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- Four Delta credit cards come with a companion certificate each year when you renew on your account anniversary
- Delta companion certificates are essentially a buy-one-get-one coupon for domestic flights.
- When you book a round-trip ticket for yourself, you can bring a companion for just the cost of taxes and fees.
Delta credit cards come with great perks for Delta flyers, like free checked bags and priority boarding on Delta flights, airport lounge access, and discounts on certain inflight purchases.
But one of the most valuable Delta benefits is the ability to bring a friend or family member with you for just the cost of taxes and fees. This comes in the form of an annual companion certificate — and four co-branded Amex Delta credit cards offer it:
It’s possible to get well over $1,000 in travel from each of these bonuses. Read our post on how to use Delta miles for tips.
After your first year of holding one of these cards, you’ll get a companion certificate. You’ll receive another certificate each year you renew your card membership. Depending on how you use it, you could save hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars each year.
If you’ll use this perk each year, you can easily offset your credit card annual fee. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card charges a $550 annual fee. If you and a travel buddy wanted to fly from Atlanta to Seattle in business class, you’d pay $1,500 per ticket. But with the companion certificate, you could buy one ticket and bring your buddy along for just the cost of taxes and fees — effectively cutting your price per ticket in half.
Here’s how this benefit works.
Delta credit cards offer different companion certificates
50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 3x Miles at hotels when purchase made directly with the hotel. Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on groceries at U.S supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.
50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 3x Miles at hotels when purchase made directly with the hotel. Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on groceries at U.S supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.
On American Express’s website
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta’s mid-tier card is a good choice for frequent flyers who can take advantage of money-saving benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, an annual companion certificate, and a statement credit for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. However, if you’re unlikely to maximize these perks or you don’t fly Delta that often, a travel credit card with a lower annual fee is a better choice.
Details
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 3x Miles at hotels when purchase made directly with the hotel. Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on groceries at U.S supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.
Intro offer
50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months from account opening
50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months from account opening
Show more
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.99% – 29.99% Variable
60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is one of the best airline credit cards for frequent Delta flyers who can use benefits like airport lounge access, which can make the $550 annual fee worthwhile.
Details
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months from account opening
60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months from account opening
Show more
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.99% – 29.99% Variable
60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1.5x Miles on purchases over of $5,000 or more everywhere else, up to 50K additional miles per calendar year. Earn 1x Miles on all other purchases.
60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1.5x Miles on purchases over of $5,000 or more everywhere else, up to 50K additional miles per calendar year. Earn 1x Miles on all other purchases.
On American Express’s website
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Details
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1.5x Miles on purchases over of $5,000 or more everywhere else, up to 50K additional miles per calendar year. Earn 1x Miles on all other purchases.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership
60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership
Show more
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.99% – 29.99% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
N/A
70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership
Rewards
Enjoy 3x miles on eligible Delta purchases. Earn 1.5x miles after you spend $150K on your card in a calendar year. Earn 1x miles on all other purchases.
70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership
Rewards
Enjoy 3x miles on eligible Delta purchases. Earn 1.5x miles after you spend $150K on your card in a calendar year. Earn 1x miles on all other purchases.
On American Express’s website
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
This premium Amex card is a good choice for small-business owners who fly Delta very frequently and can take advantage of upscale perks like Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge access, an annual companion certificate, and complimentary upgrades. However, it has the highest annual fee of any Delta business card, so if you aren’t able to use these benefits, it won’t be worth it.
Details
Rewards
Enjoy 3x miles on eligible Delta purchases. Earn 1.5x miles after you spend $150K on your card in a calendar year. Earn 1x miles on all other purchases.
Intro offer
70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership
70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership
Show more
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.99% – 29.99% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
N/A
The companion certificate is essentially a buy-one-get-one coupon. You’ll only pay for the taxes and fees of your companion when flying Delta, Delta Connection, and Delta Shuttle flights.
Depending on which card you have, you can use the certificate for travel in economy, or in any class:
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Companion Certificate valid for domestic travel in Main Cabin ($250 annual fee)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Companion Certificate valid for domestic travel in Main Cabin ($250 annual fee)
- American Express Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Companion Certificate valid for domestic travel in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, or First Class ($550 annual fee)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Companion Certificate valid for domestic travel in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, or First Class ($550 annual fee)
As you can see, the Delta Reserve credit cards demand a significantly higher fee. That’s because the cards also offer complimentary Delta Sky Club access and Amex Centurion lounge access when you’re flying Delta.
If you’re not sure which of these cards is best for you, check out our comparison of the Delta Platinum and Reserve cards to help decide.
You can’t fly just anywhere with a Delta companion certificate
Delta companion certificates are only valid for flights within the continental US. In other words, you can’t use them for international flights in premium cabins with lie-flat seats. You’re relegated to standard domestic first-class recliner seats within the Lower 48.
To be clear, Hawaii, Alaska, and other US territories like Puerto Rico are not eligible destinations for your companion pass. However — if the address listed on your Delta SkyMiles account is in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands, the certificate can be used for travel to the continental US.
Delta companion certificates only work with select fare classes
Holding a companion certificate doesn’t mean you can book any flight within the contiguous US. You must pay attention to the specific “fare class” of each cabin. Fare classes are letters airlines use to categorize each seat on the plane. They determine things like price, ticket flexibility, eligibility to upgrade, etc.
You can attach a Delta companion certificate to any of the following fare classes:
- Economy:Â L, U, T, X, and V fares
- Comfort+: W, S (Delta Reserve cards only)
- First class: I, Z (Delta Reserve cards only)
In short, economy covers most of the cheaper and mid-priced coach fares, as well as some pricier ones. You shouldn’t have much trouble finding eligible flights in economy as long as you’re booking at least one month in advance.
You must use your eligible Delta card to pay
When reserving a companion certificate, you must pay with your Delta Platinum or Delta Reserve credit card to activate the benefit. You must also book both seats at the same time.Â
You can’t combine any web-special fares or eCoupons with your payment method. Also, you cannot use Delta miles in tandem with a Delta companion certificate. You must purchase your fare with your eligible card to qualify.
Bottom line
The Delta companion certificate can be one of the most valuable ongoing credit card benefits in the travel credit card world.
Unfortunately, the amount you save will depend on the amount you spend. If you book a $1,000 seat for yourself, you can bring a friend for just the cost of taxes and fees, saving nearly $1,000.Â
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