Booking a companion ticket with American Express can be a fantastic way to save on airfare, but the process can sometimes feel a little confusing. The key is understanding that American Express itself doesn't issue a generic companion ticket for all airlines. Instead, the benefit is tied to specific co-branded cards, most notably the Delta SkyMiles cards.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, focusing on the most common and popular companion ticket benefit—the Delta SkyMiles Companion Certificate. Let's get started!
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility and Get Ready to Travel
Before you can book your companion ticket, you need to make sure you have the right card and that the benefit has been issued.
Do you have the right card? The American Express companion certificate is primarily associated with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card. You receive this certificate each year after you renew your card.
Have you received your certificate? The certificate is not an email or a physical voucher you receive in the mail. It's an electronic certificate that is deposited directly into your Delta SkyMiles account. It typically becomes available in the month of your card's renewal.
Engage with your travel plans: Before you even open your computer, you should have a good idea of where and when you want to travel. Companion certificates have specific rules regarding eligible routes, fare classes, and travel dates. Being flexible with your travel dates is often the secret to finding the best deals and available seats.
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| How Do I Book American Express Companion Ticket |
Step 2: Locating Your Companion Certificate
Your companion certificate is waiting for you online. Here's how to find it:
Sub-heading: Log into your SkyMiles Account
Go to the official Delta Air Lines website, delta.com.
Log in using your SkyMiles account number and password. This is a crucial step! The companion certificate is linked to your SkyMiles account, not your American Express account.
Sub-heading: Navigate to your Profile
Once logged in, click on your name or profile icon in the top right-hand corner of the page.
From the dropdown menu, select "My Profile."
Sub-heading: Find Certificates, eCredits & Vouchers
On the left-hand side of your profile page, you'll see a navigation menu. Click on "Certificates, eCredits & Vouchers."
Here you will find a list of any available companion certificates, along with their expiration dates and any other details. Pay close attention to the expiration date. You must book and complete your travel by this date.
Step 3: The Booking Process: Finding Your Flights
This is where the magic happens! Booking with a companion certificate isn't like a standard flight search. You need to initiate the search through your certificate.
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
Sub-heading: Select Your Certificate
In the "Certificates, eCredits & Vouchers" section, locate the companion certificate you want to use.
Click the checkbox next to it and then click the "Continue" button. This will take you to the special flight search tool that is designed for companion certificate redemptions.
Sub-heading: Search for Eligible Flights
The search tool will look familiar, but it's now pre-loaded to search for eligible companion certificate fares.
Enter your departure and arrival airports, and your travel dates. Remember the rules! For a Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, the certificate is typically for Main Cabin round-trip flights within the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America. For a Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, you may have more options, including First Class.
Here's a pro-tip: If your initial search yields no results, try adjusting your dates by a day or two. Availability for these certificates can be limited and vary widely.
Sub-heading: Review and Select Your Flights
The results page will show you flights that are available for a companion certificate booking. The price displayed will be for the primary ticket, and the companion's ticket cost will be just the taxes and fees.
Select the flights that work best for your schedule. Both passengers must be booked on the same flights and dates.
Step 4: Finalizing Your Reservation and Payment
You're almost there! This is the last step before you're officially booked.
Sub-heading: Passenger Information
On the Trip Summary page, you will enter the passenger information for both you and your companion.
The primary ticket holder must be the American Express Card Member who earned the certificate.
Sub-heading: Payment Details
You will see a detailed breakdown of the costs. The companion certificate will be applied, and you will only be responsible for the taxes and fees for both tickets.
The final payment must be made using a valid American Express Card. It doesn't have to be the specific card that earned the certificate, but it must be an American Express card.
Sub-heading: Confirm and Enjoy!
Review all the details one last time. Make sure the names, dates, and flights are all correct.
Click "Confirm Purchase" or the equivalent button. You will receive an email confirmation with your booking details.
Congratulations! You have successfully booked your American Express companion ticket. Now you can look forward to your trip and the money you saved.
QuickTip: Let each idea sink in before moving on.
Related FAQ Questions
How to find out which American Express card offers a companion ticket? The primary American Express cards in the U.S. that offer companion certificates are the Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Cards. The specific details, like eligible fare classes and destinations, vary between the two cards.
How to check the expiration date of my American Express companion certificate? You can find the expiration date by logging into your Delta SkyMiles account, going to "My Profile," and then clicking on "Certificates, eCredits & Vouchers." The date will be clearly listed next to the certificate.
How to book a companion ticket if I don't have the certificate yet? You cannot book a companion ticket without the certificate. The certificate is an electronic voucher that must be applied to the booking during the search process. It is only issued after your card's annual renewal.
How to tell if a flight is eligible for a companion certificate? The easiest way is to search for flights through the dedicated companion certificate booking tool on delta.com. This tool will only show you flights that have the required fare class availability for the certificate.
Tip: Check back if you skimmed too fast.
How to use my companion ticket if I am not traveling with a companion? The Delta SkyMiles companion certificate is a "Buy One, Get One" offer. The card member must be one of the two travelers on the reservation. You cannot use it to book a ticket for two other people.
How to know if a companion ticket is transferable? While the certificate itself is tied to the card member's SkyMiles account, the primary ticket and the companion ticket are not transferable once they are issued. The person who earned the certificate must be one of the travelers.
How to pay for a companion ticket booking? You must pay for the booking using a valid American Express card. The specific card that earned the certificate is not required, but it must be an Amex card.
How to cancel a flight booked with a companion ticket? If you need to cancel a flight, the companion certificate is typically returned to your account with its original expiration date. You will need to check the specific terms and conditions of your certificate and the fare rules for your ticket.
How to get a companion certificate if I have a different Amex card? The companion certificate is a specific benefit of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve American Express Cards. You would need to apply for and be approved for one of these cards to earn the benefit after your card renewal.
How to maximize the value of my companion ticket? The best way to get maximum value is to use it on a flight that would otherwise be expensive. Since the companion's ticket only requires payment of taxes and fees, the more expensive the primary ticket, the more you save. Be flexible with your dates and book well in advance to find the highest-priced flights with certificate availability.
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