While it’s great to find a discounted price on airfare, it’s even more exciting to get a buy one, get one free deal. Certain Delta credit cards can essentially offer just that by providing a companion certificate each year after your first cardmember anniversary.
In the past, these certificates were only valid in the 48 continental U.S. states. But as of February 1st, 2024, they’ve become a lot more powerful. You can now also use a Delta companion certificate for round-trip flights to Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.
Getting the most value possible out of these companion certificates can require a bit of work, but we’ll guide you in the right direction.
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What Is a Delta Companion Certificate?
Arguably one of the best benefits of Delta’s Platinum and Reserve credit cards, companion certificates allow you to fly for free with someone else once a year.
While the fare price for the companion ticket is eliminated, you’ll still be on the hook for the taxes and fees. These fees won’t exceed $80 for domestic flights and won’t go higher than $250 on international tickets. If you have existing credits on your Delta account, you can apply them toward the primary ticket fare as well as the taxes and fees for either ticket.
For any certificate issued prior to February 1, 2024, you’ll only be able to use your companion certificate to fly in the lower 48 states. Moving forward, the newly minted companion passes will be good for flights originating from the U.S. to 20 countries including:
- Mexico
- Antigua
- Aruba
- Bermuda
- Bonaire
- Grand Cayman
- Cuba
- Jamaica
- Bahamas
- Turks and Caicos
- Dominican Republic
- Saint Kitts
- St. Maarten
- St. Lucia
- Costa Rica
- Belize
- Guatemala
- Panama
- Honduras
- El Salvador
While these companion certificates aren’t terribly restrictive, there are a few rules to be aware of. For starters, both the primary and companion tickets must be for a round trip on the same flights. In other words, you can’t book different dates or destinations—everything must be the same. You can, however, transfer your certificate to someone else so you’re not required to be one of the people traveling.
How Do I Get a Delta Companion Certificate?
There are four Delta credit cards from American Express that confer a companion certificate each year upon card renewal. Depending on the type of card that you have, you’ll be eligible for either a round-trip ticket in Main Cabin or a round-trip ticket in Main Cabin, Comfort+ or First Class.
These two cards come with a round trip companion certificate valid for Main Cabin travel:
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (terms apply, see rates & fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (terms apply, see rates & fees)
These two cards come with a round-trip companion certificate valid for Main Cabin, Comfort+ or First Class travel:
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (terms apply, see rates & fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (terms apply, see rates & fees)
Simply applying for the card won’t get you the companion certificate. Instead you’ll get one deposited into your SkyMiles account every year upon payment of your annual fee.
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How Do Delta Companion Certificates Work?
To start your search, head over to Delta’s website and log into your account. Once you’re in, hover your mouse over the SkyMiles menu on the top and you’ll see this menu appear:
By clicking on Certificates and eCredits you’ll be brought to a page that contains all of your unused tickets, eCredits and any companion certificates loaded into your account.
Choosing the certificate loaded into your account will show more details about the certificate, such as its number and the classes of service where it’s eligible. In the next steps you’ll be able to check availability for specific flights.
The next screen looks very much like the normal flight search that you might be used to. The search will be preset to two passengers. Depending on your certificate, you’ll be able to choose Main Cabin, Comfort+ or First Class.
Once you click “Search,” you’ll be able to see if a flight is available in the class of seat you select.
Once you select the flights and add them into your cart, the price you’ll have to pay, including the discount offered by the companion pass, will display.
If you’re curious to see more details about the actual pricing, click on the blue hyperlink on the right hand side titled “Taxes, Fees & Charges” to see a cost breakdown for each ticket including takes.
If you’ve reached this far, you’re good to go. Simply pay with either eCredits or your American Express Delta SkyMiles® card and your tickets will be issued.
It’s important to note that if you cancel a flight you booked with a companion certificate, you’ll get a credit for the primary ticket but you won’t get the companion certificate back. You’ll likely have the option to make a fee-free change to your flight to avoid losing your certificate, but changes are subject to seat availability and you’ll be charged for any fare difference of the primary ticket.
Is the Delta Companion Certificate Really Worth It?
If you plan to fly with a friend, partner or family member to any of the locations that are now supported by the Delta companion certificate, it will likely be worth the cost of the credit card that offers it. And the more expensive the flight you take with the certificate, the more you’ll save.
In our above example you would have saved $442.79 on a trip to Orlando from Seattle. Since the annual fee on the Delta Platinum cards is well under that amount, you’d come out ahead. And Delta Reserve cardholders who could use their companion certificate for a first class ticket could save even more.
On the other hand, the Delta companion certificate may not be worth it to you if most of your upcoming travel plans are to ineligible countries. Also, it will be harder to gain value from the certificate you usually fly solo.
Read more: Is a Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Worth It?
How To Maximize a Delta Companion Certificate
Since these companion certificates don’t have an upper limit, their best usage will be for more expensive flights. If you’re traveling over the holidays or to a high-demand destination, you could potentially save several hundred dollars, perhaps even thousands, assuming there is availability.
Another point to remember is that only the primary passenger earns miles or MQDs towards Delta SkyMiles Medallion status. If you’re chasing status, make sure to give yourself the primary position as the companion earns a free trip, but no additional benefits.
Bottom Line
The Delta companion certificate that’s offered with certain SkyMiles credit cards is a tool that can save you significant money on travel with someone else. It isn’t a carte blanche tool as there are a few restrictions. But if you have some flexibility in your travel plans, you should be able to extract excellent value from a companion certificate each year.
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To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card please visit this page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use the companion certificate for someone else?
Yes, these companion certificates are completely transferable to friends or family members, and you do not have to be traveling.
Does the companion certificate have blackout dates?
While there is not a specific list of dates that do not have flights, your ticket is restricted by the availability of tickets in specific fare classes. For example, if you want to fly very last minute or over Christmas and Thanksgiving, those fare classes might not be available, limiting the certificate use.
Can I upgrade to first class with the companion certificate?
There are ways to move up to First Class using this certificate, but not all methods are available. For example, you can use Delta’s regional or global upgrade certificates, but you cannot use miles to upgrade. If you are a Medallion member, you will be eligible for complimentary upgrades based on your Medallion status level.
