Summary
This tool is one of the best ways to score a free flight. Here’s how to use it effectively.
If you’re a frequent flier, or if you live in a Southwest Airlines hub, you’ve probably heard the term “companion pass” thrown around a few times. Ultimately, a companion pass is exactly what it sounds like: a certificate that allows you to bring a friend on a flight for (mostly) free. Of course, there’s fine print involved that severely limits the power of a companion pass, so free long-haul business-class tickets are rare. However, you can indeed get a free or heavily discounted plane ticket with a companion pass, usually in economy.
In a nutshell, companion passes are two-for-one deals, though their use is often restricted by fare class and route, and you’ll still have to pay taxes and fees. You must also be on the same reservation as your companion.
The most well-known companion pass is the Southwest Companion Pass, because it’s the only one that’s reusable for a minimum period of a year. The rest of the companion passes are one-time-use annual perks for airline co-branded credit cards; their redemption value can often cover the card’s annual fee.
Here’s everything you need to know about the major airline companion passes.
Southwest Companion Pass
The Southwest Companion Pass is the airline’s top-tier status reserved for frequent fliers. Once earned, the traveler can designate one person who can tag along with them on every flight for free, although they are still charged taxes and fees, which start at $5.60. To earn the pass, you must fly 100 flights on Southwest or earn 35,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year. Whenever you cross this threshold, you’ll earn Companion Pass status for the remainder of the calendar year and the following year.
Rapid Rewards points can be earned on Southwest airfare, partner bookings for hotels and rental cars, using a Rapid Rewards co-branded credit card, shopping through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal, and dining at qualifying restaurants. It’s important to note that Rapid Rewards credit card sign-up bonuses count toward status, so that’s one way to jumpstart your journey toward the Southwest Companion Pass.
Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare
This isn’t a true companion pass; rather, it is a companion discount. Travelers with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card or the Alaska Airlines Visa Business Credit Card receive a one-time code on each card anniversary that allows them to buy a round-trip economy ticket for a travel companion for $99 plus taxes and fees. Existing cardholders don’t have a spending requirement to earn the companion fare, but new cardholders will have to spend at least $6,000 a year to earn it.
American Airlines Companion Certificate
Similar to Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare, American Airlines’ Companion Certificate is also a companion discount. Travelers who hold certain credit cards are eligible for the certificate after spending $20,000 or $30,000 in a calendar year, depending on the card: AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard; AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard; AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard; or the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard. The certificate can be redeemed for $99 plus taxes and fees on one round-trip economy-class ticket in the continental U.S. On the other hand, residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands can use it on a round-trip flight from their home airport to a destination in the continental U.S.
British Airways Travel Together Ticket
A true companion pass, this ticket can be earned by British Airways Visa Signature Credit Card holders who spend $30,000 in a calendar year. This ticket is valid in all classes—even business class— on round-trip flights originating in the United States. Just like all companion passes, you must pay taxes and fees, along with carrier charges. British Airways’ fine print indicates how expensive that can be: “For a peak return flight from Los Angeles to London, these can amount to $651.33 in economy (World Traveller) and $1,984.57 in business (Club World).” Nevertheless, you still receive a substantial discount, considering a standard plane ticket would also incur those charges.
Delta Companion Certificate
Four credit cards issue Delta companion certificates on each card anniversary: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express and Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express, along with their business counterparts. The Platinum companion certificate can be used on one round-trip journey within the continental U.S. in economy. In contrast, the Reserve companion certificate is also available for Comfort+ and first class. Although you still have to pay taxes and fees, Delta caps the total amount to $75. However, availability can be limited as the companion certificates may only be used in certain fare classes.
Hawaiian Airlines Companion Discount
Holders of the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard or the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard are granted a one-time 50-percent-off companion discount code for a round-trip economy flight between Hawaii and North America during their first year of card membership. On each card anniversary thereafter, cardholders receive $100 off one companion flight per year between Hawaii and the continental U.S. in economy.
Lufthansa Companion Ticket
After making a single purchase with their card in the first year, Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard cardholders receive an economy-class companion pass for a round-trip flight from the U.S. to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, or Asia on Lufthansa. It can only be utilized in certain fare classes, and travelers are still responsible for paying taxes and fees. Subsequently, on each card anniversary, cardholders receive another companion ticket.
