4 Delta credit cards come with an annual companion plane ticket — an incredible value if you know how to use itUpdated Show
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while you're on the go. 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 — all with hugely increased limited-time bonuses: 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. Insider's Featured Rewards Credit Cards Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card Citi Premier® Card Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Earn unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1x points on other purchases. 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening Earn 3x ThankYou® points at restaurants and supermarkets. Earn 3x ThankYou® points at gas stations, air travel, and hotels. Earn 1x ThankYou® points on all other purchases 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else. 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening 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. We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay. Delta credit cards offer different companion certificatesDelta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Intro offer 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22) 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. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Intro offer 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22) 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 from American ExpressOn American Express's website Insider’s Take
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. Card DetailsRewards 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 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22) Recommended Credit Good to Excellent Regular APR 18.74% - 27.74% Variable Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earns bonus miles at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual companion certificate can help you recoup most, if not all, of the annual fee Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You get a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. High annual fee HighlightsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Intro offer 95,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22) Rewards Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Intro offer 95,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22) Rewards Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases. On American Express's website Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card from American ExpressOn American Express's website Card DetailsRewards Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases. Intro offer 95,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22) Recommended Credit Good to Excellent Regular APR 18.74% - 27.74% Variable Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual companion certificate benefit, which is valid for domestic first class and Comfort+ as well as the main cabin Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Access to Delta Sky Clubs and American Express Centurion Lounges when you're flying Delta Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earns 3x miles on Delta purchases Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Very high annual fee Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Doesn't offer bonus miles on non-Delta purchases HighlightsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Intro offer 85,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership (offer ends 11/9/22) 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. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Intro offer 85,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership (offer ends 11/9/22) 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 from American ExpressOn American Express's website Card DetailsRewards 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 85,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership (offer ends 11/9/22) Recommended Credit Good to Excellent Regular APR 18.74% - 27.74% Variable Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual companion certificate benefit helps you recoup the annual fee Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can earn MQMs toward Delta elite status by meeting annual spending thresholds Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Application fee credit of up to $85 for TSA PreCheck and up to $100 for Global Entry Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Doesn't earn bonus miles on everyday purchase categories like dining and office supply stores HighlightsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Intro offer 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership (offer ends 11/9/22) Rewards Earn 3x miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1.5x miles after you spend $150K on your card in a calendar year. Earn 1x miles on all other purchases. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Intro offer 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership (offer ends 11/9/22) Rewards Earn 3x miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. 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 from American ExpressOn American Express's website Insider’s TakeThis 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. Card DetailsRewards Earn 3x miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1.5x miles after you spend $150K on your card in a calendar year. Earn 1x miles on all other purchases. Intro offer 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership (offer ends 11/9/22) Recommended Credit Good to Excellent Regular APR 18.74% - 27.74% Variable Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual companion certificate that works in domestic first class Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Access to Delta Sky Club and American Express Centurion Lounges when you're flying Delta Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earns 3x miles on Delta purchases Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Very high annual fee Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. No bonus miles on non-Delta purchases HighlightsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
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:
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 certificateDelta 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 classesHolding 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:
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 payWhen 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. 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. Amex Delta Platinum and Reserve cards bonusesRight now, the Amex Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve cards have great welcome bonus offers (along with other Delta cards). Here's what you can earn:
Insider estimates that Delta miles are worth 1.1 cents each, on average. That means you'll receive potential value between $880 and $1,100 in flights, depending on which card you open. Bottom lineThe 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.
Joseph Hostetler, CEPF Credit cards reporter Joseph Hostetler is a credit cards reporter for Insider who also covers helpful miles and points tricks. He is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). Joseph has more than five years of experience writing professionally about credit cards, previously authoring and editing for The Points Guy and Million Mile Secrets. You can reach Joseph at . Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services » Read more Read less For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, please click here. Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards. Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available. **Enrollment required. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. Related articlesMore... Can you use miles when using companion certificate?You cannot pay with miles when you have your companion certificate applied. You can only pay with any American Express issued card. I recommend paying with the American Express Platinum Charge Card as it gives you 5X Membership Rewards points for each dollar spent on airfare bought directly from an airline's website.
Do companion fares earn miles?Companion ticket will not accrue miles. Tickets are eligible for Global or Regional Upgrade Certificates but not eligible for mileage upgrades.
Can Delta companion ticket be used for Hawaii?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.
Can I let someone else use my Delta companion ticket?Can I give my Delta Companion Certificate to someone else? Yes, you can book for someone else using your Delta Companion Certificate. However, once the ticket has been issued, it's no longer transferable.
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