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Companion fares — also known as companion passes, companion certificates, or companion tickets — are among the most sought-after benefits an airline or credit card offers. No matter what you call it, a companion fare offers an individual the ability to travel with a companion at little to no extra cost.
However, not all companion fares are created equal. Some companion fares allow eligible travelers to use their companion fare multiple times throughout an eligibility period. Other airlines and credit cards only provide a single-use companion ticket. And some airlines require you to earn the companion fare, while others offer it just as a perk of holding a card. The most flexible companion tickets even let you redeem them for half the cost if you're traveling solo.
Some airlines have designed their companion passes as a significant feature of their rewards programs, worthy of attention and pursuit. Meanwhile, other airlines have turned theirs into a lazy half-benefit. Comparatively, these provide mediocre value.
In this post, we'll give you a bird's eye view of several companion fare offerings. This way, you can evaluate which you should earn and which you might want to pass on.
Page Contents
Types of Companion Fares, Passes, and Tickets
Airline companion perks can generally be broken down into two different categories:
- Companion tickets/fares: These single-use tickets allow you to travel with a companion at little to no cost. Often, these one-time-use fares are renewed each year with elite status or card membership.
- Companion passes: These lucrative passes offer travelers 2-for-1 travel privileges over a longer period, usually a calendar year.
Needless to say, the value of a multi-use companion pass is generally significantly greater than that of a companion fare or ticket.
But how do you earn a companion fare or companion pass? What airlines and credit cards currently offer companion passes or tickets? Let's look.
Related: Our Favorite Unheralded Credit Card Perks
Which Airlines Offer Companion Fares or Passes?
All of the following carriers offer some form of companion fare, pass, ticket, or discount:
- Aer Lingus
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Delta Air Lines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Southwest Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
How You Can Earn Companion Fares, Certificates, or Passes
Earning a companion fare can sometimes be as easy as paying the annual fee on an eligible credit card — or simply booking a ticket, no other effort required, in the case of Virgin Atlantic. Other companion fares/tickets require cardholders to meet a minimum spend requirement, which varies between credit cards.
Travelers don't need a credit card to earn the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass. However, having an eligible Southwest Airlines co-branded credit card makes earning one that much easier, thanks to a cardholder boost.
Here's how to earn companion fares or passes with eligible airlines — starting with the best.
Southwest Airlines Airline Companion Pass
One of the holy grails in the frequent flyer community is the Southwest Companion Pass. It is by far one of the most rewarding benefits of any airline loyalty program.
With the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass benefit, you can bring a designated companion on any flight for just the cost of fees and taxes. This even includes flights booked with Rapid Rewards points. The companion pass doesn’t come cheap, though. It requires flying 100 individual segments or earning 135,000 qualifying points within a calendar year.
Companion Pass holders must designate a traveler as their companion each year they qualify. And you can only change your companion just three times per year.
It's worth noting that timing is crucial when it comes to earning the Southwest Companion Pass. If you get it right, you can hold the Companion Pass for almost two full years.
How? Once you have earned enough points, you will receive and maintain Companion Pass status for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire calendar year that follows. For example, if you earn it in February 2025, for example, you’ll keep it until December 2026.
You can earn qualifying points towards the Southwest Companion Pass by flying and on eligible everyday purchases when you use any of the Southwest co-branded credit cards. Even better, welcome bonuses count as well, so there's extra incentive to take advantage of big offers when they come around.
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 2X points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- 2X points per $1 spent on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
If you're eligible for multiple Southwest cards, you can earn a Companion Pass even faster by applying for a business card and one of the three consumer cards. Alternatively, small business owners could opt to acquire both business credit cards. Unfortunately, you can't hold more than one personal card.
Moreover, Southwest cardholders receive an annual boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year. Note that these are not spendable points but count only towards your companion pass, effectively lowering the necessary qualifying points to 125,000 in a year for cardholders.
Aer Lingus Companion Ticket
Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card cardholders can earn a Companion Ticket by making $30,000 or more in purchases during a calendar year. The ticket is valid for 12 months.
Once you hit that threshold, you'll receive a voucher email within 4–6 weeks. To use it, you'll need to email Aer Lingus at chasecompanionticket@aerlingus.com. You're promised a maximum response time of 48 hours if you email Monday to Thursday and 72 hours Friday to Sunday.
Also, note that you don't have quite the full year to make purchases. That's because purchases must post to a billing statement that closes during the calendar year to count. So, purchases that you make after your December statement closes will count toward the next year.
Furthermore, the fine print states that all travel must originate in and return to the U.S. and is only eligible on economy flights to and from Ireland.
- 3X Avios per $1 spent on purchases with Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, and LEVEL
- 2X Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations
- 1X Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Alaska Airlines Companion Fare
Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ is one of the easiest to earn; it's a staple benefit of each of Alaska's co-branded credit cards.
Both Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card holders and Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card can earn a companion fare each account anniversary after paying the annual fee, provided you spent at least $6,000 on purchases within the prior anniversary year. The companion fare will cost you at least $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23).
- LIMITED TIME ONLINE OFFER-Buy One, Get One + 50,000 Bonus Miles!
- Buy one ticket, get one for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) and get 50,000 bonus miles with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
- Get Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don't expire on active accounts.
- Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
- Free checked bag and enjoy priority boarding for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, when you pay for your flight with your card - Also available for authorized users when they book a reservation too!
- With oneworld® Alliance member airlines and Alaska's Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
- Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
- This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases
- Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
- Get 60,000 bonus miles and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
- Earn another Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year.
- Free checked bag for any cardholder and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, when you pay for your flight with your card - that's a savings of $70 per person roundtrip!
- Priority Boarding for any cardholder when paying for the flight with an Alaska Airlines Business card.
- Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases and 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if your company has an eligible Bank of America® small business account.
- Enjoy 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases when you pay with your new card.
- Get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership purchased with your Alaska Airlines Business card.
- Plus, no international transaction fees and a low annual fee of $70 for the company and $25 per card.
- This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
- Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases
- Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
To redeem their companion fare, travelers must enter a unique discount code when booking. Both travelers will accrue Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles on flights booked with a companion fare.
Not planning to travel soon? You can let anyone use your companion fare. The only limitation is that the companion fare must be paid for with the Alaska credit card that it was earned on originally.
American Airlines Companion Certificate
Travelers have a few ways to earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate, including options for both personal and business credit cards. Unlike Alaska's companion fare, earning an American Airlines companion certificate for travel on American Airlines is not as simple or cheap.
Here are the current credit American Airlines credit cards that offer a companion certificate to cardholders after requisite spending:
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®
- Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®
Each card has slightly different eligibility requirements for earning a companion certificate. Here's how you can earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate with each credit card:
| American Airlines Co-Branded Credit Card | Companion Certificate Spend Requirements | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard® | Earn a companion certificate for domestic travel good for 2 guests at $99 each (plus taxes and fees) if you spend $20,000 on purchases and your account remains open for 45 days after your anniversary date. | $199 |
| AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® | Earn a companion certificate for domestic travel good for 1 guest at $99 (plus taxes and fees) if you spend $20,000 on purchases and your account remains open for 45 days after your anniversary date. | $99 |
| AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® | Earn a companion certificate for domestic travel good for 1 guest if you spend $30,000 on purchases and your account remains open for 45 days after your anniversary date. Redeeming the certificate costs $99 plus applicable taxes and fees. | $95 |
| Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® | Earn a companion certificate for domestic travel good for 1 guest after you spend $30,000 or more in purchases each cardmember year. Additionally, you must renew your card. Redeeming the certificate costs $99 for the ticketing fee plus taxes and fees. | $99, waived for first 12 months |
Arguably the best deal for those looking for a personal credit card, the Aviator Silver provides a companion certificate — redeemable for up to 2 companions at $99 per ticket (plus taxes and fees) — when you spend $30k on the card during your card's membership year (12-month rolling period from the date you opened the card). This card carries a $199 annual fee.
The catch? You can't apply for the Aviator Silver directly. Instead, you must get the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® and accept an upgrade offer.
- Get $25 back as statement credits on inflight WiFi on American Airlines operated flights.
- Receive 25% inflight savings when you use your card for food and beverages on American Airlines operated flights.
- Earn a companion certificate each anniversary year, good for 1 guest at $99 (plus taxes and fees) if you spend $20,000 on purchases and your account remains open for 45 days after your anniversary date.
- Earn 2X miles on American Airlines purchases
- Earn 1X miles on all other purchases
Alternatively, if you have the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®, the companion certificate allows you to book a domestic, round-trip, main cabin ticket for $99 base fare plus taxes and fees after you spend $30,000 annually on the card. The certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue on American Airlines flights within the 48 contiguous United States. This card carries an annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months.
- Free checked bags for you and up to 4 companions on domestic itineraries
- Priority boarding to help you win the race for overhead bin space
- A 25% discount on inflight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on cable and satellite providers
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent at gas stations
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on select telecommunications merchants
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on car rentals
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
- Earn 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
British Airways Travel Together Certificate
British Airways offers a companion certificate on the British Airways Visa Signature® Card. To earn the British Airways Travel Together Certificate, cardholders need to spend at least $30,000 on purchases using their card in a calendar year.
The British Airways Travel Together Certificate renews each calendar year. Therefore, you can continue to enjoy this benefit each year you renew your account, provided you meet the eligible spending requirements. And you'll redeem the ticket on award travel, not paid fares.
The British Airways companion certificate is redeemable for travel in First, Business (Club World/Europe), Premium Economy, and Economy classes. Due to the often significant fuel surcharges imposed by British Airways, using your companion certificate for premium cabin travel usually offers the best value. However, there is one caveat: travel must originate and end in the United States.
If you don't have a companion to bring along on your next British Airways flight, the Travel Together Certificate can also be redeemed for a solo trip. Instead of receiving a companion ticket, solo travelers will receive 50% of an Avios award redemption. This 50% discount does not apply to taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges on your award booking.
- Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL.
- Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.
- 10% off British Airways flights starting in the US when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.
- Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you'll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
- Simply tap to pay with your contactless British Airways Visa Signature Card. Just look for the contactless symbol at checkout. It's fast, easy and secure!
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 3X Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL
- 2X Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations
- 1X Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Delta Companion Certificate
To earn the Delta SkyMiles Companion Certificate, you must hold an eligible Delta co-branded credit card from American Express. How you earn a Delta companion certificate varies from card to card:
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Cardholders receive a Companion Certificate for a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America each year. Annual fee: $350 (Rates & Fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Cardholders receive a Companion Certificate for a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America each year. Annual fee: $350 (Rates & Fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Cardholders receive a Companion Certificate for a First Class, Delta Comfort+ or Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America each year. Annual fee: $650 (Rates & Fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Cardholders receive a Companion Certificate for a First Class, Delta Comfort+ or Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America each year. Annual fee: $650 (Rates & Fees)
If you hold any of the cards listed above, you are eligible for the Delta Companion Certificate each year after renewing your account.
This companion certificate allows the primary cardholder to travel with a companion while only paying taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments).
Companion certificates are valid for one round-trip First Class or Main Cabin (depending on certificate type) companion ticket with the purchase of eligible adult round-trip fares on published routings within the 48 contiguous United States. Seats are limited to specific fare booking classes, typically fares labeled L, U, T, X, or V; Reserve cardmembers also can book W, S, I, and Z fares. Additionally, these companion passes must be used before expiration and only the primary traveler will accrue miles for the flight.
Related: The Complete Guide to the Delta SkyMiles Program
Hawaiian Airlines Companion Discount
Hawaiian Airlines offers two different types of companion tickets as a benefit of both the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® and the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Business Mastercard®.
- One-time 50% companion discount: Get a one-time 50% companion discount offered as a benefit to those with the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®. Cardholders receive a one-time 50% discount toward a published full-fare economy round-trip fare for a companion. This one-time 50% companion discount offer is good for 13 months from account opening.
- $100 companion travel discount: Each year you renew your Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®, you can bring a companion along on a Hawaiian Airlines trip and save $100. It may not be the most competitive or compelling benefit, but it's a nice way to save $100 a year on airfare. This discount is valid for 12 months from your card's anniversary date.
Lufthansa Companion Ticket
It may not be widely known, but you can earn a companion ticket for travel on Lufthansa. Offered as a benefit of the Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard®, cardholders receive one economy class companion ticket each year on their account anniversary. Unlike other passes, this one is good during the first year of card membership!
There are some restrictions, but overall, it's a pretty straightforward and lucrative benefit of the card. Lufthansa does a fantastic job of outlining all of the rules on its companion ticket landing page.
Virgin Atlantic Companion Seat
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offers perhaps the easiest companion ticket of them all. You don't need to earn it. And it's valid in all cabins. Provided you're already booked on a Virgin-operated flight with additional award space available and have enough Virgin points in your account to purchase a Companion Seat voucher (see the costs below), you can finalize your purchase with a customer service agent over the phone. You can't book online.
The cost of a companion ticket award will depend on where you're flying and whether it's a peak/off-peak travel date. You can find those dates here.
With Virgin Atlantic's Companion Seat, you'll pay fees, taxes, and carrier-imposed charges, which, unfortunately, can be hefty.
The prices below are for round-trip travel; you'll pay half the points for a one-way trip. Once you've booked your own ticket, here are some examples of how many points you'll pay to bring a companion on standard-rate (off-peak) flights:
- New York City to/from U.K: 10,000 points in economy, 17,000 in premium, or 47,400 in Upper Class.
- Miami to/from the U.K.: 12,5000 points in economy, 22,400 in premium, or 47,400 in Upper Class.
- Los Angeles to/from the U.K.: 15,000 points in economy, 27,400 in premium, or 67,400 in Upper Class.
- South Africa to/from the U.K.: 12,400 points in economy, 25,000 in premium, or 57,400 in Upper Class.
- India to/from the U.K.: 10,000 points in economy, 17,400 in premium, or 37,400 in Upper Class.
Prices are roughly 20% higher if you travel on peak dates. Many of these prices represent a 50% discount on award bookings.
Final Thoughts
The value of a companion pass or fare varies greatly depending on the airline. Southwest Airlines and its Companion Pass take the top spot as being one of the most valuable frequent flyer perks available. Signing up for a Southwest co-branded credit card is the fastest and easiest way to get one.
Of the companion fares, the Delta Air Lines Companion Certificate is among the best values, given how much you can save on a single trip. However, the British Airways Travel Together Ticket and Virgin Atlantic Companion Seat offer deals on award travel in premium cabins, something not offered with other companion tickets.
What's your favorite companion fare? How do you get the most value from your companion tickets each year?
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (Rates & Fees), British Airways Visa Signature® Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
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