Delta's annual companion ticket: A guide to earning it and saving on your travels
Who doesn’t love a buy one, get one offer? You might be surprised that such BOGO opportunities can sometimes apply to airline tickets if you have the right credit cards.
Many of the credit cards we carry are chosen specifically for their airline companion certificates, perfect for cash purchases when seeking the best deals on tickets.
For instance, the range of Delta American Express cards features several options that provide an annual companion certificate upon renewal. Additionally, these cards come with enhanced welcome bonuses, making it an ideal time to explore how they can help you travel more affordably.
Stay informed about special offers and check out our editors’ top credit card recommendations through our daily newsletter.
Which Delta cards provide a companion ticket?
KYLE OLSEN/DinogoHolders of Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve consumer and small-business cards earn an annual Delta companion ticket with each renewal of their card.
Here’s the complete list of cards along with their current welcome bonuses. Terms apply.
| CREDIT CARD | ANNUAL FEE | WELCOME BONUS | NOTABLE PERKS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | $350 (see rates and fees) | Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of cardmembership. | Receive an annual companion certificate each renewal anniversary for Main Cabin, round-trip travel; a statement credit to cover the membership fee for Global Entry (up to $120 starting Oct. 1, 2024, every four years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85, every 4 1/2 years); up to a $120 Resy credit in the U.S. (earn up to $10 each month in statement credits)*; up to a $120 ride-hailing credit with select U.S. providers (earn up to $10 each month in statement credits)*; up to a $150 Delta Stays statement credit; Hertz Five Star status**; 2,500 bonus Medallion Qualification Dollars; and 1 MQD for every $20 spent. |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | $650 (see rates and fees) | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of cardmembership. | Get complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs for you and up to two guests or immediate family members at a rate of $50 per person, per visit when flying Delta. Effective Feb. 1, 2025, you'll receive 15 visits per year. To earn unlimited visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter.
Receive access to the American Express Centurion Lounge when you book your Delta flight with the card; an annual companion certificate each year upon card renewal for round-trip travel in first class, Comfort+, Premium Select or Main Cabin; complimentary upgrades for non-Medallion members; up to a $240 Resy credit in the U.S. (earn up to $20 each month in statement credits)*; up to a $120 ride-hailing credit with select U.S. providers (earn up to $10 each month in statement credits)*; up to a $200 Delta Stays statement credit; Hertz President's Circle status**; 2,500 bonus MQDs; and 1 MQD for every $10 spent. |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card | $350 (see rates and fees) | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership. | Earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent on transit, U.S. shipping purchases and single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $100,000 of combined eligible purchases per year); an annual companion certificate for each renewal anniversary for Main Cabin, round-trip travel; a statement credit to cover the membership fee for Global Entry (up to $120(starting Oct. 1, 2024) every four years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85, every 4 1/2 years); up to a $120 Resy credit in the U.S. (earn up to $10 each month in statement credits)*; up to a $120 ride-hailing credit with select U.S. providers (earn up to $10 each month in statement credits)*; up to a $200 Delta Stays statement credit; 2,500 bonus MQDs; and 1 MQD for every $20 spent. |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | $650 (see rates and fees) | Earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership. | Get complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs for you and up to two guests or immediate family members at a rate of $50 per person, per visit when flying Delta. Effective Feb. 1, 2025, you'll receive 15 visits per year. To earn unlimited visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter.
Earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and U.S. office supply store purchases and all purchases after you spend $150,000 per year on the card; access to the American Express Centurion Lounge when you book your Delta flight with the card; an annual companion certificate each year upon card renewal for round-trip travel in first class, Comfort+, Premium Select or Main Cabin; complimentary upgrades for non-Medallion members; up to a $240 Resy credit in the U.S. (earn up to $20 each month in statement credits)*; up to a $120 ride-hailing credit with select U.S. providers (earn up to $10 each month in statement credits)*; up to a $250 Delta Stays statement credit; Hertz President's Circle status**; 2,500 bonus MQDs; and 1 MQD for every $10 spent. |
*Enrollment is necessary.
**Participation in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is necessary.
Since this companion voucher benefit applies to both consumer and small-business versions of the card, you can earn multiple companion vouchers if you hold several qualifying Delta cards.
It's important to note that these companion tickets are not available in the first year. You need to renew your card (along with paying the annual fee) to access this benefit.
Rules for the Delta companion ticket
ZACH GRIFF/DinogoCompanion tickets are valid only for specific round-trip flights within the contiguous U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as select destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.
To utilize the vouchers in this manner, you must have an eligible address registered with Delta SkyMiles in those regions.
If you hold the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex, the companion ticket applies solely to Main Cabin flights, whereas the Reserve companion ticket can now be used for first class, Premium Select, Comfort+, or Main Cabin.
This annual award is automatically credited to your SkyMiles account in the month you pay your card’s annual fee, and it’s usually valid for one year from the issuance date. The ticket must be booked and the travel completed before the certificate expires. You will still need to cover the taxes and fees on the second ticket, but otherwise, it’s a buy one, get one flight offer.
How to redeem the Delta companion ticket
Using a Delta companion ticket is quite straightforward.
First, log into your Delta SkyMiles account. After selecting "Profile" from the drop-down menu under your name in the upper right corner, you’ll find your companion certificates listed in the "Certificates, eCredits & Vouchers" section.
DELTA.COMFrom there, choose a certificate to apply and continue searching for eligible Delta flights by clicking "Continue" at the bottom of the page.
You can only search for flights for the two travelers utilizing the certificate, so any additional passengers, such as children, will need to be booked separately. You can link their itineraries to yours by calling Delta at 1-800-221-1212.
Cutting costs by hundreds with the Delta companion ticket
KYLE OLSEN/DinogoTo illustrate the true value of the Delta companion ticket, let’s consider a real-world example from a recent trip focused on national parks in Utah.
The round-trip, nonstop flights from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) were priced at around $466 on Delta. While not a fantastic deal, it was during a school break, making affordable options scarce.
The Delta companion certificate proved invaluable when prices soared; while one round-trip ticket cost $466, a second ticket could be secured for just an additional $20 in taxes and fees when using the companion certificate.
Traveling from Houston to Salt Lake City for two passengers at $486 using the companion voucher is a far better deal than a single ticket for $466. With two eligible vouchers available, this translates to about $900 in savings for the trip, thanks to the Delta companion vouchers linked to Amex cards.
If you leverage the Delta companion ticket in a similar way, it can easily exceed the annual fee for maintaining the Delta Platinum Amex in your wallet.
Keep in mind that the primary (paid) ticket on the reservation using the Delta companion ticket will earn SkyMiles, but the companion ticket itself will not. Therefore, both tickets qualify for upgrades in line with the SkyMiles program. If you cancel your itinerary after purchasing your ticket, the companion certificate typically cannot be reused, so ensure your plans are firm before applying your companion certificate.
Final thoughts
Delta's annual companion ticket, offered with cards like the Delta Platinum SkyMiles Card, is a valuable perk that enhances the comfort and affordability of flying Delta, particularly for families. If you aim to save on Delta flights, consider applying for one of Delta's Amex cards to benefit from this and other advantages available to cardholders.
1
2
3
4
5
Evaluation :
5/5