If you're a frequent Delta flyer, odds are you've got a co-branded Delta credit card in your wallet. While the *delta skymiles gold card* is the most popular choice, two cards with higher fees are worth considering for one big reason: An annual Delta companion certificate.
These certificates alone can be reason enough to keep a top Delta card in your wallet – even after annual fees on these cards went up earlier this year. Think of them as a buy-one, get-one benefit for flights each year: Use them wisely, and you can get plenty of value, often outweighing the annual fee.
But they've gotten harder to use over the last few years, running searches that turn up blank again and again. So while a BOGO flight once a year sounds nice, what good is this benefit if you can't even use it?
Trust me: It can be done – and we're here to help. Delta has made it a bit easier by introducing a price calendar feature when searching for flights using your Delta companion certificate. And now, these certificates are even more powerful, allowing you and a pal to fly not just within the mainland U.S. but out to Hawaii, down to Mexico, throughout the Caribbean, and beyond.
Read on for a full rundown and some hints to make sure you use them wisely.
How Delta Companion Certificates Work
If you can use them, these certificates are some of the best benefits of any Delta credit card.
Exactly what you can get depends on which card you've got. Let's go over some basics:
- The *delta skymiles platinum card*‘s annual companion certificate is good for one main cabin roundtrip fare
- The *delta reserve card*‘s annual companion ticket can also be used for Delta Comfort Plus, Delta Premium Select, and first class.
Keep in mind that you'll only get this perk after your first full year with either of these two Delta credit cards. That means you'll need to wait a year after opening one of these cards – then renew it again – to get a companion ticket.
But both of these companion certificates are far more powerful than they were just a year ago.
While adding a slew of new benefits and raising annual fees earlier this year, Delta expanded which destinations are eligible to use a companion certificate beyond just the continental U.S., to now include flights to Hawaii, Alaska, and even Central America and the Caribbean, too.
These expanded destinations are only available on certificates issued Feb. 1, 2024, and onwards. So if you've already got a certificate from the last year set to expire anytime before Feb. 1, 2025, you're stuck flying within the continental U.S. on this go around.
There are a few important restrictions you'll want to keep in mind:
- You have to actually take and return from the trip before your certificate's expiration date. And remember: These companion tickets are a use-it-or-lose-it benefit.
- You have to charge the first fare (and the taxes and fees of the second) to an American Express card. It doesn't necessarily need to be the Delta Platinum or Reserve SkyMiles card, but cards from other banks like Visa won't work.
- You must book roundtrip flights. Even a multi-city reservation – into one city and home from another – will not work, nor will open-jaw flights. You can, however, fly in and out of different airports within the same city using a companion pass – like flying into Newark (EWR) and home from New York City-LaGuardia (LGA).
And most importantly: Only a small subset of flights that Delta sells are actually eligible to use these certificates…
Only Select Fares Qualify
While it can still be an incredible benefit, there are some serious strings attached to these Delta companion tickets that can make
While you may only see first class, Comfort Plus, and economy seats when you walk on a Delta plane, airlines sell an alphabet's worth of different ticket types called fare classes – each with its own rules, restrictions, and price. And only a handful of the two-dozen-plus fares are eligible to use these companion certificates:
- With the Delta Platinum Card, you can only book fare classes L, U, T, X, and V in the main cabin.
- On the Delta Reserve Card, you can book all those fares plus fare classes I, Z, and W – first class and Comfort Plus tickets. For certificates issued Feb. 1, 2024 and onward, Premium Select fare classes A and G are also eligible.
Depending on where you live and when you're flying, these restrictions can make it more difficult to get a lot out of the companion pass. Delta basic economy fares are off-limits, and many of the fares that do qualify are often some of Delta's cheaper tickets.
Once you find a fare class that works, you should know that the paid fare will earn SkyMiles and Delta Medallion Status credits, but the free fare will not. If you've got Delta status, you will still be eligible for complimentary upgrades.
Can You Use a Companion Ticket When Booking with SkyMiles?
No. Sadly.
Delta does not allow travelers to use SkyMiles to book the first ticket when applying a Delta companion certificate. It has to be a normal paid fare – not an award ticket.
But Can You Use Delta eCredits?
Yes! In the last few years, Delta added the ability to apply Delta eCredits to the paid ticket even when redeeming a companion fare.
To do so, just select your companion certificate as normal, then begin your search and select your flights. Once you make it to the checkout screen, select “Use eCredits” and Delta will allow you to pull in credits to offset the cost of your paid fare.
Delta allows you to apply up to four eCredits online during these transactions, though you might be able to use even more at once by calling Delta to book your tickets instead. You can even apply your companion's eCredits to cover the taxes and fees for that ticket.
Can Someone Else Use My Certificate?
Yes … usually.
While a cardholder may always prefer to use the perk that they're paying for, that's not always possible. Fortunately, there's no requirement on these certificates that the cardholder booking the flights is one of the people actually taking the trip.
For instance, a Delta Platinum cardholder could book a flight for their spouse and child using the companion certificate for one of the fares.
What if I Need to Cancel?
If a wholly unused primary ticket or the companion ticket are canceled, your companion certificate should be automatically reissued – with its original expiration date.
Tips to Use & Maximize Your Companion Fare
In theory, these certificates are worth their weight in gold. But in practice, redeeming these certificates can feel like a chore.
We've heard from countless frustrated travelers who have tried to find flights to use this perk only to come up empty-handed time and time again. Follow our tips and make it happen.
Select ‘My Dates are Flexible' When Searching on Delta
Delta now offers a price calendar function when you're searching for flights using a companion ticket, allowing travelers to pull up to a month's worth of flights in one quick glance. That change can help you zero in on flights that are eligible for this perk, especially when shifting by just a day or two from an initial search.
Just start the search process by going into your Delta profile and selecting the companion certificate you want to use. As you enter your travel dates, be sure to select the “My dates are flexible” box when starting your search with your Delta companion certificate.
Previously, if you chose dates that weren't eligible to use a Delta companion certificate, your search would show up blank. Here's what you get now instead.
With this calendar view, you can now see that returning just a day or two earlier makes these certificates available to use. Better yet, it also highlights the cheapest fares available over that initial one-week span. You can take things even further by selecting “Price Calendar” after you search, pulling up a full month's worth of flights for whatever trip length you set.
A Next-Level Tip to Find the Right Fares
There's also a next-level tool that can easily help you zero in on flights that work: It's called ITA Matrix.
Think of it like Google Flights on steroids … and then some. While it's a fairly advanced platform, it has a ton of powerful features that you won't find on Google Flights or other sites. Most importantly, it allows you to search for specific fare classes … including the specific ones you need in order to redeem your certificate.
Let's say I'm trying to use my companion certificate for a few nights in New York City, but all my searches through Delta are coming up blank. Using some of ITA Matrix's advanced controls, I can tell it to show me exactly when the eligible flights are available.
First, head to ITA Matrix and plug in the basics of your trip. It helps immensely if you're flexible, so I'd recommend selecting “See calendar of lowest fares” rather than inputting exact dates.
Now it's time to tell ITA Matrix we only want to see flights that can be booked using your BOGO ticket. ITA Matrix allows you to search only for specific fare classes. Just click “Advanced controls,” and then copy and paste the following bits of code in the outbound and return extension code fields.
- Platinum cardholders booking economy fares, enter f bc=L|bc=U|bc=T|bc=X|bc=V
- Got the Reserve Card and want to make sure you're flying first or Delta Comfort Plus? Enter f bc=I|bc=Z|bc=W
In this case, I'm searching only for the main cabin economy fares that can be booked with a Platinum Card companion certificate by telling ITA Matrix to only show fares with the booking codes L, U, T, X, or V.
It may take up to a minute or so, but eventually, ITA Matrix will pull up a calendar with results. Click airlines and narrow down your results to only show Delta flights.
At $400 or even north of $500 per person, Delta flights aren't cheap over this span. But getting two tickets for the price of one takes the sting out of those fares.
So from there, I head over to my Delta account, select my companion certificate, enter those dates, and hit search. Sure enough, it did the trick!
While you'll still need to be flexible, there's perhaps no better way to cut through the painstaking trial-and-error process of trying to find flights to use your Delta companion ticket than this.
Be Flexible & Plan Ahead
The closer you get to departure, the harder it's going to get to find flights that qualify for these companion certificates. If you're searching for a flight just a month or less in advance, your odds of finding something that will work are fairly slim.
We can't tell you exactly how far in advance you need to search, but you'll definitely have better odds by searching at least three to nine months out. In our experience, that's the sweet spot.
Pair it with an International Fare Deal
Consider using your Delta companion ticket to lower the costs of an international getaway.
Last year, we sent our Thrifty Traveler Premium members a jaw-dropping deal on flights to Tahiti (PPT): Just $498 roundtrip! That's a fantastic deal, less than half the normal price of flights to paradise.
But those cheap nonstop fares were only available from Los Angeles (LAX). If that's not your home airport, the cost of getting yourself and your travel buddy there to make the trek to Tahiti could make the deal look less attractive. Enter the Delta companion certificate.
Using your Delta companion ticket to book positioning flights is a smart move. It means you can book that cheap international ticket from a different city, then use your companion certificate to fly from your hometown to catch that international flight for less.
How to Redeem Your BOGO Delta Ticket
Once you've earned a companion certificate, you'll get an email from American Express informing you that the certificate is now available. Log in at Delta.com, and you'll find it's been automatically placed in your Delta profile wallet under “Certificates, eCredits & Vouchers.”
Clicking on the certificate in your profile will allow you to begin the booking and redemption process. Unlike the Southwest Companion Pass, there is no need to designate your travel companion ahead of time: You can bring anyone with you.
Once you've found it, follow the tips above to find an eligible flight, make sure your companion certificate applies, and voila – a nearly free plane ticket! You'll pay just the government-imposed taxes and fees in addition to the price of the first fare. The final amount will vary based on your destination.
Bottom Line
Delta companion certificates are some of the best benefits on the card_name and the card_name.
Understanding the ins and outs of these companion tickets is critical to coming out ahead. But by booking at least three months in advance, being flexible with your travel dates, and using the right tools to find eligible flights, you can do it.
And as these two-for-one tickets get even more valuable, it's time to learn how to put them to use.
It pays to keep checking for availability! I booked our anniversary vacation to Hawaii on Skymiles, as Lihue was not showing as a route with Companion Certificate availability. I kept checking diligently for months, and this week – there was availability! I canceled our Skymiles tickets (as I feel we weren’t getting the best point redemption anyways) and booked with the Companion Certificate. We also paired this with the current AMEX offer of $100 off of a $500 Delta purchase. When it is all said and done – we are headed to Hawaii in February for $325 per person roundtrip!
I have the reserve card and booked my flight (RT). The return flight doesn’t work (due to date etc and my companion ticket expiring 2 days before I’d want to depart). So I booked another one way. My question is, if I take the first leg and then cancel the return flight on the companion ticket, will delta refund me the fare of that return flight??
I have had good luck using these certs. book 10 months in advance and fly wed or thurs S Dak to Fla (rsw or tpa) Feb or Oct.
Thanks for the thorough explanation. Got my first certificate from my Delta Platinum, and very easily/quickly found qualifying tickets from MCO to near-Toronto area (BUF/ROC/DTW) using both methods for Fall 2024 (8 months out), along with an expiring eCredit. A majority of people claiming it doesn’t work are frustrated trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. This benefit is great, and easy to use.
I don’t work for Amex or Delta…and have never been a Medallion. Just read the article.
The companion fare is not worth the hassle. I got the Reserve AmX, so the $550 annual fee is steep, but I could use it to get two seats for myself on the flight. I wanted to go to Mexico, so I had to use the companion certificate from LAX to MIA, then had to purchase a round trip from American from MIA to CZM. Got the certificate in March 2023, tried booking right away, and was lucky to get flights for October 2023. When the card comes up for renewal, I’m dumping it.
Another difficulty with using Delta companion tickets is the one year time limit. Unless you book and travel immediately upon receiving the voucher, you don’t have a full year to use it. For super travelers this might work, but not for the casual traveler. You can’t book until you have the voucher, and the clock starts ticking when the voucher hits your account. So if booking three to six months out is smart (per the article), then really you only have half a year to use the ticket. Really it’s even less, as the flight has to finish before the year is up, necessitating a return trip before the year expires.
If canceling a booked Companion Ticket, Delta provides NO credit for it — it is lost for good. The taxes/fees paid can get returned as e-credit though.
I’ve had one companion need to bail on a trip (I went ahead and traveled) because of seriously hospitalized parent. And, I had to cancel another trip due to Covid illness (I’m guessing that companion couldn’t have traveled on alone). In both cases, Delta would NOT reinstate the Companion Certificate… arrrgh.
This is so very valuable. Thank you!
We tried several times to use the companion certificates in our account and could not find flights where they would work, even if we tried different airports, etc. I’m sorry, but no matter how hard you try to put a positive spin on this, I feel like I’ve been tricked when I have to read fine print, download a special app, and jump through a number of hoops to use something that was advertised to me as a wonderful benefit. We have been good customers and the situation with the companion tickets is so upsetting that we are rethinking our brand loyalty.
Can I use my companion ticket to Puerto Rico? The exception says you cannot use to Alaska and Hawaii. Puerto Rico is part of the United States.
It can only be used in the contiguous 48 states.
The tool produced a result for a Platinum Card (Round trip DTW to SJC, Sept 8-17) but does not work at
Delta.com. This flight just recently came off the list of qualified / available flights on Delta.com.
Similar problem here – used the ITA tool to input code as advised, got some flight options for using companion certif but they still showed up as Sold Out on Delta.com
Not sure of the Blackout dates, But 1st rule of Credit Cards. You should NEVER cancel any credit card. If the fee is too much for any card call the Credit Card company, like in your case, and see if you can reduce it to a Green card which is more fee friendly. Master or Visacards will work similarly and most often easier and you don’t have to wait until renewal time as you will get a prorated credit back from Card issuer. Once you cancel an Amex card, I beleive, you will be bared for life from getting another Amex card, or at least any bonus offers. Also, for other cards keep in mind the 5/24 rule. Your credit score could also be affected by canceling any credit card.
when booking a companion ticket with a Platinum Card can I choose my seats?
Yes. The only fare class that doesn’t allow this is basic economy, and those tickets are not eligible for purchase with the companion tickets.
I had the very frustrating pleasure of trying to book my companion ticket in April 2022 for a July trip to Los Angeles from JFK. I have 2 companion tickets expiring 1/31/2023, I chatted w Delta if there was an easier way to book because despite having open seats on the flights I was interested I could not book the companion tickets. This was the case for any airports on the west coast including Washington & Oregon. I was told to register a complaint w Delta, I did still have not heard back. Since I was newly retired I searched each day for the months of June, July & August, finally, I hit on 8/23-8/30. It took days. Unbelievable, I thought I would not be able to have a summer vacation this year despite being newly retired! I got smart and booked the remaining companion ticket right away for January 2023. This tip will save me an enormous amount of time. Thank-you so glad I don’t have to waste my “golden” years trying to use my companion ticket.
Can I use the companion ticket for Main Class and then pay for the upgrades to first class?
I’d like to know the answer to this also, does anyone know?
yes, I did it
Does Delta ever add more flights? Unfortunately my dates are fixed, all companion pass flights are currently showing as sold out, just wondering if it’s worth it for me to keep checking periodically.
It’s certainly possible.
Can I use my points to book a flight for myself and use the companion ticket for my daughter on the same flight? Or does the primary ticket have to be a purchased with cash to be able to use the companion ticket?
No. I called Delta to ask this question the other day. If you are using the companion ticket you must pay for the main ticket (your ticket) with either your card or ecredits (gift card).
Honesty the companion ticket is worthless. You can almost never take a flight where you want to go or when you want to go. Im going to downgrade my card and just apply the money I save on a flight I want. Delta customer server has become a joke as well. As a gold soon to be platinum medallion member, calling them for any kind of support has become laughable at best. Delta needs to come up with a solution soon.
How do I book a companion ticket in first class? It only is allowing me to choose coach?
Do you have the Delta Reserve Card? You can only book a first-class companion ticket if you have the Reserve. The Platinum card is for economy fares only.
I’m having the same problem . Can’t use these tickets anymore . Never any flights and sold out. I’m going to down grade my card.
This is my first time using a companion certificate and I have tried a lot of variations of trips to both Phoenix in February 2022 and Newark in August 2022 and everything is saying sold out. I only upgraded because of the companion certificate, but I’m now concerned that I won’t be able to find a flight that will even work in 2022. Any suggestions?
Word of caution the Blackout dates for using these vouchers are extensive now. We have tried three times this year to use our vouchers for flights in 2021 and 2022 and all dates have been blacked out by Delta and Amex including a late February 2022 flight that we recently booked and were told that it was blacked out because of Valentines Day. However the trip does not fall within that date! Anyone know what the blackout dates are for 2022 as we would like to try using one of our 3 vouchers in 2022 before we cancel the Amex card as the $250 annual fee is just not worth it any longer!
If you pay for a companion ticket (and you have a Delta Reserve card), but you pay with it with an Amex Platinum, will you be eligible for upgrades? Or do you have to pay for it with the Reserve card?
It shouldn’t matter what card you pay with in this instance. But keep in mind, if you don’t have Delta status, your chances of getting an upgrade are slim. More info here
https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/airlines/delta-medallion-upgrade-order-determined/
Hello, what if the person is leaving from a different destination?
You must be on the same flight.
You say “You have to charge the first fare (and the taxes and fees of the second) to either your Platinum or Reserve SkyMiles card.” This is not true. You only need to use an Amex card. I paid the first fare on a Delta Platinum card companion certificate after cancelling the card using a Blue Cash Preferred. Also, I paid the first fare on a Delta Reserve card companion pass after cancelling the card using an Amex Delta Blue card.
Hi Harv. Thank you for pointing that out. It does appear any Amex card will work (not just Delta cards). I have updated our story to reflect this.
When you use a companion ticket you have to book the flights on a specific Delta page. When comparing the cost of a flight on the the specific Delta as opposed to booking a flight on the general booking page, I found that each ticket cost $200 more for the same flight that I was booking between Salt Lake City and Detroit. There is probably something in the small print of the card holder’s agreement that addresses this, but the “free” companion ticket isn’t totally covered by the cards annual fee.
I hate that it has a maximum stay of only 30 days. Had anyone been able to get around this restriction? We are staying in Florida for 7 weeks and would love to use it!
How can my niece use my companion ticket if I’m not also flying.
She would use it and book her fiancé’s same flight full price on Delta.
??
You can just book the tickets for both of them in their names using the companion certificate!
You would use the certificate to get to a larger airport that has regular good deals out of the country. Example: use to fly to JFK and hop another flight to Ireland. Or use to get LAX and find deals to Singapore as they specified.
Hello,
The certificate only works for travel within the contiguous 48 states.
Tried 6 different 2019 round trip from BZN to ORD. Nothing-nada-no flights.
Hi Mary,
You’re only eligible for this bonus if you’ve just signed up for the card. If you already hold the card and continue to spend on it, you’ll just earn 1-2 SkyMiles per dollar.
Very clear explanation
And yet, I can’t make that site work for me at all.