America West FlightFund (Discontinued Program) - HP dramatically changes the rules on BofA Companion Certs

I'm getting ready to use one of the BofA Platinum Visa $50 companion certificates that comes each year with the renewal of the FF Platinum Visa card. You buy any ticket, for systemwide travel and you can take a companion for $50, plus taxes.

I have two certificates, dated about 6 months apart.

Terms of conditions of the older one:

Travel is valid system-wide on America West operated flights. . .
Travel IS eligible for FlightFund credit.
It doesn't say so on the certificate, but the traveler is eligible for upgrade either as Elite member, as Elite companion, or with the use of miles. I know because I've done it before -- confirmed upgrade, with miles, months in advance of travel.

Terms and conditions of the new one:

Travel is valid system-wide on America West operated flights. . . (no change here)
Travel is NOT eligible for FlightFund miles.
Certificate valid for use in Coach Class only.
Companion traveler not eligible for first class upgrade.

This used to be one of the best deals HP had going -- of great value. Just one more way they are chipping away at us. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

Ouch thats not good. I just went and checked mine and it says the same thing. I guess I am supposed to make my girlfriend ride in the back? Not going to happen.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AZ Travels the World:
I'm getting ready to use one of the BofA Platinum Visa $50 companion certificates that comes each year with the renewal of the FF Platinum Visa card. You buy any ticket, for systemwide travel and you can take a companion for $50, plus taxes. </font>
I have the regular B of A FF card, not the Platinum . . . is it worth upgrading now? Can you give the companion cert to someone else (business associate, child, friend, etc.)?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PhoenixCMC:
[QUOTE]I have the regular B of A FF card, not the Platinum . . . is it worth upgrading now? Can you give the companion cert to someone else (business associate, child, friend, etc.)?

</font>

No, you can't give it to someone else. In item 3 of the T&C's it states: "This certificate is non-transferable."

As for whether it is worth upgrading from 'classic' to 'platinum,' the certificate is still worth a $50 coach class companion ticket anywhere they fly. Even without miles or the ability to upgrade, that can have big value, depending upon where one is going.

The other major differences are:

--Two miles per dollar spent when buying HP tickets direct from HP. If you don't buy your own tickets direct from HP this is of no value to you.

-- Double the 2500 enrollment bonus points. Presumably they'd give you the extra 2500 for upgrading.

-- 1000 miles each year your renew the card.

I don't know if there are any differences in benefits such as car rental insurance, etc. between these two cards, but typically Platinum level cards come with somewhat better ancillary coverages.

America West is dramatically changing many of its rules these days. That's why I almost never fly the carrier anymore.

Re: Travel is NOT eligible for FlightFund miles

Does that include the original ticket purchased and the companion ticket, or does that mean that only the companion ticket is ineligible for miles?

Re: Travel is NOT eligible for FlightFund miles

Does that include the original ticket purchased and the companion ticket, or does that mean that only the companion ticket is ineligible for miles?
The revenue ticket should earn the appropriate mileage.