Delta SkyMiles (Pre-WorldPerks Merger) [closed to posting] - Delta/AMEX $99 Companion Certificate--NOT!

As a "reward" for being holders of Gold Delta/Amex credit cards, my spouse and I each received $99 Companion Fare Certificates. Guess what----they are worthless, as they can only be used if the companion full fare ticket is booked in "L, U or T" class, which we've found is impossible to find.

We've tried numerous itineraries to different cities at different times and can't find a single intinerary that would allow us to use these certificates.

Any suggestions or hints on how to use these?

If I'm right that it is virtually impossible to use these, then I will report this to our state's consumer protection agency, as I believe it implicates consumer protection/fraud issues.

Those are typically the lower class fares and sometimes can't be found a few months or weeks out. Check every day on delta.com and eventually you will find something. It helps if you live in a city where Delta has a lot of competition because T fares (sometimes U or L) are used to match competitors. There is plenty of availability on those fare classes from ATL for instance. What airport do you fly out of?

We fly out of PDX. I've been trying this now for 3 weeks, for travel as far out as September, and so far these certificates have been worthless.

Thanks for your info, though.

On DL's site make sure that you click on "full search options" and they under "Preferences" pick fare class. Under fare class you can search for "Coach T or higher". This should help you locate LUT fares.

Where do you want to go and when? I found many L and U fares from PDX to many major cities throughout the U.S.

I have used them whenever possible and have never found LUT to be an issue where I fly to or from. All depends on your particular intinerary.

I fly from pdx, and almost all of my past flights this year have been t-class. Just book a bit in advance and it shouldn't be too hard.

I have used them whenever possible and have never found LUT to be an issue where I fly to or from. All depends on your particular intinerary.

Agreed. It is likely that the OP is looking for an itinerary that would otherwise be expensive (vacation areas in high season or something similar) or may not be compatible with the certificate (Hawaii).

OP, please give us more info and we can easily find out what the problem is.

This may be the case with the PDX market for this time of the year, but ex YUL there tends to be quite substantial L and U inventory on most days and flights since it is L and U inventory assigned for consolidators contract fares. So, might be more the case of the destination or dates desired, not a systemwide problem with redemption.

What markets are you trying to book? I just ran several searches with flights leaving PDX on a Friday and returning on a Sunday. These would seem to me to be the flights least likely to have L/U/T fares still available. On each search I was able to find L/U?t tickets. This was for travel a 2-4 weeks from now.

L, U & T fares are very common. There is no consumer fraud here.

LUTs are everywhere. I have rarely ever purchased anything higher, in fact the most expensive ($370) domestic ticket I have purchased in recent memory was a U fare.

I used my certificate successfully today to book 2 RT flights from Dayton to Phoenix 11/7-11/11 for $442.00, taxes included. Delta.com was pricing the same flights for $560.

I called the AMEX Platinum 2-for-1 program and they offered the same price ($442 for 2) but they could only offer via American Airlines. I'm not a member of AA so I declined.

All in all, I saved a little over $100 off retail plus I get to pocket the SkyMiles for one pax (me). Plus, unlike the companion certificate, I didn't have to go to a Delta ticketing agent to complete the purchase. ^

Who got these 2 for 1's? Delta Gold AMEX or AMEX Gold?

Who got these 2 for 1's? Delta Gold AMEX or AMEX Gold?Delta SkyMiles Amex. Gold offer is $99 co-pay on a pair of LUT fares and Platinum card offer is $0 co-pay on the same.

Delta SkyMiles Amex. Gold offer is $99 co-pay on a pair of LUT fares and Platinum card offer is $0 co-pay on the same.

I think Gold members only get 1 per year and it's upon renewal. Platinum members may get more, IIRC.

And AMEX has a platinum card (annual fee $450) that will give you four 2-for-1 tickets on one of 6 major airlines, contiguous US and Honolulu/Anchorage only with a minimum fare of $299 for the former and $899 for the latter. You can't pick your airline a lot of times, but you do accumulate miles on both tickets. It's saved a few hundred bucks for some people who fly enough to overcome the $450 fee. (You get other benefits, too, such as complimentary Starwood gold, free towing, consumer protection, upgrades on fine hotels, and Crown Room Club access.

Oh? And hints on how to use them? I just called the number on my certificate. Both times I checked I was able to get at least $150 off retail and they were able to offer better flight times than the Amex platinum program.

FYI, I was booking for 11/7-11/11, which is a little more than 3 months out. Obviously if you want to travel during the summer, I'd call 6 months in advance.

The number is 800-325-1447. I simply read the certificate number to the agent and she issued the tickets electronically. ^

I think Gold members only get 1 per year and it's upon renewal. Platinum members may get more, IIRC.
Both gold and platinum are 1 a year at renewal.

Delta SkyMiles Amex. Gold offer is $99 co-pay on a pair of LUT fares and Platinum card offer is $0 co-pay on the same.

Are these ACTUAL certificates? I have had a DL Gold AMEX for 3 years now and have gotten NO companion fare things. I actually could have used it too :(

Are these ACTUAL certificates? I have had a DL Gold AMEX for 3 years now and have gotten NO companion fare things. I actually could have used it too :(Yup, physical certificates. Mine come each year a few weeks after renewal (one each for the personal and business cards).

Are these ACTUAL certificates? I have had a DL Gold AMEX for 3 years now and have gotten NO companion fare things. I actually could have used it too :(

I believe the $99 certificate was part of the new gold benefits announced in January of this year. I've been gold for a few years, but this is the first year I received the $99 companion certificate. IIRC platinums used to get them but had to pay $99 for them. Now theirs is free, but gold is $99...?

My annual renewal date was in March, so I got the certificate after they received my March payment. My husband (gold card holder as well) has an October renewal and has not gotten his yet.

The certificates have always been free for platinum card holders. But the value has decreased over the years. When it first came out it was good for a companion international ticket, no restrictions at all. Then after a few years I believe there were class of service restrictions. Then domestic only and now with further restrictions. Eventually.....?

Eventually.....?

Check one bag, get another free?? :D

I paid my renewel in August for my delta gold amex. What can I expect the envelope with the certificate to look like with the $99 certificate? Thanks!

I paid my renewel in August for my delta gold amex. What can I expect the envelope with the certificate to look like with the $99 certificate? Thanks!

My husband hasn't gotten his yet either and the renewal was paid over 30 days ago. Hmmm.

What markets are you trying to book? I just ran several searches with flights leaving PDX on a Friday and returning on a Sunday. These would seem to me to be the flights least likely to have L/U/T fares still available. On each search I was able to find L/U?t tickets. This was for travel a 2-4 weeks from now.

L, U & T fares are very common. There is no consumer fraud here.

I just tried using mine; was told there wasn't any availability. Then I go to the Delta website, and see lots of L, U, T fares. Not sure exactly what's going on. I guess I need to do my own search, and then tell them what flights to pick - which really defeats the purpose of requiring us to call the promotions line to get our tickets. I hope an e-version of the certificate is coming!

After calling, I did receive my certificate in the mail. :) Don't have immediate plans to use it but it will come in handy when I do use it. The last companion certificate I used (USAIR) was a breeze to use so hopefully this one will be also. Thanks.

I just tried using mine; was told there wasn't any availability. Then I go to the Delta website, and see lots of L, U, T fares. Not sure exactly what's going on. I guess I need to do my own search, and then tell them what flights to pick - which really defeats the purpose of requiring us to call the promotions line to get our tickets. I hope an e-version of the certificate is coming!

The problem is that the promotions line people are poorly trained employees in the oft discussed Indian call center.

Now that I made a negative comment about the Indian call center this thread will be closed. ;)

Weird.. I didn't get mine in July. I guess I get to call AMEX - Yippieeee!

Is it possible to avoid the $20 call center fee somehow on these $99 Companion certs? I called today and found that I'd be saving a whopping total of $20 instead of $40 on a Jan trip to FLL.

Seems like a waste and not much value. Not sure why they don't have a way to book these online.

On DL's site make sure that you click on "full search options" and they under "Preferences" pick fare class. Under fare class you can search for "Coach T or higher". This should help you locate LUT fares.

I wish you could toggle the direction, so instead of "T and higher", I could select "L and lower". I guess the "x and higher" is for people looking for upgradeable fares.


Another post talked about trying to avoid the $20/ticket phone fee. Another thread talked about talking to an SMS agent to put your flights on hold, then going online to delta.com, and paying for them there. There seemed to be some success with this. However, when I called for ticketing information last night, I wanted the flights put on hold (partly to give me time to discuss with others, also because I thought I'd need to drive to airport today to hand in certificate). The agent said I wouldn't need to present the certificate anymore, but they also couldn't hold the tickets (it's immediate purchase over the phone).
I might try that with a different agent tonight. The extra $40 in phone fees is ridiculous, since apparently there's no Delta provides for using the voucher that doesn't involve a fee.

Jeff

CRC costs 300-400 dollars anyway, so if you use it, you can calculate the total cost of that Amex plat card down to $50-$150.. which isnt bad considering you get the 4 2for 1's and all the other perks..

The DL plat card has the same deal as the gold - 1 cert a year upon renewal.

The DL plat card has the same deal as the gold - 1 cert a year upon renewal.

Except it'll cost you $99 to use it if you're a gold card member. It's free for platinum members.

I finally got my husband's certificate after emailing Delta asking why he hadn't received it yet. I cannot find an expiration date on it. Hmmm.

I finally got my husband's certificate after emailing Delta asking why he hadn't received it yet. I cannot find an expiration date on it. Hmmm.

From the T&C's:
"Tickets must be purchased with your Gold/Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card. Companion Certificates valid for 1 year from certificate issue date and validity is not based on the calendar year. All travel must be completed one year from certificate issue date."

We used ours on an SLC-JFK trip last year, no problem finding the fare and it made it possible to book TATL saver tickets...can't complain.

Anyone know offhand if the companion voucher can be used for Skywest flights?

Jeff

Anyone know offhand if the companion voucher can be used for Skywest flights?

Jeff
The similar platinum certificate is good on any DL Connection (except American Eagle) so I would assume the $99 would be ok, too.

Thanks.

Jeff