Difference between revisions of "Delta airlines companion certificate"
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| − | One of the benefits of the Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve credit cards is an annual companion certificate, which | + | One of the benefits of the Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve credit cards is an annual companion certificate, which entitles you to two tickets for the price of one, on round trip flights, within the contiguous 48 states. You can’t use them on a trip to Hawaii or Japan, but you can get a free flight from coast-to-coast. |
The certificate from the {{Card|DeltaPlatinum|only}} ($195 annual fee) lets you travel in coach. The one from the {{Card|DeltaReserve|only}} ($450 annual fee) allows for travel in any class. | The certificate from the {{Card|DeltaPlatinum|only}} ($195 annual fee) lets you travel in coach. The one from the {{Card|DeltaReserve|only}} ($450 annual fee) allows for travel in any class. | ||
| − | On the surface, this is a great benefit, allowing you to save hundreds of dollars on the cost of purchasing two tickets. However, you are limited to certain fare classes, and then only to some of the flights where those classes are available. This | + | On the surface, this is a great benefit, allowing you to save hundreds of dollars on the cost of purchasing two tickets. However, you are limited to certain fare classes, and then only to some of the flights where those classes are available. This sometimes makes it impossible to use the certificates when you want to. Delta has lots of convenient flights, but their loyalty program is hard to deal with—and the companion certificates are no exception. |
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| − | Your best bet is to book these tickets far ahead of time, when most of the fare classes are still available. Expect to pay taxes and fees | + | Your best bet is to book these tickets far ahead of time, when most of the fare classes are still available. Expect to pay taxes and fees of no more than $75, for the companion. |
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<li>No stopovers or open jaws are allowed.</li> | <li>No stopovers or open jaws are allowed.</li> | ||
| − | <li>You need to book 14 days in advance, with a 3 to 30-night stay.</li> | + | <li>You need to book at least 14 days in advance, with a 3 to 30-night stay.</li> |
<li>Tickets are not eligible for upgrades.</li> | <li>Tickets are not eligible for upgrades.</li> | ||
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<li>Tickets are redeemable online. </li> | <li>Tickets are redeemable online. </li> | ||
| − | <li>Keep in mind that you only get the certificate on your card’s anniversary, so you won’t | + | <li>Keep in mind that you only get the certificate on your card’s anniversary, so you won’t receive a certificate the first year you have the card.</li> |
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| − | <li>'''The typical signup bonus is 30-75,000 points, enough for up to 3 domestic coach tickets'''. The more expensive Delta Reserve typically has a lower signup bonus of 10,000 miles (but you'll also receive 10,000 elite qualifying miles). </li> | + | <li>'''The typical signup bonus is 30-75,000 points, enough for up to 3 domestic coach tickets'''. The more expensive Delta Reserve card typically has a lower signup bonus of 10,000 miles (but you'll also receive 10,000 elite qualifying miles). </li> |
<li>'''The cardholder, and up to eight other passengers, get their first bag checked free and priority boarding''', as long as the cardholder’s frequent flyer number was used on the reservation.</li> | <li>'''The cardholder, and up to eight other passengers, get their first bag checked free and priority boarding''', as long as the cardholder’s frequent flyer number was used on the reservation.</li> | ||
Revision as of 14:51, 29 April 2019
Airfare Booking Strategies, Credit Card Reference
One of the benefits of the Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve credit cards is an annual companion certificate, which entitles you to two tickets for the price of one, on round trip flights, within the contiguous 48 states. You can’t use them on a trip to Hawaii or Japan, but you can get a free flight from coast-to-coast.
The certificate from the Delta Platinum Credit Card ($195 annual fee) lets you travel in coach. The one from the Delta Reserve Card ($450 annual fee) allows for travel in any class.
On the surface, this is a great benefit, allowing you to save hundreds of dollars on the cost of purchasing two tickets. However, you are limited to certain fare classes, and then only to some of the flights where those classes are available. This sometimes makes it impossible to use the certificates when you want to. Delta has lots of convenient flights, but their loyalty program is hard to deal with—and the companion certificates are no exception.
If you fly on Delta often enough, you should be able to get good value from their companion certificates. If you don’t fly Delta that often, you risk being disappointed each time you want to use them, and not getting a chance to use them before they expire.
Your best bet is to book these tickets far ahead of time, when most of the fare classes are still available. Expect to pay taxes and fees of no more than $75, for the companion.
Companion certificate rules
- The eligible coach fare classes are L, U, T, X, and V. The eligible front-of-the-plane classes are A and I. The entire ticket must be booked in the same fare bucket—you can’t use different qualifying fare classes on different segments.
- Even though the certificate is only good for travel in the 48 contiguous states, if you live in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands, you can use the certificate to travel between your home state and the rest of the country.
- No stopovers or open jaws are allowed.
- You need to book at least 14 days in advance, with a 3 to 30-night stay.
- Tickets are not eligible for upgrades.
- You must use your Delta credit card to pay for the ticket.
- The 1st person’s fare will earn miles; the companion fare will not.
- If you cancel the reservation, you’ll lose your certificate. Making a change costs $200 per ticket.
- Tickets are redeemable online.
- Keep in mind that you only get the certificate on your card’s anniversary, so you won’t receive a certificate the first year you have the card.
Other benefits of the Delta credit cards
The companion certificate is only one of the benefits of getting the Delta Reserve or Platinum card.
- The typical signup bonus is 30-75,000 points, enough for up to 3 domestic coach tickets. The more expensive Delta Reserve card typically has a lower signup bonus of 10,000 miles (but you'll also receive 10,000 elite qualifying miles).
- The cardholder, and up to eight other passengers, get their first bag checked free and priority boarding, as long as the cardholder’s frequent flyer number was used on the reservation.
- 20% discount on inflight purchases.
- Potentially earn MQMs. If you spend $25,000 during the year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles and 10,000 elite qualifying miles. If you spend an additional $25,000, you'll get another 10,000 bonus miles and elite qualification miles. On the Reserve card, you'll need to spend $30,000 per bonus, but you'll receive 15,000 bonus miles and elite qualifying miles.
- Delta Reserve cardholders get access to the Delta Sky Club. Companions cost $29/each.
