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Companion Fare FAQ - Bank of America Mileage Plan Visa

Old May 14, 2013, 10:30 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: ashill
Based on an original post by flyer206

I summarized a few posts on the companion fare. I initially had some questions and went through some of the posts as well as asked Missydarlin. So I thought I would post it for future people. If there is something incorrect or perhaps is useful for the next person please add or let me know.

Extending a companion fare
Tickets must be booked by the expiry date but can be for travel up to 330 days in advance. So book 2 full-fare tickets (coach fare only with new certificates issued after Aug. 1, 2012) for travel 11 months in advance to any destination on AS. When you have decided when and where you want to go, call AS to change the tickets. Since the tickets are full-fare or first class the changes will be no charge. The tickets can be changed to a lower level ticket including hot fare and the destination can be changed as well. If the tickets are cheaper then the amount will be refunded to the same credit card.
However, the ticket can not be extended for another 330 days. Meaning, you can not keep on extending the companion certificate. Hence travel must be completed within the initial 330 day window of when you booked your initial ticket.
The business companion fare however is different. Travel must be completed by expiry date although it is said that they may let it slide for 30 days.
Business companion fare expiration question

One of the travelers can not go
If the revenue passenger can not go then the companion passenger can not go. The T&C of the companion fare is that the companion must travel with the revenue passenger. Changes can be made by calling AS but change fees apply. Changes can now be done on-line. If the companion passenger can not go, the revenue passenger can still go. If you want to use the companion certificate another time, a call has to be made to AS.
Name changes are allowed but must be called in for change and is subject to change fee($125 --exempt if the name change involves a passenger who has status).

Should status flyer be the revenue or companion ticket.
Since the companion ticket is dependent on the revenue ticket, the status flyer should be the companion fare unless the tickets are in full fare or first class. Why? If the companion traveler can not fly the companion coupon can be saved for future use. The status passenger is allowed to make changes at no charge. THERE IS DEBATE ABOUT THIS ANSWER
 
Do I have to be one of the passengers flying?
No, the T&C states that you must either be one of the passengers or the credit card booking the tickets be in your name. One poster mentioned that he did not travel or use his credit card when he let his father use it. However it that case I believe they shared the same last name.
 
Do you have to use the AS airline credit card when booking the companion fare?
Through September 30, 2019, no. "For companion fares issued on or after October 1, 2019, both the primary fare and the companion fare must be purchased using your Alaska Airlines credit card." Exceptions: Fare can also be paid with your Wallet funds or AS Gift cards.
 
Does the companion fare accrue points.
YES, both tickets accrue points on any frequent flyer plan that gives out points on AS flights ie AS, AA, DL, CX, BA etc

Is the companion fare upgradeable?
YES, depending on first class upgrade (U) inventory and by priority based on the status of the traveler. There has to be 2 upgradeable seats available. If using paper certificates there has to be 2 certificates. Both travelers must upgrade or none at all. At T-24, you will be added to the flight upgrade list upon checkin per normal procedure and upgrades will process in the usual order of priority.
companion fare and upgrade question

When will I get my Companion certificate? 
As soon as you get approved for the credit card the certificate will appear in your Alaska airline online account. As of June 2016, the initial companion fare will post shortly after the statement where you reach the minimum spend (currently $1000) closes. Another will appear around the 1 year anniversary of your credit card. JULY 2020 UPDATE: spend is now $2,000 within 90 days.

Cancelling a companion fare
Rebook=kept in system however change fees may apply based on fare purchased.
Refund=gone

What class of fares can be booked?
All fares can be booked from "hot fares" to "first class" but only on Alaska/Horizon operated flights. It is not eligible for AA, DL etc operated flights. (coach fare only with new certificates issued after Aug. 1, 2012). You cannot purchase F but you can upgrade to F after purchase or try your luck at free upgrades if you have status.

Can the companion fare be used on a one-way, round trip, open jaw, OR multi-city?
Any of the above. Also, if you purchase RT, you can subsequently call to change to a one-way ticket and potentially get a credit for the fare that applies to the cancelled segments.

I don't want to change my travel now, is there a way to cancel & reissue the code?

It's not technically "reissued." It's basically encased in amber for reuse.

If you change more than 60 days from the date of travel, AND the companion has no status (sorry, spouse), you can reuse the companion cert by calling in, having the reservation split, and then re-deposting the primary traveler's airfare into My Wallet and keeping a record of the companion traveler's ticket number separately.

Then, to reuse the companion cert for the same companion on a different itinerary, you need to phone in and make the primary traveler's reservation, and pay with a credit card for the primary traveler's ticket. No My Wallet funds can be used. Then the companion's cert and fees are reattached and any difference in fees and taxes are collected/refunded.

If the primary traveler decides that he/she does not want to reuse the companion cert after canceling the original reservation (as long as it's done before the value of the companion cert/fees/taxes expires), the value of the fees/taxes of the companion cert can be redeposited into the primary traveler's My Wallet. But the cert itself is forfeited.
(from Seattlenerd. Thank you!)

What are the Terms and Conditions as issued by Alaska Air
Discount: Valid for one $99 USD Companion Ticket when traveling with another passenger on a paid airfare. Both passengers must be booked in the same itinerary, at the same fare, traveling together, and ticketed at the same time. Valid for round-trip or one-way travel. Valid on published fares. Not applicable to Mileage Plan Award Reservations, Alaska Airlines Vacation packages, tour or contract fares.

Reservations & Ticketing: Valid for new ticket purchases through alaskaair.com, Alaska Airlines Reservations, or Horizon Air Reservations. The Companion Ticket Discount Code is redeemed at time of ticketing and is void for future changes or purchases. Traveler and/or Purchaser name must match the name issued on the Discount Code. Credit card required for purchase.

Passengers: Valid for one $99 USD Companion Ticket when traveling with a second passenger on a paid fare, traveling together, and booked and ticketed at the same time in the same reservation.

Routes: Valid systemwide on flights operated by Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air.

Advance Purchase: Per applicable fare rule.

Purchase By: Expiration date on Discount Code.

Blackout Dates: Per applicable fare rule.

Minimum & Maximum Stay: Per applicable fare rules.

Flights: Valid only on flights operated by Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air and on PenAir between Anchorage and Dutch Harbor. Not valid on codeshare flights.

Taxes, Fees and Surcharges: Passenger is responsible for all applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges, including checked baggage fees.

Combinability: Not valid with any other discounts, including Discount Codes, coupons, discount programs, MyAccount online discount, or other arrangements.

Changes and Refunds: Changes and refunds are allowed per the applicable fare rule and may result in the forfeiture of the Discount Code.

Mileage Plan: Mileage Plan credit applies and upgrades are allowed.

Transferability: Discount Codes and tickets are not transferable. They may not be given to another individual, and may not be sold, bought, bartered, auctioned or collected in bulk. Any deemed by Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air to have been distributed or acquired improperly will not be honored and traveler will be liable for payment of full fare.

Additional Terms: All rules of Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, alaskaair.com, and the applicable fare rules not mentioned within these terms and conditions apply.

Other: Lost or stolen Discount Codes or tickets cannot be replaced. Alaska/Horizon has the final authority regarding redemption. Travel is subject to Alaska and Horizon contract of carriage. Terms and conditions as written herein are final and cannot be changed by any statement or representation of any unauthorized person, including employees of Alaska/Horizon or issuing organization. Other restrictions may apply and Alaska/Horizon reserves the right to suspend or change this offer without notice.




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Companion Fare FAQ - Bank of America Mileage Plan Visa

Old Jun 2, 2012, 8:32 pm
  #136  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 2,202
Originally Posted by koopas
Based on the above response, I'm assuming that if I was a MVP gold and purchased one of those instantly-upgradable fares, my BofA companion certificate holder (with no AS status) would be upgraded as well at time of booking, provided there are 2 "U" seats available? Is this correct?

Thanks,
Koopas
That is correct ^
alphaeagle is offline  
Old Jun 6, 2012, 4:36 pm
  #137  
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,478
Gremlin in the program?

I've already reported this to web support but thought I'd post it here in case anyone gets confused as I did for a bit:

I was using a companion cert to check fares from SEA to HNL for 12/3 outbound and 12/8 return. Without the cert code the outbound fare for flight 851 on 12/3 was $663.20 for F and $293.20 for Best Deal. Then with the companion cert code the fare box showed $732.05 + $68.85 for F and $293.20 + 68.85 for Best Deal. In other words, the F fare with the companion cert code showed a fare that already included the companion cert (i.e. 663.20 + 68.85 = 732.05) and then also showed the +$68.85 separately. The Best Deal fare didn't do that. It showed the regular fare of $293.20 with the +$68.85 for the ompanion directly beneath.

When you select the flights and go forward the system appears to come up with the correct fare, not charging twice for the companion cert in F. But if you just look at the Available Flights screen matrix it isn't clear that fares aren't being displayed consistently when you have the companion cert code entered. By the way, the Full Flex fare did the same thing that the Best Deal fare did.

I haven't seen this before so I assume it isn't intentional.
Westcoaster is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2012, 12:28 pm
  #138  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 37
miles and a companion pass?

Can you book the revenue ticket using miles, and still use the companion pass?

Thanks,
JoAnne
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Old Jun 28, 2012, 12:35 pm
  #139  
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Originally Posted by joannelj
Can you book the revenue ticket using miles, and still use the companion pass?

Thanks,
JoAnne
No cash only.
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Old Jul 8, 2012, 7:36 pm
  #140  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 248
Open jaw with companion pass?

Hi everyone,
I am considering signing up for the Alaska Signature card to take advantage of the companion pass. I read the new cut backs and changes, but I think it may still save some money going to Hawaii. We don't fly first class, so losing that perk didn't hurt us too badly.

A few questions:

1. I'd like to go from LAX to Honolulu on Alaska. Then, I would buy a separate, inter Island flight to hop over to Kauai. I would then want to use the other half of the companion pass to fly home from Kauai to LAX. Can you do two different legs like this with the companion pass?

2. I know if I'm redeeming miles, I'm stuck to whatever is available for award tickets. Are there any limits like this if I'm using a companion pass? In other words, when I try and book tickets using a companion pass will I get stuck with 3 stopovers and an overnight flight to Hawaii?

Thanks for your help!
ashley1245 is offline  
Old Jul 8, 2012, 7:57 pm
  #141  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: PRG/ Ester, AK
Programs: AS MVPG75k
Posts: 451
Originally Posted by ashley1245
1. I'd like to go from LAX to Honolulu on Alaska. Then, I would buy a separate, inter Island flight to hop over to Kauai. I would then want to use the other half of the companion pass to fly home from Kauai to LAX. Can you do two different legs like this with the companion pass?
Yep, and then some! Open jaws are fine. Use the multi-city search feature to book an open jaw like what you've described, or even more if you like. You will have to connect to get to the islands from LA, and you are limited to AS/QX/OO operated flights with the companion code- so you can't book a DL operated LAX-HNL flight.


Originally Posted by ashley1245
2. I know if I'm redeeming miles, I'm stuck to whatever is available for award tickets. Are there any limits like this if I'm using a companion pass? In other words, when I try and book tickets using a companion pass will I get stuck with 3 stopovers and an overnight flight to Hawaii?
The only limitation is that flights must be operated by AS/QX/OO. You should be able to book any flights and fares with two seats available for sale. You browse them by price/schedule as when shopping for a single seat. Desired routings/flights could, of course, be more expensive, but you'll only pay for one passenger
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Old Jul 13, 2012, 2:20 am
  #142  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 6
Can I use cert and then U/G with miles

Can I purchase an upgradable fare, use a cert and then U/G both with miles to F?

Thanks
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Old Jul 13, 2012, 12:22 pm
  #143  
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Originally Posted by beeman
Can I purchase an upgradable fare, use a cert and then U/G both with miles to F?

Thanks
Assuming U space it would be 15K per person per direction to upgrade your Value or higher ticket.
beckoa is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2012, 4:41 pm
  #144  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: UA,CO,VA,AMEX
Posts: 11
Could use help with booking-not much time left!

Hello,

My wife and I need to fly one-way from Nome Alaska to SFO. I have found the below itinerary. There are only 4 FC seats left on each of the first two flights.

I am thinking that I could apply for the AA credit card to use the companion vouched which would save me 1/2 of $1963 + $110 which net saves $770. The problem is that I don't want to lose the seats while awaiting the outcome of the CC application.

If approval is immediate I still have two problems: 1) I am on a cruise ship and will not be home to receive and activate the AA Credit Card; 2) how would I access the Promo code?

My reading tells me that I don't need to use the AA credit card BUT don't I still need to "activate" it? And I can't do that without having it physically present to call the number on the sticker and read off the cc number.

Many thanks
Newt

Alaska Airlines 151
First | Nonstop | Details
Nome (OME)
9:47 am Sat, Aug 18 Anchorage (ANC)
11:13 am Sat, Aug 18

Alaska Airlines 136
First | Nonstop | Details
Anchorage (ANC)
12:35 pm Sat, Aug 18 Portland, OR (PDX)
5:07 pm Sat, Aug 18


Alaska Airlines 388
First | Nonstop | Details
Portland, OR (PDX)
7:57 pm Sat, Aug 18 San Francisco (SFO)
9:46 pm Sat, Aug 18

Total: 2,624 mi | 10 h 59 m
Total Price for 2 Travelers
$1,963.00 including taxes & fees
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Old Jul 17, 2012, 5:20 pm
  #145  
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Originally Posted by thenewt
Hello,

My wife and I need to fly one-way from Nome Alaska to SFO. I have found the below itinerary. There are only 4 FC seats left on each of the first two flights.

I am thinking that I could apply for the AA credit card to use the companion vouched which would save me 1/2 of $1963 + $110 which net saves $770. The problem is that I don't want to lose the seats while awaiting the outcome of the CC application.

If approval is immediate I still have two problems: 1) I am on a cruise ship and will not be home to receive and activate the AA Credit Card; 2) how would I access the Promo code?

My reading tells me that I don't need to use the AA credit card BUT don't I still need to "activate" it? And I can't do that without having it physically present to call the number on the sticker and read off the cc number.

Many thanks
Newt
Note that the companion certificate that comes with the AS Signature Visa was recently changed to no longer include First Class. There is some debate about whether applications processed now will have a companion certificate issued before the July 31 cut-off (certificates issued on or after August 1 will not be valid for First), but I wouldn't personally count on it.

The certificate is deposited in your Alaska Airlines account online within a few weeks after you are approved for the card. You can access it under the "Discount Codes" section of your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account online (i.e. at http://www.alaskaair.com," not at the Bank of America site). I do not believe (but cannot affirm with any certitude) that the deposition of the certificate is conditional upon anything other than approval of your card application, so it shouldn't be necessary to activate, use, or otherwise have physical possession of the card in order to receive the certificate.

Full First Class fares are fully refundable, so it would be possible to book two seats now and then wait for your certificate to be deposited. If you receive the certificate before 8/1, then cancel your two full paid seats and rebook with the certificate. That way, your seats are "held" while you wait for the outcome of the process.

Also, note that the two-letter IATA code used on FlyerTalk for Alaska Airlines is "AS," while "AA" refers to American Airlines. It's pretty clear from the context which airline you mean, but I just wanted to point that out to avoid future confusion.
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Old Jul 18, 2012, 9:33 am
  #146  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
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Originally Posted by jackal
Note that the companion certificate that comes with the AS Signature Visa was recently changed to no longer include First Class. There is some debate about whether applications processed now will have a companion certificate issued before the July 31 cut-off (certificates issued on or after August 1 will not be valid for First), but I wouldn't personally count on it.

The certificate is deposited in your Alaska Airlines account online within a few weeks after you are approved for the card. You can access it under the "Discount Codes" section of your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account online (i.e. at http://www.alaskaair.com," not at the Bank of America site). I do not believe (but cannot affirm with any certitude) that the deposition of the certificate is conditional upon anything other than approval of your card application, so it shouldn't be necessary to activate, use, or otherwise have physical possession of the card in order to receive the certificate.

Full First Class fares are fully refundable, so it would be possible to book two seats now and then wait for your certificate to be deposited. If you receive the certificate before 8/1, then cancel your two full paid seats and rebook with the certificate. That way, your seats are "held" while you wait for the outcome of the process.

Also, note that the two-letter IATA code used on FlyerTalk for Alaska Airlines is "AS," while "AA" refers to American Airlines. It's pretty clear from the context which airline you mean, but I just wanted to point that out to avoid future confusion.
Just FYI...I applied for the credit card as a first time applicant on Sunday, July 9th. I received my companion code in my AS online account on Monday, July 16th. I received the plastic card in the mail on Tuesday, July 17th. So, from my recent experience I think you can shop using the companion code even before receiving your card. Hope this helps!
ashley1245 is offline  
Old Jul 18, 2012, 11:45 am
  #147  
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Originally Posted by ashley1245
Just FYI...I applied for the credit card as a first time applicant on Sunday, July 9th. I received my companion code in my AS online account on Monday, July 16th. I received the plastic card in the mail on Tuesday, July 17th. So, from my recent experience I think you can shop using the companion code even before receiving your card. Hope this helps!
As an update: AS has also confirmed that all applications received by July 31 will get the companion certificate good for First Class.
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Old Jul 18, 2012, 6:49 pm
  #148  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: DL, AS, Marriott, Hyatt, National
Posts: 862
Originally Posted by jackal
As an update: AS has also confirmed that all applications received by July 31 will get the companion certificate good for First Class.
Has there been any word on renewals? My first renewal is sometime this month, so I don't know whether or not to expect my next companion certificate to be issued before 8/1.
trek87 is offline  
Old Jul 18, 2012, 11:17 pm
  #149  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
Originally Posted by jackal
As an update: AS has also confirmed that all applications received by July 31 will get the companion certificate good for First Class.
Great news! My GF was approved last Wed for her AS card. Once we get & use the companion cert for F redemption (probably to Maui), she'll just cancel her card since the companion cert loses much of it's value if just for Y redemptions.
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Old Sep 7, 2012, 11:53 pm
  #150  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 468
Question

Originally Posted by ashley1245
Just FYI...I applied for the credit card as a first time applicant on Sunday, July 9th. I received my companion code in my AS online account on Monday, July 16th. I received the plastic card in the mail on Tuesday, July 17th. So, from my recent experience I think you can shop using the companion code even before receiving your card. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the data point.

Is it pretty standard for there to be a week delay from approval until the companion ticket shows up in the account?

I was just approved tonight and would like to use the CP on a Coach Thanksgiving itinerary. There is high volatility in this fare and this is the lowest it has been in some time.

Thanks!
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