More Than 30 Rules, Tips, and Other Tidbits About the Delta Companion Certificate

The Companion Certificate awarded annually to several Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card members can be a great benefit. But a few restrictions, rules, and “Can I…?” questions may make it confusing or difficult to redeem them.

Below are some questions and answers we hope will help!

What is the Companion Certificate?

The companion certificate is a perk some cardholders receive annually — beginning the second year of membership.

You do not receive the companion certificate (or “BOGOF,” as we call it, for “Buy One, Get One Free”) the first year you hold the card.

Put simply, it allows someone to fly a free (plus some tax/fees) on one roundtrip with a paying passenger who applies the companion certificate.

Which Delta Amexes Come with the Companion Certificate Feature?

These cards all have Companion Certificates.

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

When Do I Receive It?

Generally, a few days after your second year’s annual fee is billed.

Can the Companion Certificate Be Used on All Delta Flights?

The Companion Certificate can be redeemed for Delta-marketed or -operated flights to select destinations. This includes Delta Connection but not codeshares.

If your Certificate was issued on or after February 1, 2024, you’re in luck. You can use it to travel to:

• United States
  • Including Alaska and Hawaii
• Antigua
• Aruba
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Bonaire
• Bahamas
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Puerto Rico
• USVI
• Mexico
• Grand Cayman
• Jamaica
• Turks and Caicos
• Saint Kitts
• St. Maarten
• St. Lucia
• Costa Rica
• Guatemala
• Panama
• Honduras
• El Salvador

If it was issued prior to February 1, you’re limited to just the continental United States.

Where Do I Find the Delta Amex Companion Certificate? Is It a Physically Certificate That’s Mailed to Me?

The Companion Certificate is a digital award. There are two ways to locate your Companion Certificate.

Delta’s Website

• Bookmark this page that takes you directly to “Credits and Certificates.” Use that link when logged in to Delta.com SkyMiles account. Done!

The Fly Delta App

On the Fly Delta app, go to “Account.” Then select “Certificates and eCredits.”

Can I Use the Companion Certificate Multiple Times?

No. They are single-use certificates. Once you redeem one, it’s gone for the year.

Can I Have More Than One Companion Certificate at a Time?

Yes! I held all four of the above credit cards and received a Companion Certificate for each. However, you won’t have multiple certificates for an individual card at the same time.

Well, unless something in the below paragraph happens.

Do Delta Amex Companion Certificates Expire?

Yes. And this part is VERY IMPORTANT:

Your trip must be completed by the state expiration date. This is not like other Delta certificates (bump vouchers, etc.) that give you a year during which you can book travel for a date up to another year in advance.

We heard that a couple of years ago that if your Companion Certificate expired, Amex would do you a favor and reissue it for 13 months. We’re not sure if that’s something they still do.

Does the Cardholder Have to Fly on the Companion Certificate Reservation?

Nope.

The cardholder doesn’t even need to know the people flying on the companion certificate. (I did this for my neighbor’s grandsons so they could come home for Christmas after their grandfather died. I never met ‘em and I don’t remember their names.)

The cardholder — or someone with access to the cardholder’s SkyMiles account — must book the ticket.

Is the Certificate Good Only for Non-Stops? Or are connections OK?

Trips with connections are fine. (I’ve done it many times) Delta will show you what trips are available for Companion Certificate travel.

It does not work, however, with multi-city trips or open-jaws.

If There Are Two Seats Open on a Delta Flight, Can I Use the Companion Certificate?

The companion certificates are limited to certain fare classes. The companion cert page (again, accessed via this link) will show you what itineraries are eligible for booking.

The Platinum and Reserve companion certs are eligible for L, U, T, X, and V fares in Main Cabin/coach.

The Reserve’s cert may be used for:

• First Class I and Z fares
• Delta Premium Select travel A and G fares
• Comfort+ W and S fares (but only when L, U, T, X, or V classes of service are available in the Main Cabin)
• Main Cabin L, U, T, X, and V fares

Inventory may not always be available for flights you want. That’s pretty much my only gripe about the companion certificate.

I was told that fare classes must be the same one way if you have a connection.

For example, I often use my Companion Certificates so my wife and daughter can fly from Los Angeles (LAX) to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Fargo (FAR) for our family trips once or twice a year.

The LAX to MSP flight and then our MSP to FAR connection both have to be, say, an “L” fare. But the returns would need to be the same fare class, but not necessarily an “L.” In this example, FAR to MSP and then MSP to LAX could be a “U.”

If you have a Delta Reserve Amex or Delta Reserve Business Amex Companion Certificate, you can mix and match cabins. In other words, you can fly First Class one way and then return in Main Cabin (if necessary.)

Are There Any Other Trip Requirements?

Most companion certificate fares require:

• advance purchase of up to 14 days
• three-night minimum stay
• 30-day maximum stay

How Do I Redeem the Companion Certificate?

Go to the Credits and Certificates page you bookmarked. Click the checkbox next to where the cert says “OPEN.” And continue from there.

So, I Can’t Call Delta and Have a Phone Agent Book a Companion Certificate Flight for Me?

Technically, no.

I’ve been told you can’t. René said it’s worked just fine. I’ve also spoken to a few Delta agents who are happy to help book Companion Certificate reservations. And there is a phone number dedicated to Companion Certificate reservations help. (We’ll get to that in a second.)

Given that Delta IT is, you know, Delta IT, you might not see all the available fare classes available for companion certificates. You may want to conduct your own search separately from the Credits and Certificates page, find a qualifying itinerary, and then call Delta to see if they can help book it.

What is the Companion Certificate Desk Phone Number?

855-551-2113. Give that number a call if you need help with Companion Certificate reservations.

Does the Companion Pay Any Fees?

Yes. Taxes, surcharges, and other miscellaneous charges are not waived. The limit is $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for trips with up to four flight segments), and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights to eligible destinations (up to four flight segments).

Personally, I’ve never come close to paying that much.

Do I Have to Pay with a Delta Amex?

The Companion Cert’s terms & conditions say “Primary Ticket and Companion ticket must be purchased with your (Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express.)”

No.

The only card type you must use is an American Express card.

Delta Amex cards reward you only two or three SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta (depending on which Delta Amex you hold).

You can do way better than that — if your main goal is earning points.

Pay with any darn Amex card you want. Personally, I use The Platinum Card® from American Express because I earn 5X American Express® Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year).

However, both Delta Reserve Amexes award cardholders $1 MQD for every $10 in eligible purchases. The Delta Platinum Amexes award $1 for every $20 in eligible purchases. So, if earning status through credit card spending is one of your priorities, then you might want to use your Delta Amex.

Can I Use Delta eCredits to Pay for the Primary Traveler’s Fare?

Yes! But they need to be in the primary traveler’s name.

Can I Pay with SkyMiles?

Nope. The primary fare has to be paid for with real money. Here’s one instance where Delta doesn’t want you using SkyMiles as currency.

Unfortunately, it’s not like Southwest’s companion pass which can be used with award tickets.

Can I Redeem the Companion Certificate for Flights Involving Co-Terminals?

You should be able to use the Delta Amex Companion Certificate for trips involving co-terminals. For example, depart from New York’s Kennedy Airport (JFK) and return to LaGuardia (LGA). In another sample trip, you’d travel to Hollywood-Burbank (BUR) and depart from Los Angeles (LAX).

How Many People Can Be on My Companion Certificate Reservation?

Just two: the paying passenger and the complimentary companion.

However, you can certainly book travel for others (friends, family, etc) taking the same flights as you. Just be sure to link everyone’s reservations.

You can do this two ways: call Delta reservations or use Delta’s chat/message function.

They will need:

• The trips’ confirmation numbers
• SkyMiles numers (if applicable)
• Travelers’ names
• Travel dates
• Departure and destination cities

Can I Use Multiple Companion Certificates for a Group of Four People on a Trip?

I’ve done it multiple times — but booked separately and on multiple reservations. (Keep in mind the fare price may go up after the first booking. Or an eligible fare may not even be available.)

For example, my mother-in-law and I use a companion certificate to book flight 1234. We’re issued confirmation number ABC123.

My wife and daughter will use another companion certificate to book the same flight; they’ll be on confirmation CBA321.

Then we link the reservations using the above method.

Can I Get Upgraded?

If the primary/purchasing passenger is a Delta Medallion, yes. Upgrades clear according to status level and the usual rules.

However, the companion must be at least a SkyMiles member or partner airline elite member. Otherwise, the twosome will not be eligible for upgrades.

If I’m a Platinum or Diamond, Can I Apply Upgrade Certificates?

Yes.

You can apply both Regional Upgrade and Global Upgrade Certificates (for Delta One) to your Companion Certificate booking.

Where in a Delta Airplane Can I Sit Using a Companion Certificate?

The standard, cash fare seating rules apply to companion certificate bookings.

If you’re a general SkyMiles member, you can reserve any available non-preferred Main Cabin seat.

Silvers and Golds can get any available Main Cabin preferred seat (i.e. exit rows).

Platinums and Golds can get any available Main Cabin seat (including preferred) and then upgrade (almost instantly) to C+ if they wish.

Can I Earn SkyMiles?

The person flying as the paying passenger will earn:

• Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD)
• SkyMiles/redeemable miles (according to their status tier).

The companion doesn’t earn anything — but is flying for almost free. They’re fine.

Can I Change a Companion Certificate Reservation?

Yes, but you’re subject to any fare differences. Remember to track your fares using Google Flights — you might be able to earn back some flight credit!

You’ll also have to call Delta directly to have them change the reservation for you.

What If I Have to Cancel My Trip? Do I Get the BOGOF Credit Back to My Account?

You’re not supposed to. That said, we’ve heard that if you cancel a ticket booking using a Companion Certificate, you might be able to call Delta and have it reopened or reissued.

Even if I Cancel Within 24 Hours of Booking?

You should be able to get it back. But I suggest you call Delta directly.

Bad News! My Companion Got Sick and Can’t Go. Can I Still Use the Ticket Even Though I’m the Primary/Paying Passenger?

Technically, no. The terms basically say if one person has to cancel, the trip’s off. And, of course, you lose the Companion Cert until your next one is issued.

However, we’ve heard of people calling Delta and asking them to split the reservation into separate confirmation numbers. Tell them the situation and very politely ask if they’ll help. Documentation (doctor’s notes, etc.) may help.

Don’t Put Yourself In that Situation

Emergencies pop up from time to time. Stuff happens, as the saying goes.

But don’t put yourself in a situation where you may have to cancel a trip, especially like this one.

Please listen to my advice on this: I speak from experience and cannot stress this enough: do not apply a Companion Certificate to travel involving a friend, family member, associate, or colleague who:

• has an erratic schedule
• is flaky and unreliable
• isn’t in good health

No joke: we’ve expressly forbidden a certain person in my close travel group from ever again being on a Companion Certificate itinerary.

Will I Lose My Companion Certificate if I Cancel My Delta Amex Card?

Amex will say yes and tell you not to cancel your card.

You won’t.

Once it’s in your account, it’s yours.

Can I Sell My Companion Certificate?

I wouldn’t do that. You run the risk of Delta canceling your Companion Certificate and SkyMiles account altogether.

What Else Should I Know?

As a parent, I love the Companion Certificate. As long as one of the tickets is priced at $351 (for the Delta Platinum Amex companion cert), we come out ahead of the annual fee. (See Rates and Fees.)

For the Reserve card’s Companion Cert, being able to buy first class can come in quite handy. If your schedule is fairly inflexible but there’s no Main Cabin Companion Cert inventory, two higher-priced coach seats may cost about the same as using the BOGOF for a First Class seat and a free companion seat. Plus, the primary earns MQD, which are important if they’re chasing status.

Use your certificates and have fun!

You can read the rest of the Companion Certificates rules and regulations here.

This is a Lot of Information! Does Anyone Help with Booking Delta Amex Companion Certificates?

Absolutely.

Our good friend Adam and his team at point.me are experienced with booking Delta Amex BOGOF trips and happy to help you!

Questions? Data Points?

Anything you’re still wondering? Anyone have data points to contribute?

Please share in the Comments section below!

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Business Platinum American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link.