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ARCHIVE: LUS: US Companion Certificates [use by 31 Dec 2015]

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Old Feb 26, 2013, 12:45 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: JDiver
US Airways / Barclays $99.00 Companion Certificates

As indicated in post #1254 & 1255, the last date to book has been EXTENDED
to October 12, use by 31 Dec 2015, on AA.


US Airways Companion Certificate

Purchase a roundtrip ticket of $250 (before any taxes) or more with your US Airways Dividend Miles MasterCard and have up to two companions fly with you for $99 each (plus tax on the amount of the equivalent full-fare ticket).

The price of the full-fare ticket is determined by the lowest "bucket" for which two Y seats are available if you have one companion and for which three Y seats are available if you have two companions.

Systemwide blackout dates (2015):
Jan 3, 4, Feb 13, Mar 15, 20, 22, 26, 27, 29, Apr 2, 3, 6, 12, May 21, 22, Jun 25, 26, Jul 5, 6, Oct 18, Nov 20, 29, 30, Dec 18, 19, 26, 27

Additional Blackout Dates for specific cities (2015):
- Jan 15 from Dallas
- Jan 29, 30 to Phoenix
- Feb 2, 3 from Phoenix
- Feb 13 to New Orleans
- Feb 18 from New Orleans
- Apr 7 from Indianapolis
- Apr 30, May 1 to Louisville
- May 3 from Louisville

Routing:
Certificate valid for use when travel originates in the contiguous 48 United States for service to the contiguous 48 states or Canada.
Not valid for travel to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Caribbean, Mexico, Central/South America, or Europe. Not valid on stopovers, open jaws, open returns, or circle trips.

Valid Carrier
Valid on flights operated by US Airways and US Airways Express. Not valid on codeshare flights operated by partner airlines such as United.
Valid for travel on American flights with a departure date after October 18, 2015.

Dividend Miles Accrual and Upgrades
Travel is eligible for Dividend Miles accrual, accrual in other airline programs not permitted. Dividend Miles Preferred upgrades are permitted subject to the rules of the upgrade being used. All Dividend Miles Terms and Conditions apply.

Additional guidelines for booking
1) You must call US Airways reservations; you cannot book this type of ticket on line.
2) The certificate must be used by YOU, you cannot have someone else and two companions use it.
3) You must book you and any companions at the same time as you on the same routing and PNR as you. One companion cannot break off and go a different direction for one segment.
4) You must use your US Airways Mastercard to make the purchase.
5) You must mail in the certificate after you make the purchase. The address is printed on the certificate (US Airways office in Winston-Salem, NC). (They insist that you retain proof of mailing within 24 hours of booking)
6) There should NOT be a telephone booking fee for this as you can't book this type of fare any other way.
7) It should be possible to split the PNR after booking (this may be beneficial for those hoping for an upgrade as a preferred member, or if the card holder can no longer travel on the days originally booked) YMMV.
8) Any changes to the tickets after booking are subject to the current change fees listed on the US Airways website.
9) Ticket must be booked at least 14 days in advance of travel. (Agents may try to tell you that it needs 15 days because the day of travel is not counted. Even supervisor will insist on it. Do not buy that. Hang up and redial. You need usual 14 days advance booking)
10) You can cancel within 24 hours of booking and you will retain the certificate if you have not mailed it. But they will not make any changes to reservations even within 24 hours due to the third sentance under the Change/Refunds section in the T&C.


Contact Phone Number for post October 18 travel: The American Airlines Meeting and Group Travel Desk is handling the post-October 18, 2015 US Companion Certificates travel reservations- 1-800-433-1790

Related thread:
Benefits of US Airways MasterCard®
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ARCHIVE: LUS: US Companion Certificates [use by 31 Dec 2015]

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Old Jul 19, 2012, 8:23 pm
  #121  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 709
I'm still not clear at all on how the companion certificate is handled, despite reading every post in this thread. If I apply for the card today (as I'm considering doing), and I get the companion certificate in a couple months...how do the dates for that work? It sounds like, from several posts, that depending on what time of year you apply for the card and when you get your certificates, that your window for the certs being valid could be really short. Is that correct (because if so, that's really stupid, and hard to believe!)

Are they not just valid on a rolling-year basis, meaning they're valid for a year from when I receive them (no matter when my account anniversary is)?

Since it's already the second half of the year, and I may not get the certs until Q4 if I apply now, do I need to wait until early next year (or some other time in the year) to apply for the card--does it matter when you apply for it? Would appreciate any clarification around these points, thanks!
DCdeacon is offline  
Old Jul 20, 2012, 12:20 am
  #122  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA EXP ; Cunard Plat
Posts: 4,211
Originally Posted by DCdeacon
...Are they not just valid on a rolling-year basis, meaning they're valid for a year from when I receive them (no matter when my account anniversary is)? ...
Each certificate will have dates listed, e.g.
NOT VALID BEFORE 8/01/2012
BOOK BY 12/31/2012
TRAVEL BY 5/30/2013

(relying on memory, as I'm traveling)

Shorter validity than a rolling year - more like 6 months to book, and more months to complete travel.

When you apply matters only if you have specific dates in mind (e.g. around Thanksgiving) for use of the certs; if so, applying in, say, January, with the shorter validity time frame (few companions except dependents can pin down their travel dates months in advance ) may not be the best idea.
kudzu is offline  
Old Jul 20, 2012, 5:20 am
  #123  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,811
I cannot imagine that they would legitimately give you 30 or 45 days to use a companion certificate. None of mine are like that.

I've got my USDM cert in front of me for a card that has a May anniversary date...

NOT VALID BEFORE 5/01/2012
BOOK BY 01/31/2013
TRAVEL BY 4/30/2013
IADCAflyer is offline  
Old Jul 20, 2012, 6:01 am
  #124  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 709
Originally Posted by ITRADE
I cannot imagine that they would legitimately give you 30 or 45 days to use a companion certificate. None of mine are like that.

I've got my USDM cert in front of me for a card that has a May anniversary date...

NOT VALID BEFORE 5/01/2012
BOOK BY 01/31/2013
TRAVEL BY 4/30/2013
This makes sense to me. This is giving you a full year...8 months to book, another 4 on top of that to fly if need be, but the combined period takes you all the way until your next certificate date.
DCdeacon is offline  
Old Jul 23, 2012, 2:28 pm
  #125  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2
I have two questions and I'm hoping that I can get some help. Thanks in advance!

First, when should I expect these vouchers? I haven't seen them in the mail yet, I got the card mid july 2011. Is there a number to call if I don't recieve my voucher?

Second questions is can I add a companion ticket to a flight which I already booked or do I have to purchase both at the same time?

Thanks,
idman3 is offline  
Old Jul 23, 2012, 2:55 pm
  #126  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: DL, AS, Marriott, Hyatt, National
Posts: 862
Originally Posted by idman3
I have two questions and I'm hoping that I can get some help. Thanks in advance!

First, when should I expect these vouchers? I haven't seen them in the mail yet, I got the card mid july 2011. Is there a number to call if I don't recieve my voucher?
If you have the World MC, you should have received a welcome packet within a few weeks of opening your account containing a companion certificate. You should receive another one around your anniversary date (i.e., now). I would definitely call the # on the back of your CC to find out what's going on. As for your anniversary packet, it might be too early to have received it yet. I received mine shortly before my statement with the annual fee closed.

Originally Posted by idman3
...
Second questions is can I add a companion ticket to a flight which I already booked or do I have to purchase both at the same time?
You must purchase both tickets at the same time according to the T&Cs.
trek87 is offline  
Old Jul 23, 2012, 3:02 pm
  #127  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2
You must purchase both tickets at the same time according to the T&Cs.[/QUOTE]

So if I'm forced to use an online service to book my work flights, there's no option to add a companion flight then. Has anyone else had this issue?
idman3 is offline  
Old Jul 23, 2012, 3:24 pm
  #128  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Fairport, NY
Posts: 195
I have not seen this question

If I book a fare with a $99 companion and get ticketed, can I go back and then and use my earned miles to up grade us both to first? If that would work, since we are on the same PNR could I just use enough miles for my ticket and have my companion upgraded automatically?

ralph
rxralph is offline  
Old Jul 23, 2012, 5:43 pm
  #129  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: DL, AS, Marriott, Hyatt, National
Posts: 862
Originally Posted by rxralph
If I book a fare with a $99 companion and get ticketed, can I go back and then and use my earned miles to up grade us both to first? If that would work, since we are on the same PNR could I just use enough miles for my ticket and have my companion upgraded automatically?

ralph
The T&Cs do not address upgrades with miles specifically. Your companion would not be upgraded automatically unless you are requesting a Preferred Upgrade and you both clear together (which is allowed according to the T&Cs). You can always call and ask.
trek87 is offline  
Old Aug 8, 2012, 1:32 pm
  #130  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: US Silver, UA Plat, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 212
I booked a RT DCA-PDX with my companion ticket paid for with my credit card. I am a US Silver and my companion is a US CP. My understanding is that the companion tickets get preferred upgrades normally as if they were two purchased tickets on the same PNR. I think this means that my companion's CP status would cause both of us to get upgraded at the 7 day mark (assuming that space exists). Is this correct? Also, would changing my US DM# to my UA MP# cause the upgrade not to occur?

Thanks!
jmk2135 is offline  
Old Aug 8, 2012, 1:37 pm
  #131  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,662
Originally Posted by jmk2135
I booked a RT DCA-PDX with my companion ticket paid for with my credit card. I am a US Silver and my companion is a US CP. My understanding is that the companion tickets get preferred upgrades normally as if they were two purchased tickets on the same PNR. I think this means that my companion's CP status would cause both of us to get upgraded at the 7 day mark (assuming that space exists). Is this correct? Also, would changing my US DM# to my UA MP# cause the upgrade not to occur?

Thanks!
The CP status will rule.
apeortdz is offline  
Old Aug 8, 2012, 1:42 pm
  #132  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
Originally Posted by jmk2135
I booked a RT DCA-PDX with my companion ticket paid for with my credit card. I am a US Silver and my companion is a US CP. My understanding is that the companion tickets get preferred upgrades normally as if they were two purchased tickets on the same PNR. I think this means that my companion's CP status would cause both of us to get upgraded at the 7 day mark (assuming that space exists). Is this correct? Also, would changing my US DM# to my UA MP# cause the upgrade not to occur?

Thanks!
Need to separate the issues:

Think of a companion ticket as just a special price on a ticket. Has no independent effect on upgrades.

The fact that you and your companion are on the same PNR means that you will be treated as a pair of CPs (with your companion's status in terms of mileage flown) from the standpoint of upgrading. At T-7, your companion will get processed for possible upgrade. If you leave your DM number in the system, you'll both get notification of whether you (both -- it's all or nothing) got upgraded or not. (Don't be surprised if there is no upgrade at T-7; TC upgrades tend not to clear, even for CPs, before T-4.)

I do not think that changing from DM (US) to MP (UA) for mileage credit will change anything except that you (singular) may no longer get notified if and when the upgrade occurs.
Biggie Fries is offline  
Old Aug 9, 2012, 11:18 am
  #133  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: PC Pl, UA 1K, CC Gl
Posts: 2,235
Anyone was able to book open jaw with it?
al613 is offline  
Old Sep 7, 2012, 2:04 pm
  #134  
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: PDX
Posts: 130
Flyer Talk is awesome again!

I finally found a list of the actual blackout dates, albeit a year+ old, but still great for reference!

The post with the info is:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...astercard.html

...in case you need it.

Thanks Guy!
Greysword is offline  
Old Sep 10, 2012, 8:54 am
  #135  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 136
Do all segments of the companion ticket itinerary need to be on US Air metal? Or can I fly United codeshare flights as well?
dovergator is offline  


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