If you ever travel with others, companion tickets offer the possibility of saving a lot of money or points for the second passenger. This guide describes each companion ticket option available.
Aer Lingus Commercial Companion Ticket
Pros: Big savings possible | Cons: Limited to flights between US & Ireland on Aer Lingus; Economy only
How to get it: Spend $30K per calendar year on the Aer Lingus credit card. Companion ticket is issued 4 to 6 weeks after meeting the spend requirement.
Flight requirement: Purchase a paid economy round trip flight between the US and Ireland. Only flights operated by Aer Lingus qualify.
Companion benefit: One companion flies for free, with no taxes or fees.
How to book: Email Aer Lingus directly at chasecompanionticket@aerlingus.com to book using the companion voucher
Eligible credit card:
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: Good choice for a nice intro bonus. Unless you intend to go for the big spend bonus, though, I don't see it as a compelling card to keep past the first year. $95 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X British Airways. Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL ✦ 2X hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel ✦ 1X elsewhere Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your Aer Lingus Visa card, you’ll earn an economy class companion ticket good for 1 year. Noteworthy perks: Priority Boarding on Aer Lingus flights departing from and returning to the US from Ireland ✦ No foreign transaction fees. |
American Airlines Companion Certificate
Pros: Decent savings possible | Cons: Contiguous 48 states only; Economy only
How to get it: Spend $20K or $30K on select AAdvantage credit cards within your cardmember year to get at most one companion certificate per year. Details vary by card:
- AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite MasterCard: Spend $20K to earn one companion certificate for a single companion for $99+tax each membership year. Your card must be open for 45 days after the anniversary date to receive the certificate.
- AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite MasterCard: Spend $20K to earn one companion certificate for up to 2 companions for $99 + tax each membership year. Your card must be open for 45 days after the anniversary date to receive the certificate.
- AAdvantage Aviator Business MasterCard: Spend $30K to earn one companion certificate for a single companion each membership year. Your card must be open for 45 days after the anniversary date to receive the certificate.
- CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select World MasterCard: Spend $30K to earn one companion certificate for a single companion each membership year. Your card must be open for one billing cycle after the annual fee is billed to receive the certificate.
Flight requirement: Purchase qualifying domestic round-trip economy fare ticket. Must be within the 48 contiguous United States. For residents of Alaska and Hawaii, the companion certificate is valid for round-trip travel originating in either of those two states and continuing to the 48 contiguous United States.
Companion benefit: One companion (or up to two companions with the Aviator Silver card) pay $99 companion ticket fee plus $21.60 to $43.20 in government taxes and fees.
How to book: Booking details are found on the certificate.
Eligible credit cards:
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
$99 Annual Fee Earning rate: 2X AA ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn $99 + tax domestic companion certificate with $20K membership year spend. Noteworthy perks: First checked bag free ✦ Preferred boarding for the primary cardmember and up to 4 companions traveling on the same reservation ✦ 25% off in-flight purchases ✦ $25 wifi credit per membership year ✦ Flight cents: round up purchases to earn more miles |
FM Mini Review: $25 per day of in-flight food & beverage credits is pretty interesting. If you fly AA enough to make good use of this, this card is well worthwhile. $195 Annual Fee Earning rate: ✦ 3X AA ✦ 2X hotel and car rentals ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn $99 + tax domestic companion certificate for up to 2 companions with $20K membership year spend. ✦ Earn up to 15,000 bonus Loyalty Points per status qualification period: Earn 5K bonus points at $20K spend, $40K spend, and $50K spend Noteworthy perks: $25 per day in-flight food & beverage credit ✦ First checked bag free ✦ Priority Boarding ✦ $120 Global Entry application fee credit ✦ 25% off in-flight purchases ✦ $50 wifi credit per membership year ✦ Round up purchases to earn more miles |
FM Mini Review: This card usually has a great welcome bonus, but if you're looking for a card to keep long term, you'll find better options. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 Earning rate: ✦ 2X AA ✦ 2X certain telecommunications merchants ✦ 2X car rental merchants ✦ 2X gas Card Info: Mastercard World issued by Citi. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn $99 plus taxes domestic companion certificate after $30K spend Noteworthy perks: ✦ First checked bag free ✦ Priority Boarding ✦ Save 25% on inflight purchases |
Alaska Airlines Companion Fare
Pros: Valid for any published coach fare; Upgradeable | Cons: Economy only
How to get it: Alaska Airlines credit card holders get one discount code each year. Most legacy cards get a free code after their anniversary date. For cards approved after January 18, 2023, $6,000/year spend is required to receive a companion fare code at the anniversary date. Qualifying cards: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature consumer card (US), the Visa Business card (US), as well as the World Elite and Platinum Plus MasterCard (Canada).
Flight requirement: Valid for one-way or round-trip paid, published coach airfare on Alaska Airlines.
Companion benefit: Pay “from $121” ($99 base fare plus applicable taxes and fees from $22 depending on your Alaska Airlines flight itinerary).
Share benefit with others? Yes, cardholder must purchase tickets, but can buy both primary and companion tickets for others.
How to book: From the Alaska website: “You can redeem your discount code by selecting the Shop button within the My discount codes section of your My account profile. This will automatically apply your discount code to the new reservation. The discount will be reflected on the “Available flights” and “Cart” pages.”
Payment: Payment needs to be made with an Alaska Airlines credit card in the name of the discount code holder. From the Alaska website: “Traveler and/or purchaser name must match the name issued on the discount code. Primary fare and Companion Fare must be purchased with your Alaska Airlines credit card.” Alaska’s My Wallet funds (such as from a gift card or cancelled flight) can be used towards companion fare purchases.
Who can use it: Anyone. If the member who owns the companion fare is not traveling, the member’s name must match the name on the credit card used to purchase the reservation.
More details: Please see: Alaska Airlines Companion Fare Complete Guide.
Eligible credit cards:
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: Alaska miles are quite valuable so this offer is better than it appears $95 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Alaska Airlines ✦ 2x gas, EV charging, shipping and local transit ✦ 1X elsewhere Card Info: Visa issued by BOA. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $121 companion pass every year after $6K spend. Noteworthy perks: ✦ Free first checked bag for you and up to six other passengers on your reservation ✦ 10% bonus on earned miles with eligible BOA business account ✦ During 2024, earn 4K EQMs/$10K spend, up to a maximum of 20K EQMs. |
FM Mini Review: Alaska miles are quite valuable so this offer is better than it appears $95 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Alaska Airlines ✦ 2x gas, EV charging, local transit, rideshare, cable, and select streaming services purchases ✦ 1X elsewhere Card Info: Visa Signature issued by BOA. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $121 companion pass every year after $6K spend. Noteworthy perks: ✦ Free first checked bag for you and up to six other passengers on your reservation ✦ Priority Boarding ✦ 10% bonus on earned miles with eligible BOA account ✦ During 2024, earn 4K EQMs/$10K spend, up to a maximum of 20K EQMs. |
British Airways Travel Together Ticket
Pros: Can be used on BA, Aer Lingus or Iberia; can be used solo for a 50% discount | Cons: Potentially huge fuel surcharges
How to get it: Spend $30,000 each calendar year on your British Airways Visa Signature Credit Card and receive a Travel Together Ticket.
Flight requirement: Book a reward flight on any British Airways, Aer Lingus or Iberia flight. It can be used for a 50% Avios discount on one or two seats.
Companion benefit: It can be used for a 50% Avios discount on one or two seats. Taxes and fees, however, are not discounted. From British Airways: “Taxes, airline, government, or other separately charged fees and charges (“Taxes Fees and Charges”) must be paid by Member redeeming the Chase Travel Together Ticket and is payable at time of booking.”
How to book: Log into your BA.com account to redeem your Travel Together Ticket.
Eligible credit card:
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: Good choice for a nice intro bonus. Award rebate makes the card a keeper if you frequently book awards from the US to Europe. $95 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X British Airways. Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL ✦ 2X hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel ✦ 1X elsewhere Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you’ll earn a Travel Together companion Ticket good for two years. Noteworthy perks: Up to $600 per year in award fee rebates ✦ 10% off BA flights originating in the US. ✦ No foreign transaction fees |
Cathay Pacific Companion Ticket Awards
Pros: More award availability; Works with discount fares | Cons: Economy fares are not eligible
How to get it: Purchase first ticket with cash and second ticket with miles (Cathay Pacific Asia Miles). Must be a roundtrip flight.
Flight requirement: Purchase a First or Business Class ticket on Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon or British Airways. Companion Ticket Awards are available for mixed-carrier bookings for the sectors booked on flights marketed and operated by Cathey Pacific. Mixed class flight Awards are not allowed.
Companion benefit: Number of miles required for companion ticket is lower than the number required for a full award ticket (click here to view the award chart). More availability than standard awards. Point discounts compared to full award tickets range from 25% to 38.9% fewer points, but most are around 35% off. Companion must pay taxes and fuel surcharges.
How to book: The primary ticket can be booked however you want, but then you must call Cathay Pacific Asia Miles to redeem points for the companion ticket. It is safer to call to purchase both at once to ensure availability.
More info: Business class for two: Cathay Pacific Companion Ticket Awards
Cathay Pacific credit card (not required for booking companion ticket awards):
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
$95 Annual Fee Earning rate: ✦ 2X Cathay Pacific ✦ 1.5X dining ✦ 1.5X purchases outside of the US ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Synchrony. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: Complimentary green tier membership in the Marco Polo Club for first year of card membership |
Delta Companion Ticket
Pros: Large savings possible; Tickets upgrade eligible; Eligible for flights to fly to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America | Cons: Discount fares only; Round-Trip only; Companion does not earn miles.
How to get it: Both the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card and the Delta Reserve Credit Card offer a free companion certificate each year upon renewal. Note that you do not get the companion certificate until after your first year of card membership.
Flight requirement: Companion Tickets are only valid for economy discount fare classes as follows:
- Main Cabin: L, U, T, X, V
- Comfort+ (Delta Reserve Only): W, S
(but only when L, U, T, X, or V class of service is available in the Main Cabin) - Premium Select (Delta Reserve Only): A, G
- First Class (Delta Reserve Only): I, Z
- Delta One: Not Eligible
Companion benefit: Pay only taxes and fees (capped at $80 for domestic flights or $250 for international flights).
Share benefit with others? Yes, cardholder must purchase tickets, but can buy both primary and companion tickets for others.
How to book: Log into your account and navigate to your Wallet. In your Wallet you’ll find your companion tickets. You can then check the box to redeem the ticket. That will lead you to a flight search screen where you can find flights and book as needed.
More info: Delta companion certificates guide
Eligible credit cards:
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: Good choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of annual companion certificate $350 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ✦ 2X restaurants ✦ 2X US Supermarkets Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $20 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ US, Caribbean, or Central American economy companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) each year upon card renewal ✦ Earn up to $150 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants [enrollment required] ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights ✦ Complimentary Upgrade list: get added to the complimentary upgrade list after Delta elite members and Reserve cardmembers ✦ Cell phone protection ✦ Terms and Limitations Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
FM Mini Review: Good choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of annual companion certificate $350 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ✦ 1.5X on transit, eligible U.S. shipping, and purchases of $5K or more (up to $100K per year) Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $20 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American economy companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) each year upon card renewal ✦ Earn up to $200 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights ✦ Complimentary Upgrade list: get added to the complimentary upgrade list after Delta elite members and Reserve cardmembers✦ Terms and Limitations Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
FM Mini Review: Excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of SkyClub access and companion certificate. Also a good choice for big spenders seeking Delta elite status. $650 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Delta Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $10 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ US, Caribbean, Mexico or Central America roundtrip main cabin companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) after card renewal ✦ SkyClub access (starting 2/1/25, 15 visits per year (after 15 visits have been used, additional visits can be purchased for $50 each) or to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on 2/1/25, spend $75K or more on eligible purchases between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. ✦ 4 Delta SkyClub one-time guest passes ✦ Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta ✦ Earn up to $200 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants [enrollment required] ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Complimentary upgrades ✦ One statement credit every 4 years for the $120 Global Entry application fee or one statement credit every 4.5 years for the $85 TSA Precheck application fee ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights. ✦ Hertz President's Circle Status ✦ Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) See also: Delta Reserve complete guide |
FM Mini Review: Excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of SkyClub access and companion certificate. Also a good choice for big spenders seeking Delta elite status. $650 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 1.5X on eligible transit, U.S. shipping & office supply store purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $10 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American economy or first class companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) after card renewal ✦ SkyClub access (starting 2/1/25, 15 visits per year (after 15 visits have been used, additional visits can be purchased for $50 each) or earn unlimited visits after spending $75K/calendar year on the card ✦ 4 Delta SkyClub one-time guest passes ✦ Centurion Lounge access when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve card ✦ Earn up to $250 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Complimentary upgrades ✦ $120 Global Entry fee credit every 4 years (or 4.5 years for TSA Precheck) ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights. ✦ Hertz President's Circle Status ✦ Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) See also: Delta Reserve complete guide |
Hawaiian Airlines Companion Discount
Pros: ? | Cons: Full fare economy only
How to get it: Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard and Hawaiian Airlines Business MasterCard cardholders get a one-time 50% off companion ticket. Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard cardholders additionally get a $100 off companion ticket each account anniversary.
Flight requirement: Purchase published round-trip full fare coach. Tickets must be purchased with your Hawaiian Airlines credit card.
Companion benefit:
- Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard – New member discount: One-time 50%-off companion discount for roundtrip coach travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard – Annual discount: $100 companion discount for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard – One-time 50%-off companion discount for roundtrip coach travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines
How to book: Log in to your Hawaiian Airlines account to look for your MasterCard companion discount then click Book Now to redeem:
Eligible credit cards:
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
$99 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Hawaiian Airlines ✦ 2x gas, dining, and office supply stores ✦ 1x everywhere else Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn up to 40,000 annual bonus miles — 20k miles with $50-$99k annual spend or 40k miles with $100k or more annual spend; Noteworthy perks: One-time 50% off a companion discount on roundtrip coach travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines |
$99 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Hawaiian Airlines ✦ 2x gas, dining, and grocery stores ✦ 1x everywhere else Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: Two free checked bags when flight is booked through Hawaiian Airlines ✦ One time 50% off companion ticket ✦ $100 off a companion ticket for roundtrip coach travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines at each account anniversary |
Iberia $1,000 Discount Voucher
Pros: Save up to $1,000; Valid on any class of service | Cons: Only Iberia operated flights
How to get it: Spend $30K per calendar year on the Chase Iberia credit card. Discount voucher is issued 4 to 6 weeks after meeting the spend requirement.
Flight requirement: Purchase a paid round-trip flight for two. Only flights operated by Iberia qualify.
Companion benefit: $1,000 discount
How to book: Online at iberia.com/Chase10. The discount voucher will be in the form of a code that can be applied by a Cardmember for a discount of $1,000 when purchasing two tickets, for the same flights in the same class of travel.
Eligible credit card:
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: Good choice for a nice intro bonus. Unless you fly Iberia often or intend to go for the big spend bonus, though, I don't see it as a compelling card to keep past the first year. $95 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X British Airways. Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL ✦ 2X hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel ✦ 1X elsewhere Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your Iberia Visa card, you’ll earn a discount voucher good for $1,000 to use toward two tickets on the same flight Noteworthy perks: 10% off on Iberia flights when you use your Iberia Visa to purchase at iberia.com/Chase10 ✦ No foreign transaction fees |
Lufthansa Companion Ticket
Pros: ? | Cons: Discount fares not eligible; Economy only
How to get it: World Elite Miles & More Mastercard cardholders get one economy companion ticket each year of card ownership.
Flight requirement: Must purchase select published fares for travel departing from the U.S. to Europe/Middle East/Africa and Far East. Economy only. No premium economy for you. Allowed fare classes: H, M, Y, & B. Lufthansa operated flights only.
Companion benefit: Free after taxes & fees. May incur weekend surcharge: “various based on the paid Economy Class fare (generally $60 round-trip but in some instances it may not apply or the amount may be lower).”
How to book: Call a Lufthansa service center
Eligible credit card:
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
$89 Annual Fee Earning rate: 2X Miles & More Card Info: Mastercard World issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: Cardmembers receive a companion ticket and two complimentary Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers after first purchase and each year after paying the annual fee |
Southwest Companion Pass
Pros: Unlimited use while active, Works with paid and award flights, Valid for international flights | Cons: ?
Complete Guide to the Southwest Companion Pass
How to get it: Earn 135,000 companion pass eligible points within a calendar year to get a companion pass that is valid for an unlimited number of flights for the rest of the current year and all of the next. Credit card holders get a boost of 10,000 Companion Pass-Qualifying points, which means that those with a Southwest Credit Card will effectively need to earn an additional 125,000 qualifying total points in a calendar year to qualify
Flight requirement: All Southwest Airlines flights are eligible regardless of fare class and regardless of whether the primary passenger pays with points or cash.
Companion benefit: Companion flies free, but must pay taxes and fees.
More info: Southwest Companion Pass Complete Guide
How to book: Book primary passenger first with cash or points. Log into primary passenger’s account to add companion to flight.
Southwest credit cards (these are helpful, but not required to earn a companion pass):
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: This card can be great for its new cardmember bonus, but its ongoing perks are worth the annual fee only if fully used each year. $69 Annual Fee Earning rate: 2X local transit and commuting, including rideshare ✦ 2X internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming ✦ 2X Southwest Card Info: Visa Signature or Platinum issued by Chase. This card imposes foreign transaction fees. Big spend bonus: If you earn 135,000 points in one calendar year, you'll get a companion pass good for the rest of that calendar year and all of the next year. Noteworthy perks: 3000 bonus points each year upon card renewal. 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins each year. 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year |
FM Mini Review: The combination of 6,000 points plus 2 EarlyBird Checkins each year make this card a keeper for those who fly Southwest often. $99 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Southwest ✦ 2X Rapid Rewards(R) hotel and car partners ✦ 2X local transit and rideshare ✦ 2X internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming ✦ 1X on all other purchases. Card Info: Visa Signature or Platinum issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: If you earn 135,000 points in one calendar year, you'll get a companion pass good for the rest of that calendar year and all of the next year ✦ Earn 1,500 TQPs for each $5K in purchases Noteworthy perks: 6000 bonus points each year upon card renewal. 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins each year. 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year ✦ 25% back on in-flight drinks, Wi-Fi, messaging, and movies. |
FM Mini Review: Great for frequent Southwest flyers - this card could easily be a long-term keeper. $149 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Southwest ✦ 2X Rapid Rewards(R) hotel and car partners ✦ 2X local transit and rideshare ✦ 2X internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming ✦ 1X on all other purchases. Card Info: Visa Signature or Platinum issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: If you earn 135,000 points in one calendar year, you'll get a companion pass good for the rest of that calendar year and all of the next year ✦ Earn 1,500 TQPs for each $5K in purchases Noteworthy perks: ✦ 7,500 anniversary points each year ✦ $75 Southwest annual travel credit ✦ Four A1-15 boardings every year ✦ 25% back on in-flight drinks, Wi-Fi, messaging, and movies. ✦ 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year |
$199 Annual Fee Earning rate: 4X Southwest ✦ 3X Rapid Rewards(R) hotel and car partners ✦ 2X rideshare ✦ 2X social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services ✦ 1X on all other purchases. Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: If you earn 135,000 points in one calendar year, you'll get a companion pass good for the rest of that calendar year and all of the next year ✦ Earn 1,500 TQPs for each $5K in purchases Noteworthy perks: 9000 bonus points each year upon card renewal ✦ 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available ✦ Global Entry or TSA Pre✔ Fee Credit ✦ Up to 365 Inflight WiFi Credits ✦ 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year. |
$99 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Southwest ✦ 2X Rapid Rewards(R) hotel and car partners ✦ 2X rideshare ✦ 1X on all other purchases. Card Info: Visa issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: If you earn 135,000 points in one calendar year, you'll get a companion pass good for the rest of that calendar year and all of the next year ✦ Earn 1,500 TQPs for each $5,000 spent in purchases annually. Noteworthy perks: 6000 bonus points each year upon card renewal. 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins each year. 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year. |
Virgin Atlantic Companion Fare
Pros: save a few miles | Cons: elite status requirement for premium class, fuel surcharges apply to companion
How to get it: Spend $15K and/or $30K on the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard within a membership year to get your choice of one of several “personal perks,” including a certificate that allows you to take one person with you in a reward seat up to the points value of your reward voucher OR upgrade a booked seat into a reward seat in any higher cabin up to the points value of your reward voucher.
Flight requirement: Using Virgin miles, book any award ticket on flights operated by Virgin Atlantic. Voucher value is dependent upon the cardholders elite status (Tier) with Virgin Atlantic, as follows:
- If you are a Red tier member your reward voucher will be worth up to the value of 75,000 Virgin Points.
- If you are a Silver or Gold tier member your reward voucher will be worth up to the value of 150,000 Virgin Points.
Companion benefit:
- Receive one companion ticket in the same class of service for no additional miles. Taxes, fees, charges, and carrier-imposed surcharges do apply to the Companion Fare
How to book: Call Virgin Atlantic
Eligible credit card:
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: The Tier Points and annual 3rd night free at Virgin Hotels might be useful for some, especially with the anniversary bonus...but it's more "meh" than "yeah" for most of us. $99 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Hotels and Virgin Voyages ✦ 2X dining, at grocery stores, on select streaming services and for EV charging ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Mastercard Signature issued by Synchrony. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Spend $15k in a calendar year to choose one or $30k to choose two of: voucher for companion seat or cabin upgrade; one free night or suite upgrade at Virgin Hotels up to $300 Bar Tab credit or Blue Extras perks package on Virgin Voyages Noteworthy perks: 25 Tier Points for each $2,500 in eligible purchases (max 50 Tier Points per month) ✦ 3rd night free at participating Virgin Hotel once/year ✦ 5,000 point yearly anniversary bonus |
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Cathay card is closed to new applicants, fwiw. I think this is somewhat recent as there was an elevated offer up until mid-October. The card landing page references a likely refresh in 2025.
The Southwest Companion ticket was my first real sojourn into points and miles. It was actually on a trip we took on SW (Tucson to Detroit to go to Ann Arbor) with points and pass that I first heard about Greg and Frequent Miler!
Awesome!
VS seems to have stopped offering their Standard Companion Seats as of 10/30
I believe the Alaska companion fare is also valid on multi-city itineraries, not just one-way and round-trip.
Not officially (per the terms), but in practice, their IT definition of “round trip” is pretty dang broad.
[…] Southwest Companion pass has undoubtedly long been the most valuable companion ticket benefit of any airline program and it continues to be so in 2020. The key value lies in the fact […]
If I use my Amex Gold PRG card to pay for Delta companion tickets will the taxes and fees charged for my companion be reimbursed as an allowed miscellaneous airline expense? Delta is my chosen airline on this card and I used to use it to purchase Delta $50 gift certificates, but no more, boo hoo.
Unfortunately that does not seem to work anymore (it used to, though). See this post for the latest info about what works and what doesn’t: https://frequentmiler.com/amex-airline-fee-reimbursements-still-works/#Delta
[…] More details can be found here. […]
[…] Aer Lingus Commercial Companion Ticket […]
For the amtrak pass, you can now apply the coupons online- big step up IMO. Also, you now get 2 one-way passes, which helps one maximize a bit more.
Awesome, thanks. I’ve updated the post about booking Amtrak companions online and in-app. When you say that you get 2 one-way passes, do you mean cardholders get 2 one-way companion tickets instead of (previously) one that could be used either for 1-way or round-trip?
Yes, exactly. Sorry I was unclear earlier. you get 2 online-applicable 1-way companion “coupons” that you literally enter in the coupon/promo section when booking your trip. And then when you select for 2 people, the system just charges you for the price of 1 ticket, and gives you both.
Thanks. That does sound like a very good improvement!
[…] Complete Guide to Travel Companion Tickets […]
I tried to book a Delta companion ticket last night r/t PHL – SJC the first week of May and no eligible fare classes were available. I’ve had the platinum AMEX card for 15 years and this is the first time I’ve run into this problem. Is Delta (more) limiting the number of seats available for this benefit?
I’m not aware of them limiting it more. I’ve run into problems quite a few times over the years where I couldn’t use it when I wanted to due to the fare classes not being available. I find that the further in advance you book, the more likely you’ll find available seats in that fare class.