Companion Certificates Not Valid for Delta One Reservations?

It appears Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Companion Certificates can no longer be used for Delta One reservations.

We’ve used Companion Certificates to book Delta One tickets in the past. But that doesn’t seem to be an option anymore.

Here’s what happened when we tried to book a flight the other day.

Delta Amex Companion Certificates

Before we go much deeper, let’s explain that four Delta American Express grant cardholders a Companion Certificate (BOGO) starting the second year of card membership:

Both flavors of Reserve Cards have Companion Certificates valid for First Class, Comfort+, and Main Cabin trips with available fare classes I, Z, W, L, U, T, X, and V. However, Delta says, “For Delta Comfort+ travel, tickets are available in W and S classes of service, but only when L, U, T, X, or V classes of service are available in the Main Cabin.”

Meanwhile, the Platinum cards’ Companion Certificates are good only for Main Cabin trips booked with the L, U, T, X, and V fare classes.

(This post explains more about Companion Certificates.)

Delta Reserve Amex Cards Companion Certificates: No More Delta One?

A couple of years ago (you know, before COVID), my inlaws used a Delta Reserve Amex Companion Certificate to fly roundtrip between LAX and BOS in Delta One. To be clear: this was the full Delta One service that included dedicated check-in at LAX, Delta Sky Club access, and fancier meals and desserts on board the flight.

In other words, it wasn’t a Delta plane with lie-flats operating a non-Delta One service flight.

A couple of days ago, the same inlaws told me they’re going to New York for a wedding this fall. I offered them a Companion Certificate (happy inlaws = happy wife = everyone’s happy). They decided to splurge for Delta One. This will be their first trip in almost two years and they want to treat themselves. Great!

So I logged on to my Delta account, selected a Reserve card’s Companion Certificate, and searched for LAX flights to JFK.

Here’s what I was offered:

Well. That’s interesting. I’ve booked Delta One with my Reserve card Companion Certificates before.

Maybe Delta One is completely sold out for those dates, I thought. But wouldn’t there still be a Delta One column with “Sold Out” denoted in the boxes?

So I tried another search without the Companion Certificate.

Well, whaddya know?

Plenty of Delta One availability with the “I” fare class. And remember that “I” is one of the valid fare classes for the Delta Reserve Amex Companion Certificates. Perfect!

I called the Delta Medallion line to see if a rep could help. While I was on hold, I glanced again at the Companion Certficiate’s terms and conditions. The eligible cabins are, “First Class, Comfort+, and Main Cabin.” Nothing about Delta One — which is a different product than First Class.

Uh-oh.

Then a friendly, helpful agent took my call and started getting the reservation booked.

At least, she thought.

She, too, couldn’t find any Delta One options for those dates — despite several available “I” fares. So she tried a few different dates.

Still no joy in Cert-ville.

Then she read the terms and conditions. She was surprised to see Delta One no longer included as one of the available cabins for Reserve Amex Companion Certificates.

She graciously called another department to see if they could help. Alas, no. That rep, too, said Delta One is not eligible for the Companion Certificate. Only First Class. (My inlaws ended up booking Comfort+. They’re fine.)

So What’s Up?

We’re still awaiting word from Delta as to when this change took place. I’ll update the post when we hear back.

A very reliable source told me American Express foots the bill for the “free” passenger who travels on the Companion Certificate. I don’t know if Amex made the decision or if it was up to Delta (though we can all probably guess…). But that’s interesting because I found available Companion Certificate First Class fares from LAX to JFK (with a connection) that cost more than the Delta One options.

But this change certainly seems to have been made quietly. If an announcement was made, we missed it — as did our readers and other sources who are very helpful and thoughtful in providing information.

It even caught Medallion line rep members by surprise.

Is the Delta Reserve Amex Still Worth It?

This was kind of disappointing because I wanted to help treat my inlaws. But like most issues involving air travel — especially when premium cabins are involved — it’s very much a #FirstWorldProblem.

I still value the Delta Reserve Amex Companion Certificate because, in a pinch, it’s easier to redeem the Platinum card’s Certs. I’ve used it a few times to book First Class when traveling with my wife and young daughter.

Plus, not everyone has easy access to Delta One routes. For example, my parents in Fargo, North Dakota, rarely — if ever — fly Delta One. But they have mainline Delta flights at FAR — and can use their Reserve card Companion Certificates for First Class.

Keep in mind that Delta operates several flights every day with Delta One-equipped seats. You can use the Reserve’s Companion Certificate to buy those flights. The only thing missing is the Delta One service. (The Delta One wine and food are better, IMHO. But it’s not like Delta One gives you a dedicated butler or something. In fact, I’ve had better service in domestic First than on some international Delta One flights.)

So if you can rough it out in domestic first — maybe even a lie-flat — it’s still a great value to be had.

Final Approach

At a time when airlines and credit card companies need consumers to use their products, pulling benefits doesn’t seem like the best idea. But there’s still plenty of value for the Delta Reserve Amex Companion Certificates.

What do you think?

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