If you're a frequent Delta flyer, odds are you've got a co-branded Delta credit card in your wallet. And while the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the most popular choice, two cards with higher fees are worth considering for one big reason: An annual Delta companion certificate.
While SkyMiles may not go far these days, these Delta companion certificates can be reason enough to keep a top Delta card in your wallet. 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 whatever annual fee you're paying on your Delta card.
But for many flyers with these certificates in their wallets, it's gotten harder to put them to use over the last year or two, running searches that turn up blank when trying to apply a companion certificate. We're here to help. And luckily, Delta has made it a bit easier by introducing a new price calendar feature when searching for flights using your Delta companion certificate.
Whether you've already got a Delta companion ticket in your account or you're eyeing the latest Delta credit card offers, we'll give you some hints on how to make sure you use them wisely.
What is a Delta Companion Certificate?
What's a Delta companion certificate? Well, it's one of the best benefits of any Delta credit card.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card gets you an annual companion certificate to use on economy fares within the continental U.S. That means Hawaii and Alaska are off-limits.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card comes with a companion certificate that also works for Delta Comfort Plus and first class tickets within the continental U.S.
You'll get this perk after your first full year with either of the two top-of-the-line 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.
How Does the Delta Companion Certificate Work?
You won't get your companion ticket right off the bat when you open a new Platinum or Reserve card account. It starts once you've held either the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card for a full year.
Exactly what you can get depends on which card you've got. Again, let's go over some basics:
- The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card‘s companion certificate is good for one main cabin roundtrip fare in the continental U.S.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card‘s companion ticket can also be used for Comfort Plus and domestic first-class airfare.
And remember: These Delta companion tickets are a use-it-or-lose-it benefit! Pay close attention to the expiration date on your certificate, and be sure to use it before then. It's not enough to book before it lapses – you have to actually take the trip before it expires.
The paid fare will earn SkyMiles and Delta Medallion Status credits, but the free fare will not. If you've got Delta status, both of you will be eligible for complimentary upgrades. Unfortunately, you cannot use SkyMiles to book the first ticket: Paid fares only.
One final important restriction to keep in mind: 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. However, using a Visa, MasterCard, or any other credit card will not work.
Simple enough, right? But all this doesn't mean that you can buy any roundtrip ticket and use your Delta companion certificate to bring a buddy for free…
Which Fares Qualify?
While it can still be an incredible benefit, there are some serious strings attached to these Delta companion tickets that can make the right fares harder to find and book. You have to find a specific type of fare class in order to apply a Delta companion certificate.
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 Delta 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.
Feeling lost? Read up on how fare classes work.
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.
And that's the problem many Delta flyers with these companion certificates are running into now. With airfare on the rise lately, Delta isn't selling nearly as many of these fare classes that make the cut. That's why many travelers are searching for flights to use their companion tickets and coming up empty.
But don't worry. We've got plenty of tips to help you find a way to make it work. Keep reading…
How to Use a Delta Companion Pass
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, 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.
That said, there are a few other quirks to keep in mind…
Can You Use a Delta Companion Certificate Booking with SkyMiles?
No. Sadly.
Delta does not allow travelers to use a stash of Delta SkyMiles to book the first ticket when applying a Delta companion certificate. It has to be a paid fare, and you have to pay with an American Express card.
But Can You Use Delta eCredits, Too?
Yes!
This is one of the best developments we've seen recently. Sometime last year, Delta added the ability to apply Delta eCredits to the paid ticket even when redeeming a companion fare.
After years of canceling flights through the pandemic and many extensions to make these eCredits last through 2024, we know plenty of Delta flyers still have credits sitting around in their accounts. Using a companion certificate and eCredits together can help make your flights even cheaper – it's the ultimate two birds, one stone.
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.
So long as there's a balance left over – and because you're paying your companion's taxes and fees, there will be – just finish up by paying with an Amex card and you're set!
Can Someone Else Use a Companion Certificate?
Yes … usually.
Nearly all Delta companion certificates that come through Delta's SkyMiles credit cards are fully transferrable. So 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 actually takes the trip. For instance, you could book a flight for your spouse and child using the companion certificate for one of the fares, so long as you pay for the flights with your Delta Amex card.
Tips to Use & Maximize Your Delta Companion Ticket
What's the best way to use a Delta companion ticket? We're glad you asked.
In theory, these Delta companion certificates are worth their weight in gold. It's a BOGO ticket and an easy way to offset the annual fee on your top-dollar Delta Amex card.
But in practice, redeeming these certificates has become a chore over the last few years. We've heard from countless frustrated travelers who have tried and tried and tried to find flights to use this perk only to come up empty-handed every time.
You're not alone. Here's some advice on how to find the fares that work, then squeeze all the juice out of your Delta companion ticket when you can.
A Next-Level Tip to Find the Right Fares
How on earth can you find those special L, U, T, X, and V fares you need to use these certificates? Are you supposed to just search route after route on Delta until you finally come up with a result?
There's a tool that can easily help you zero in on flights that work: It's called ITA Matrix. I'll show you exactly how it can help in this situation.
Think of ITA Matrix 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 ones you need in order to find flights to use your Delta companion certificate.
Let's say I'm trying to use my companion certificate for a few nights in New York City toward the end of summer, 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 with a Delta companion 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 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. Flights departing Tuesday, Aug. 15, and returning Saturday, Aug 19 are in fare class T, which does the trick to use a Delta companion certificate.
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.
Select ‘My Dates are Flexible'
For many years, you'd have to search one day at a time to try to find flights that work with your companion certificate. Nothing available for roundtrip flights from New York City (JFK) to Miami (MIA) on Aug. 17 and returning 10 days later? Start your search over and try again. It was exhausting.
But one small change last year has made it much, much easier: 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.
By allowing travelers to pull up a calendar view, Delta now shows you that returning just a day or two earlier makes these certificates available to use on these flights to Miami this summer. 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.
Using ITA Matrix is still more powerful, but this makes it much easier to put those certificates to use without leaving Delta.com.
Read more: Delta Makes it Much Easier to Find Flights for Companion Certificates
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 flights that work are fairly slim. That's especially true now, as sky-high travel demand and higher airfare have made it all but impossible to find the fare classes that are eligible.
We can't tell you exactly how far in advance you need to search to break through: It's unpredictable. But you'll definitely have better odds of making it work by searching at least three to six months out.
Just remember: You have to book and take the trip before your companion certificate expires. If your return date falls beyond the expiration window, it won't work.
Book the Most Expensive Ticket You Can!
Start thinking big to make the most out of your Delta companion ticket.
Any round-trip, main cabin (or first class, if you have the Delta Reserve Card) flight within the lower 48 U.S. states will qualify – as long as it falls into one of the fare classes above. And some will be better options than others to maximize the value of your certificate.
Cross-country routes and even some short-haul flights consistently tend to be the most expensive. But airfare dips and skyrockets so wildly, that can be hard to predict.
Here's the bottom line: Make sure you book a flight that costs $250 (see rates & fees) or more per ticket if you hold the Delta Platinum Card, or $550 or more (see rates & fees) if you hold the Delta Reserve. That's the key to making the annual fee on either the Platinum or Reserve Delta SkyMiles card worth it. Regardless of any other benefits the cards provide, this one can cover the entire cost of your annual fee.
We've regularly been able to get $300 or far more in value out of the companion certificate. And that's before factoring in the value of free checked bags for everyone on the itinerary! You can use the benefit for any travel in the continental U.S. so there are endless redemption options that will maximize the value of the ticket.
Pair it with an International Fare Deal
Consider using your Delta companion ticket to lower the costs of an international getaway.
Earlier this 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 Angels (LAX). If that's not your home airport, the cost of getting 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.
All About the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card
The Platinum Delta SkyMiles card by American Express is one of several options for Delta cards, but it's among our favorites. That's due in large part to this companion certificate, which can easily net you $300 or more in value every single year. You'll get the benefit after your first full year with the card. But there are other perks to the card, too.
The Platinum Delta SkyMiles card will also get you free checked baggage for anyone on your itinerary. And you'll never pay pesky foreign transaction fees.
The card earns 3x SkyMiles per dollar spent at both hotels and on Delta purchases. It also earns 2x SkyMiles per dollar spent at both restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. You'll also get a $100 credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once every four years. Membership in both programs is good for five years.
Long layover on your international journey? The Platinum Delta SkyMiles card can get you into the Delta SkyClub for $50 per person. If you don’t already have a card that includes lounge access, this is a great way to access the Delta Sky Club.
While we feel Delta SkyMiles have lost their luster recently, some bonus miles just sweeten the deal. You can currently bonus_miles_full
The card does have an annual fee of $250 (see rates & fees), but it can easily be offset with the companion ticket it provides.
Learn more about the card_name
All About the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card by American Express is the top-tier card in the Delta co-branded credit card portfolio.
That's due in large part to this companion certificate. Unlike the companion certificate from the Platinum card, it can be used for both Comfort Plus and domestic first-class tickets, too. You'll get the benefit after your first full year with the card.
The card earns 3x SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta purchases. You'll also get a $100 credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once every four years. Membership in both programs is good for five years.
Long layover on your international journey? The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card gets you complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club. You'll also be able to access Amex's incredible Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges so long as you book your Delta flight with the Reserve card.
There's also a welcome bonus: You can now bonus_miles_full
With an annual fee of $550 (see rates & fees), it certainly isn't for everybody.
Learn more about the card_name
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any other Delta Companion ticket rules?
While we've already covered almost everything you need to know, there are some subtle items to note about the Delta Companion Pass.
- It's only eligible on Delta, Delta Connection carrier and Delta Shuttle flights – which excludes all other Delta-designated codeshare flights and flights on partner airlines.
- Delta Companion Certificate is valid for one roundtrip Main Cabin companion ticket with the purchase of certain adult roundtrip fares on published routings within the continental United States. One-way and multi-city bookings are not allowed.
- Companion tickets cannot be used on tickets with fees of more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments).
- Companion Certificate and Delta eCredits can be combined in the same transaction.
- You can't use Delta SkyMiles with your companion certificate.
- Delta Companion Certificates are for new purchases only – they can't be applied to the cost of previously issued tickets.
Can I give my Delta companion ticket to someone else?
Wondering how to transfer a Delta Companion Certificate? You don't need to.
If you've got a companion ticket you aren't using, you can book the reservation for someone else using a certificate, and that ticket is assigned to them and their companion.
However, once the tickets have been issued, a Delta Companion Certificate can't be transferred.
Bottom Line
Delta companion certificates are some of the best benefits on the card_name and the card_name.
But understanding the ins and outs of these Delta companion tickets is critical to coming out ahead – and there's no question that they've gotten much harder to use lately. Fortunately, there are still smart ways to put them to use in 2023 or 2024.
Very clear explanation
And yet, I can’t make that site work for me at all.
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.
Tried 6 different 2019 round trip from BZN to ORD. Nothing-nada-no flights.
Hello,
The certificate only works for travel within the contiguous 48 states.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
Hello, what if the person is leaving from a different destination?
You must be on the same flight.
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/
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!
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?
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.
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.
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.
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).
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 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?
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
This is so very valuable. Thank you!
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.
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.
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.