Companion Certificate Explained
What companion certificates are, the restrictions that usually apply, and how to value them without inventing card-specific offer amounts.
- A companion certificate (companion pass) allows a second traveler to fly with you on a ticket for $0 base fare plus mandatory government taxes and fees.
- The Southwest Companion Pass is the gold standard, permitting unlimited companion flights on both cash tickets and award bookings for up to nearly two years.
- Airline co-branded credit cards frequently issue annual companion certificates upon account renewal or after meeting annual spend thresholds.
- Review routing and fare class restrictions; many certificates apply only to domestic economy roundtrips and require advance booking.
A companion certificate is an elite travel benefit issued by airlines and co-branded credit cards that permits a designated travel companion to accompany the primary ticket holder on a qualifying flight for zero additional base fare, paying only required government statutory taxes and security fees (typically $5.60 to $22 roundtrip domestically).
Major Airline Companion Benefits Compared
| Airline Companion Product | Acquisition Requirement | Usage Frequency | Permitted Fare Classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines Companion Pass | Earn 135,000 qualifying points or 100 flights in a calendar year | Unlimited flights for remaining year + full following year | All fares (Wanna Get Away, Anytime, Business Select) on cash AND points |
| Delta Companion Certificate | Annual renewal perk on Delta Platinum ($350) / Reserve ($650) cards | One roundtrip per cardmember renewal year | Domestic Main Cabin (Platinum) / First Class, Comfort+, Main (Reserve) |
| Alaska Airlines Famous Companion Fare | Annual renewal perk on Alaska Visa after $6,000 annual spend | One roundtrip per year ($99 fare + taxes from $23) | Economy roundtrip on Alaska / Horizon metal |
| British Airways Travel Together Ticket | Spend $30,000 on British Airways Visa in a calendar year | One award roundtrip for 2 passengers for cost of 1 in points | All cabins including Club World Business; surcharges still apply |
The Southwest Two-Year Maximization Timing: The Southwest Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you earn it, plus the entire subsequent calendar year. Earning the pass early in a calendar year (e.g., January or February) by timing card welcome offers grants nearly 24 consecutive months of unlimited 2-for-1 travel.
Essential Restrictions to Watch For
- Government Taxes Apply: The companion ticket is not 100% free; you must pay government security taxes (from $5.60 each way) on the companion’s ticket.
- Both Travelers Must Fly Together: The companion ticket is valid only when flying on the exact same flights and dates as the primary ticket holder.
- Expiration Dates Are Hard: Annual companion certificates expire strictly 12 months from issuance and cannot be extended or reissued.
Companion certificates provide unmatched value for traveling couples and families. Discover how to hit spending milestones in our guide to meeting welcome offers safely, explore family rewards strategy in our family travel rewards guide, and browse airline card options in our airline credit cards guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are companion tickets free?
Usually the companion pays taxes and fees, and sometimes a reduced fare basis. "Free" in marketing rarely means zero cash due.
Can I use it on any airline?
No. Certificates are almost always limited to one airline or a short partner list, with blackout and cabin rules.
Do certificates expire?
Yes. Track the expiration printed on the certificate. Unused certificates are worth zero in fee math.
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Card terms change; confirm current terms with the issuer.