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If you normally travel with a friend or family member, you can score steep discounts with airline companion passes. These passes typically allow the primary holder to bring a companion on a flight for a small fee or just the cost of taxes and fees.
While Southwest's Companion Pass is the most well-known, there are other airlines that offer similar money-saving benefits, and you may be able to get them just by carrying the right airline credit card. But not all companion passes are worth pursuing, as some offer better value than others.
If you’re new to companion passes, this guide will help you navigate the best options. Below, CNBC Select reviews everything you need to know about airline companion passes and which one might be the best fit for you.
Airline companion pass guide
What is an airline companion pass?
A companion pass, sometimes called a companion certificate or companion ticket, is a perk offered by some airlines, allowing a designated companion to travel with the pass holder for a small fee or the cost of taxes and fees. The specific terms and conditions of companion passes vary by airline, but they typically require the pass holder to earn a certain number of qualifying points, to have a specific credit card or to spend a certain amount on a co-branded credit card.
Companion passes can offer significant value to travelers who frequently fly with a companion, as they can save money on airfare and enjoy the convenience of traveling together. That being said, you’ll want to carefully review the terms and conditions of any companion pass to understand the restrictions.
How do airline companion passes work?
Airline companion passes typically work by allowing a designated companion to travel with the pass holder on the same flight. Many airline companion passes are earned through credit cards, while some require you to earn a certain number of points through flying and other activities. Some passes are valid on economy flights only, while others extend to first-class cabins. There are often additional restrictions, such as certain companion passes apply to award flights, others are restricted to paid fares only or to certain routes.
It’s important to understand the rules and conditions of each pass before investing in one. That way, you’re aware of its uses and limitations. That way, you can plan your travels better and get the most value from your pass.
List of airline companion passes
Every airline has different rules for earning and redeeming companion passes. We’ve summarized the top airline companion passes below to help you figure out how each one works and which might be the best for your travel needs.
American Airlines Companion Certificate
You can earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate if you have certain co-branded American Airlines credit cards. You'll need to hit a high spending threshold or have a premium credit card with a larger annual fee. Plus, the certificate can only be used on economy flights within the contiguous 48 U.S. states, and there's a $99 ticketing fee in addition to the usual taxes and fees to redeem the certificate.
These cards offer American Airlines Companion Certificates:
- Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®: You'll earn a Companion Certificate after spending $30,000 or more on your card in a card membership year and renewing your card.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®: Starting with your second card membership year, you'll receive an annual Companion Certificate (after renewing your card).
The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® can help you qualify for AAdvantage® status more easily by turning your business expenses into AAdvantage® miles and Loyalty Points.
- First checked bag free on eligible American Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to four travel companions on the same reservation
- 25% savings on select inflight Wi-Fi and food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when you use your card
- Preferred boarding
- Annual companion certificate has a high spending requirement
- Has an annual fee
Rewards
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations.
- Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile per $1 spent on other purchases.
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
Atmos Companion Fare and Global Companion Awards
Atmos Rewards offers two types of companion awards, depending on which credit card you have. The Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card and Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Card both provide the opportunity to earn a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23). You earn this Companion Fare as part of the welcome bonus and you can earn it again every account anniversary after spending $6,000+ on the card the prior year.
These Companion Fares allow you to bring a guest along on an eligible round-trip or one-way saver or main cabin flight with Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines within North America for $99 plus taxes and fees from $23. To use this benefit, you'll also need to pay for the flights with your eligible Atmos Rewards credit card.
The Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card comes with an annual Global 25K Companion Award that provides a discount of up to 25,000 points for a companion's award flight. You can earn a Global 100K Companion Award every year after spending $60,000+ on your card. These awards are especially useful because you can use them for any Atmos award flight, including flights on partner airlines. Also, the primary cardholder doesn't need to be traveling on the itinerary to redeem the award.
- Annual companion fare
- Lounge membership discount
- Earns valuable miles
- Annual fee
- Limited bonus spending categories
Information about the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Card cards has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
- Annual 25k Global Companion Award
- Fee waivers for partner awards and same-day changes
- Earns valuable miles
- High annual fee
- Lounge passes are limited to two per quarter
Information about the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
British Airways Travel Together Ticket
While British Airways imposes high taxes on award tickets, but the British Airways Visa Signature® Card offers up to $600 in credits every year to help offset these fees. It also has a major perk that can make the card worth having and holding year after year: The British Airways Travel Together Ticket. This ticket is issued if you spend at least $30,000 on the card in a calendar year.
The Travel Together Ticket can be used to book a companion's reward flight in any class of service for just the cost of taxes and fees. Plus, it's valid for reward flights with British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus. If you're traveling alone, you can instead use the Travel Together Ticket to save 50% on an award ticket. This can be especially lucrative on premium cabin British Airways flights, which carry high taxes and fees. The reduced mileage requirement takes the sting out of these taxes since you're redeeming fewer miles.
The Travel Together Ticket is valid for two years from the issue date. This benefit provides significant value to cardholders who frequently travel with a companion and can be a great way to experience the luxury of first class without the high cost.
Delta Air Lines Companion Certificates
The Delta Companion Certificate is offered as a benefit for certain Delta SkyMiles credit cards. This certificate allows the cardholder to add a companion to a qualifying round-trip domestic Delta flight for just taxes and fees. Delta offers two different types of companion certificates across four co-branded credit cards. One is valid on domestic main cabin flights and the other is valid up to Delta First.
You'll get more value from the Companion Certificates that are valid on first-class travel, since these tickets are the most expensive. All you have to do is book a flight for yourself and pay the taxes and fees for your companion. Here's a look at every Delta SkyMiles credit card offering a Companion Certificate upon card renewal:
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card*: Receive a Companion Certificate every year after card renewal. This certificate is valid for a Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card*: Receive a Companion Certificate every year after card renewal. This certificate is valid for a Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card*: Every year after renewing your card, you'll receive a Companion Certificate. This certificate is valid for a Delta Main, Delta Comfort or Delta First round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card*: Every year after renewing your card, you'll receive a Companion Certificate. This certificate is valid for a Delta Main, Delta Comfort or Delta First round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America.
*The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a good fit for anyone who wants Delta elite status and isn't interested in airport lounge access.
- Up to $390 in statement credits annually (Enrollment required)
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- 15% Delta award flight discount (Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.)
- High annual fee
- Delta dynamically prices award flights, which makes it more difficult to redeem miles for higher values
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Resy Credit: Get up to $10 in statement credits each month after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights and save up to $70 per person on a round-trip Delta flight.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee every 4 years, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $350 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card's array of premium benefits make it a perfect fit for the most loyal Delta flyers, including elite status boosts, rideshare credits (enrollment required) and airport lounge access.
- Access to airport lounges, including Amex Centurion lounges
- Up to $560 in annual statement credits (Enrollment may be required)
- 15% discount for eligible Delta award flights (Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.)
- High annual fee
- No bonus spending categories outside of Delta purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you'll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Southwest Companion Pass
The Southwest Companion Pass is perhaps the most well-known and coveted airline companion pass. The pass allows a designated companion to fly for the cost of taxes on any Southwest flight, whether it's a paid or award ticket. To earn the Companion Pass, a customer must earn 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 one-way flights in a calendar year.
The Companion Pass is valid during the calendar it was earned in, plus the entire year after. So if you earn a Companion Pass in February 2024, it will be valid through December 2025. There's no limit to the number of flights you can book with a Companion Pass and you can change companions up to three times per calendar year.
The great thing about the Southwest Companion Pass is how attainable it is. The spending and welcome bonus on the Southwest credit cards count toward the 135,000-qualifying-point requirement. Plus, with a Southwest credit card, you receive 10,000 bonus qualifying points every year, which reduces how many qualifying points you need to earn a Companion Pass to 125,000.
While there are several personal Southwest cards, you can only have one Southwest consumer card at a time. However, if you qualify for business credit cards, it's possible to earn a welcome bonus from both a personal and business Southwest credit card in the same qualification year. This makes earning a Southwest Companion Pass solely from credit card welcome bonuses a realistic possibility.
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For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
Information about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
