexico, and Southwest keeps expanding service, so between the two you can get pretty far — with half-price flights. But there are some critical things to understand before you get too excited.

The chart: Hyatt all-inclusive properties use a completely separate award chart — Categories A through F, with five price tiers each. Free night certificates from the Chase World of Hyatt card cannot be used at all-inclusive properties at all. Depending on the property, you’re looking at roughly 30,000 points per night at some Dreams or Bahia properties, up to 65,000 at flagship Ziva locations over spring break.

The family math problem: When you use points at a Hyatt all-inclusive, those points only cover two guests per room — no exceptions, regardless of room or suite size. For a family of four, you either book two rooms on points (doubling your spend) or book one room on points and pay a cash supplement for additional guests. The option to add guests in points costs literally half the room rate per person — so with two kids, you might as well get the second room and have more space. But cash supplements at the top all-inclusives can run several hundred dollars per child per day.

I actually canceled a reservation at one of these properties because the supplement would have cost $1,500 out of pocket to add my kids for a long weekend — on top of the points cost. So run the full math before you get excited. You may have to email the property directly to find out the exact supplement, as it depends on the property and the child’s age. Get it in writing. I’ve heard of families being told one price on the phone and something completely different at check-in. And keep in mind that most all-inclusives cap at four guests per room, so families of five or more are looking at two rooms regardless.

That said: even with a supplement, you’re often still coming out ahead of paying cash for an all-inclusive of the same quality. Just go in with your eyes open.

We haven’t stayed at any of these — all-inclusives aren’t really our style — but I know plenty of families who have and love them.

The properties:

The Hyatt Ziva brand is the top-tier family-friendly all-inclusive. Hyatt Zilara is adults-only.

Jamaica: Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall just reopened in April 2026 after hurricane repairs. Southwest has strong Montego Bay service from Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Midway, and St. Louis.

Dominican Republic: Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana is in the exclusive Cap Cana area — the most expensive family-friendly all-inclusive Hyatt offers, whether cash or points. Southwest serves Punta Cana from seven cities.

Mexico: Hyatt Ziva Cancun was the flagship before Cap Cana. Note that Cancun airport is the gateway for the entire Riviera Maya and Tulum — flying Southwest into CUN opens up properties in Playa del Carmen, Playa Mujeres, and further south via ground transfer.

Dreams properties: Tons of them in the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Lower categories on the all-inclusive chart, more budget-friendly on points, still very family-oriented with good water parks. A step down in food quality from the Ziva properties, but family members who’ve stayed at two different Dreams locations give them positive marks. Worth checking if you want to stretch your points further and minimize the cash add-on for kids.

❓ Common Questions

Can I use a Chase free night certificate at a Hyatt Ziva or other all-inclusive? No. Free night certificates cannot be used at any Hyatt all-inclusive property. Points or cash only.

Do points cover my whole family at an all-inclusive? No — points only cover two guests per room. Additional guests require a cash supplement or a second room on points. Get the supplement amount in writing before you arrive.

Can I use a free night certificate at Hyatt Place Waikiki or Hyatt Place Park City? Yes — both are Category 4 and certificate-eligible. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in the program.

Can I really change my Companion Pass companion? Yes, up to three times per calendar year.

Does Hyatt waive resort fees on award stays? Yes — no resort fee on points bookings, unlike Marriott and IHG.

Is the new Hyatt award chart as bad as everyone feared? Not quite. Most properties went up 5,000–10,000 points per night and they’re still a great value compared to paying cash or redeeming with Hilton or Marriott. And if you have free night certificates, they’re actually worth more now because the points floor at Cat 3–4 properties has gone up.

📚 Resources

Southwest

Award Search Tools

Chase / Hyatt

Hotel Reviews on The Family Voyage

Free Resources