4 Delta credit cards offer an annual companion plane ticket — an incredible value if you know how to use it

The Amex Delta Platinum and Reserve cards allow you to bring a companion at a minimal cost, and you get this benefit each year you renew your card.

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• Four Delta credit cards offer a companion certificate each year on your account renewal anniversary
• Delta companion certificates are essentially a buy-one-get-one coupon for domestic flights.
• When you book yourself a round-trip ticket, 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.

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 benefit comes in the form of an annual companion certificate — and four co-branded Amex Delta credit cards offer it:

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card 
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

It's possible to get a lot of value from each of these bonuses — read our post on how to earn and redeem Delta miles for tips.

You'll earn a companion certificate after your first year of holding one of these cards, then receive another one each year that you renew your card membership. Depending on how you use your companion benefit, you could save hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars each year.

You can easily offset your credit card's annual fee if you take full advantage of this certificate each year. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card charges a $650 annual fee.

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. If you and a travel buddy wanted to fly from Atlanta to Seattle in business class, for example you might 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.

This certificate can be particularly beneficial for travelers who are purchasing travel for work on their own dime, then filing for reimbursement later on. 

Delta credit cards offer different companion certificates

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, Caribbean, or Central American travel in Main Cabin ($350 annual fee)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Companion Certificate valid for domestic, Caribbean, or Central American travel in Main Cabin ($350 annual fee)
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Companion Certificate valid for domestic, Caribbean, or Central American travel in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, or First Class ($650 annual fee)
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Companion Certificate valid for domestic, Caribbean, or Central American travel in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, or First Class ($650 annual fee)

As you can see, both Delta Reserve credit cards demand a significantly higher fee because they also offer Delta Sky Club access and Amex Centurion lounge access when you're flying Delta. Reserve card members receive 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year, and can earn unlimited visits each year if they spend $75,000 or more on the card on eligible purchases within the prior calendar year.

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 can only be booked via Delta's certificate redemption page, and have limitations on where you go, what fare class you book, and which carriers you can travel with.

Here's what you should know: 

Companion certificates are limited to the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America

As of February 2024, Delta companion certificates are valid for round-trip flights to all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mexico, Antigua, Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Cuba, Jamaica, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, and El Salvador.

Most companion certificate fares require an advance purchase of up to 14 days, for round-trip travel with a minimum of three days and a maximum of 30 days. 

Travelers are eligible for upgrades, based on the highest level of elite status held between both travelers.

Delta companion certificates only work for Delta-operated flights in select fare classes

Holding a companion certificate doesn't mean you can book any flight within the contiguous U.S. You can only purchase flights on Delta, Delta Connection, and Delta Shuttle flights.

You must also pay attention to the specific "fare class" of each cabin. Fare classes are letters airlines use to categorize each seat on the plane that determine qualities such as price, ticket flexibility, eligibility for upgrades, and more.

The following fare classes are eligible for Delta companion certificate travel:

• Main Cabin (Economy): L, U, T, X, and V fares
• Comfort+: W and S fares, but only when L, U, T, X, and V fares are available in Main Cabin (Delta Reserve cards only)
• Delta Premium Select: A and G fares
• First Class: I and Z fares (Delta Reserve cards only)

The permitted economy fare classes cover 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 class as long as you're booking at least one month in advance.

You must use your eligible Delta credit card to pay for companion certificate travel

When reserving a companion certificate, you must book with your Delta Platinum or Delta Reserve credit card to activate the benefit. You must also book both seats at the same time. However, you can use Delta eCredits toward companion certificate travel, if you have them. 

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 — but only if you can use it, and know how to do so effectively.