The other week I shared How To Use Delta’s Companion Certificate For A Free Flight. The companion certificate is a great way to save a lot of money on travel with Delta, but its important to know the fine print. We’ll take you through the fine print of the companion certificate that comes with the Delta Reserve card so you will know all the details for when you consider redeeming your hard earned companion certificate.

Delta Companion Certificate Fine Print

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The companion certificate entitles the owner to save a bunch of money each year by booking one flight and getting the second one for free.

This certificate is received each year with my Delta Reserve Card. As a As a Delta Reserve Credit Card Member, you’ll get a domestic First Class or Economy Class Companion certificate each year upon renewal.

See the post in this link for details on how to redeem a Delta companion certificate.

Delta Companion Certificate Fine Print

Eligibility – Key Points

• Valid for one round-trip First-Class or Economy Class companion ticket with purchase of qualifying ticket within the 48 contiguous United states
• If resident of Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico or USVI, you can use it from there to the 48 contiguous states
• Taxes and fees are not included but in my experience at not that much

Eligible on Delta, Delta Connection carrier and Delta Shuttle flights only (excludes all other Delta-designated codeshare flights). Companion certificate is valid for one round-trip First-Class or Economy Class companion ticket with the purchase of certain adult round-trip fares on published routings within the 48 contiguous United States. Residents of Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico or the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) must originate from there to the 48 contiguous United States and have an address on their SkyMiles account in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico or the USVI.Companion ticket requires payment of applicable government taxes and fees which vary and depend upon the number of flight segments included in the itinerary and range from $22.00 to $68.00 for itineraries with two to four flight segments. Taxes and fees include Federal Excise Tax of $4.00 for each flight segment, Passenger Facility Charge(s) of up to $4.50 for each flight segment, a September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 for each flight segment, a $5 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service user fee for flights from the USVI, and a U.S. International Air Transportation tax of up to $17.40 round-trip (for travel to/from Alaska/Hawaii) or $35.00 round-trip (for travel to/from Puerto Rico/USVI). Taxes and fees are subject to change.Reservations are only available at delta.com.Companion certificate terms and conditions may vary each year of Cardmembership.Additional restrictions apply.

Restrictions – Key Points

• Redeem online at Delta
• First Class available in A and I classes
• Economy Class available in L, U, T fares
• 3 night minimum stay and 30 day maximum stay
• Most fares require 14 day advance notice

Redemption is available only on delta.com. The certificate cannot be combined with another offer or discount including, but not limited to, web fares, sale fares and eCoupons. Both passengers must be booked at the same time, in the same class of service and in the same record. Seats are only available in A and I classes in First Class service, and only available in L, U, T classes in Economy Class service and may not be available on all flights or markets. Most fares require an advance purchase of up to 14 days, a 3 night minimum stay and a 30-day maximum stay. All fare rules, restrictions, advance purchase requirements, and availability are per rule of Primary Ticket fare purchased. Companion tickets are not transferable. Primary Ticket and Companion ticket must be purchased with your Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express. Both passengers must be booked on the same flights and dates, at the same time. Travel for Companion certificate must be booked and completed by the date on the front of certificate. Validity is not based on calendar year. Primary ticket will accrue miles. Companion ticket will not accrue miles. Tickets are not eligible for mileage upgrades, Systemwide Upgrade Certificates, or Medallion Complimentary upgrades. Companion Certificate is void if reproduced, altered, counterfeited, obtained or used improperly, or where prohibited by law. Companion Certificate has no value except when redeemed in accordance with all terms and conditions of this offer. Companion Certificate is for new purchases only and cannot be applied to the cost of prepaid tickets, ticket by mail, miscellaneous charge orders, Airscript or previously issued tickets. Companion Certificate will be deemed fully used once tickets have been issued and will not be returned or replaced. Companion Certificate is the property of Delta Air Lines and must be surrendered or returned upon request. Fares, fees, schedules, offers and rules are subject to change without notice. Terms and conditions of this offer are as written and cannot be altered, modified or waived unless authorized by a corporate officer of Delta Air Lines, Inc.All Delta SkyMiles program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide.

 

Routing/Blackout Dates – Key Points

• No stopovers
• No Open Jaws
• No Circle Trips

Stopovers, open jaws, and circle trips are not permitted. Blackout dates subject to the rules of the primary ticket fare purchased.

 

Co-Terminals – Key Points

• Can use co-terminals in NYC (JFK, LGA, EWR) – see this post for details of a cheap transfer option with the ETS Shuttle between those airports

Permitted if fare rules allow. NYC (JFK, LGA, EWR) may be booked online.For all other co-terminals please call the Online Support Desk as they cannot be booked online with this offer.

 

Taxes/Fees – Key Point

• Taxes are not included, pay attention to them

The fare for Companion tickets includes government taxes and fees ranging from $22.00 to $68.00 for itineraries with two to four flight segments. Taxes and fees include Federal Excise Tax of $4.00 for each flight segment, Passenger Facility Charge(s) of up to $4.50 for each flight segment, a September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 for each flight segment, a $5 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service user fee for flights from the USVI, and a U.S. International Air Transportation tax of up to $17.40 round-trip (for travel to/from Alaska/Hawaii) or $35.00 round-trip (for travel to/from Puerto Rico/USVI).Taxes and fees depend on the itinerary.

Basic Cardmembers (not Additional Cardmembers) with the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, Delta Reserve Credit Card, Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card, Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card, and Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card are eligible to receive the first checked bag fee waiver on Delta and Delta Connection carrier flights. $35 fee for second checked bag. These allowances are subject to size/weight limits. Contact a Delta agent or visit delta.com for details. Taxes and fees are subject to change, are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the primary ticket is purchased and the companion ticket is issued.

 

Cancellations/Ticket Changes/Reissuance – Key Points

• NOTICE: You can lose your companion pass by cancelling a ticket
• Companion tickets will not be reissued
• $200 change fee plus fare difference will apply to change tickets

If the primary ticket or the Companion ticket is cancelled, both tickets will be cancelled and the Companion ticket will not be reissued. Subject to the fare rules of the primary ticket, the value of the primary ticket, less a $200 administrative service charge and any fare difference, may be applied to future travel. Cancellations are subject to the rules of the fare purchased. Neither a new Companion Certificate nor Companion ticket will be issued upon a cancellation.

If the primary ticket and Companion ticket are changed after issuance, subject to the fare rules of the primary ticket, there will be a $200 administrative service charge for each of the primary ticket and the Companion ticket, plus a charge for the fare difference of the primary ticket. Changes are subject to the rules of the fare purchased and are subject to seat availability. After travel has commenced, rerouting is not permitted.

Transferability – Key Points

• Companion certificate is transferrable – I used it for Mrs. Weekly Flyer and Baby Weekly Flyer to take a trip in separate seats

The Companion Certificate is transferable. Primary ticket and Companion ticket are not transferable once issued. Companion Certificate may not be bartered or sold. Companion Certificates or Companion tickets acquired through prohibited sale/barter transactions are void and will not be honored for travel.

Bottom Line

The companion certificate from the Delta Reserve card is a great way to save money by getting a buy-one get-one free flight. Just make sure you pay attention to the taxes (because they are not included) and you are absolutely sure about your flight before you book it.

Looking for More Delta Miles?

See current Credit Card Offers here to earn more miles.

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