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Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. SHARE: Image Source/Getty Images March 11, 2021 Joey Robinson is a credit cards contributor for Bankrate and upon graduating with a Bachelor’s degree concentrated in Finance, Joey worked at “Big Four” (Ernst and Young) accounting firm before exploring the world of credit cards. Over the past two years, he’s shared his expertise and has brought understanding to complex topics as a writer and editor for sites like Bankrate, CreditCards.com and NextAdvisor. His advice on avoiding common credit card fees, top balance transfer tactics and more financial tips have been featured on MSN Money and other various news publications. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
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The list includes: Southwest Airlines companion pass
Southwest’s Companion Pass is quite possibly the most popular on the market. For just taxes and fees (roughly $5 per one-way ticket), you can bring a companion with you on any trip for up to two calendar years after earning companion pass status. To clarify, once you earn the pass, Southwest will let you bring a friend along until the end of the year, plus a full calendar year after. The best part? There’s no limit on the number of times you can use the pass. How to earn the Companion Pass
There are two ways to qualify for the Completing 100 individual Southwest flights within a year Earning 125,000 points through Points earned through Rapid Rewards will count toward your travel plus-one, but any points that are purchased, transferred or converted from another loyalty program will not apply. Whichever path you choose to get the Southwest Companion Pass, here are the cards that can help get you there: Credit Card Credit Card Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card What you should know
The value of your Companion Pass will not change once you’ve earned status, but you will want to plan ahead to make sure you take full advantage of the benefit. By timing up your Companion Pass status, you can have up to two full years of nearly-free companion travel. How to redeem
Once you’ve reached one of the companion pass milestones, . You should see an option to add a companion to your flight for no additional ticket charge. American Airlines companion certificate
Depending on what you carry in your wallet, give you two companion certificate options. The allows you to bring along a guest on one round-trip main cabin ticket for $99 (plus taxes and fees) after you spend $30,000 or more in a year and renew your card. For the same price per ticket, you’ll be able to take advantage of this offer for two guests if you carry the AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard and spend at least $20,000 annually. How to earn the companion certificate
Earning a companion certificate with American Airlines is simple. When you spend $30,000 over the course of a year with one of the cards mentioned above, renewing your membership will get you rewarded. What you should know
The certificate expires after a year and is only valid for flights within the continental United States. How to redeem
When you reach the qualifications, American Airlines will send you a companion certificate with specific booking details. British Airways Travel Together
British Airways offers its own version of companion passes with Travel Together Tickets. With the ticket, you’ll receive a second seat (of equal value) to bring a friend along—paying only taxes, fees and carrier charges. The offer is reserved for British Airways reward flights that originate in and return to the United States. How to earn the Travel Together Ticket
Using a , you’ll need to spend $30,000 over a calendar year to qualify for the offer. What you should know
After qualifying for the ticket, it is good for two full years. Be aware that taxes, fees and carrier charges on international flights can often exceed $1,000, so the Travel Together offer certainly varies in value. How to redeem
To use a Travel Together Ticket, log into your British Airways account and select to take advantage of the offer when booking an applicable flight. Delta Air Lines companion certificate
Through , you can earn a companion certificate allowing you to bring along a travel buddy on eligible round trip flights. The offer is good for domestic flights and your companion’s ticket is covered, with taxes and fees capped at $75. How to earn the companion certificate
Delta will reward cardholders with a companion certificate each year of membership upon the renewal of the card. There are currently four eligible cards: (main cabin only) (main cabin only) (first-class eligible) (first-class eligible) What you should know
You won’t receive a certificate until you renew your card membership, so it’ll take waiting until your second year to reap the benefit. Once you’ve been awarded the certificate, you have until your next renewal date to take advantage. How to redeem
The certificate will be uploaded to your SkyMiles account after you qualify. From there, it’s as simple as logging into your account and check your Wallet to redeem. Hawaiian Airlines companion discount
With Hawaiian Airlines, cardholders will earn an annual $100 discount. You also have the potential to receive a one-time 50 percent off companion ticket when signing up. How to earn the companion discount
Depending on your card, you may be given your one-time discount as a gift when becoming a Hawaiian Airlines cardholder: (one-time 50 percent off ticket and $100 yearly companion discount) Hawaiian Airlines Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard (one-time 50 percent off ticket and $100 yearly companion discount) Hawaiian Airlines Business Mastercard ($100 yearly companion discount) What you should know
The one-time 50 percent discount is eligible for 13 months after opening your account and annual $100 discounts are good for 12 months after each anniversary. Unfortunately, the 50 percent off doesn’t apply to taxes or fees. How to redeem
On your Hawaiian Airlines account, find your Mastercard companion discount and book your travel. Alaska Airlines Famous Companion Fare
When you sign up for the and spend $2,000 in your first 90 days, you’ll earn 40,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22). How to earn the companion fare
New cardholders who meet the requirements above will be rewarded their bonus miles, but with the , you’ll still receive the companion discount when meeting the 90-day threshold. Both card memberships come with an additional companion fare each year. What you should know
Alaska Airlines’ companion offer includes Virgin America flights, covering most of the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada. Companion fares are eligible for one-time use until your next account anniversary. How to redeem
You’ll have to book through Alaska Airlines when using your companion fare. After logging into your account, head to “My Account”, where you’ll find options to shop with your applied discount. Lufthansa companion ticket
Lufthansa rewards holders with ways to earn an economy class ticket for a guest. You’ll still have to pay taxes and fees, but you’ll be gifted a fully covered ticket each year you hold your card membership. How to earn the companion ticket
When you sign up for the card, you’ll be gifted your initial companion ticket after you complete your first purchase. Afterward, you’ll receive an additional companion ticket on each account anniversary if you hold your membership. What you should know
Lufthansa’s companion offers are good from the date they’re issued until your next account anniversary. How to redeem
To reserve a seat with a companion ticket, you’ll have to call the Miles & More Companion Ticket Service at 866-461-5399. The bottom line
While each airline offers ways to save when traveling with friends or family, some require serious planning to take full advantage. Thanks to its unlimited use and attainable goals, we see the Southwest Companion Pass as the top option when it comes to flying with friends. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a once-in-a-while traveler, your pocket will feel a little heavier when you’re able to bring company along at a fraction of the cost. The information on the AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard, British Airways Visa Signature Card, Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, Hawaiian Airlines Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard and Miles & More World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. SHARE: Joey Robinson is a credit cards contributor for Bankrate and upon graduating with a Bachelor’s degree concentrated in Finance, Joey worked at “Big Four” (Ernst and Young) accounting firm before exploring the world of credit cards. Over the past two years, he’s shared his expertise and has brought understanding to complex topics as a writer and editor for sites like Bankrate, CreditCards.com and NextAdvisor. His advice on avoiding common credit card fees, top balance transfer tactics and more financial tips have been featured on MSN Money and other various news publications. Related Articles