Check your inbox: Delta is reissuing companion certificates to certain passengers affected by the IT failure.

In July, a global IT disruption resulted in significant flight delays and cancellations, leaving tens of thousands of travelers stranded. Delta Air Lines passengers were particularly affected, with over 5,000 flights canceled during this outage.

During this period, many passengers expressed dissatisfaction with Delta's efforts to provide necessary meals, hotel accommodations, ground transport, and alternative flights, which fell short of the expectations outlined on the U.S. Department of Transportation's Airline Customer Service dashboard and flight refund guidelines.

These issues prompted an investigation by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation Consumer Protections to ensure that affected passengers received the accommodations they were entitled to.

Despite long waits for rebooking or refunds, Delta adhered to DOT regulations, offering affected passengers the choice between using flight credits for future travel or receiving a cash refund for the unused part of their ticket. The airline also provided meal vouchers, hotel stays, and ground transport for those left stranded.

As a consequence of the disruptions, Delta passengers who used a companion certificate during the outage may soon find a welcome email waiting for them.

On Friday, Delta began notifying passengers via email who had redeemed a companion certificate during the outage. The message indicated that a new companion certificate would be issued within seven to 14 business days, valid for one year from the date it is issued, effectively extending the original certificate's expiration date.

When I contacted a Delta customer service representative to confirm the authenticity of the email and companion certificate, I was informed that the email is genuine and that the airline is currently reissuing companion certificates that were used during the outage.

Some readers in the TPG Lounge have mentioned that they, too, have received new companion certificates, even if their flights weren’t significantly impacted, and their expiration dates have also been extended.

Several Delta American Express cards come with an annual companion certificate benefit, including the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.

If you are among those affected, keep an eye out in the coming days for an email from Delta's customer service team containing more details about your reissued companion certificate. Once it arrives, you can find it in your SkyMiles wallet on the Delta website or the Fly Delta App.

Delta has not yet responded to TPG's request for comment.