AMEX/DELTA "Free" companion ticket worthless
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 4
AMEX/DELTA "Free" companion ticket worthless
I have used the annual companion ticket that comes with my AMEX Delta platinum card fairly successfully in past years. However, this year, it is worthless. I have pled my case to both AMEX and Delta with no luck. Recent example: A round-trip first-class ticket, class "A," from SLC to BOS costs about $1,150. However, when you use the "Free" companion ticket, the cost skyrockets to $2,250. I fly mainly out of Salt Lake and no matter where I have tried to use it, it has been absolutely worthless for first-class fare - at least out of SLC.
So if you are purchasing the AMEX/DELTA platinum credit card with the idea of re-couping some of the card's annual fee by using the "free" companion first-class fare, you may want to only sign up for the card for other reasons.
So if you are purchasing the AMEX/DELTA platinum credit card with the idea of re-couping some of the card's annual fee by using the "free" companion first-class fare, you may want to only sign up for the card for other reasons.
#2
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: charlotte, nc, usa
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, Marriott Plat (lifetime), Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,009
FYI, Delta "A" fares are technically coach fares that are automatically upgraded for first. The reason for the price increase that you're seeing is probably due to the fact that a true F seat on Delta is a lot more expensive than an A fare.
For more info on this, see the dozen plus threads in the Delta forum.
For more info on this, see the dozen plus threads in the Delta forum.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ORF
Programs: DL SM, AA, BA, WN, UA, SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt
Posts: 263
The AMEX Platinum Skymiles card does not offer a free First Class companion ticket. You have to have the Delta Reserve card for that.
I have never had a problem using my coach companion ticket I get each year with my Platinum Skymiles card.
I have never had a problem using my coach companion ticket I get each year with my Platinum Skymiles card.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: DL PM, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,082
I've had very good luck using the Reserve card first class companion certificate. It's very easy to use - online and it works. It's flexible - it's transferable for someone else to use (family members). It's a HUGE bargain - I've saved a ton of money using them over the years. I'm still trying to figure out any negative about this credit card perk. I don't see any other than it does limit you to the lower fares, but those are readily available.
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New Orleans (for now)
Programs: DL PM, WN, SC, various other programs of lowly status
Posts: 1,672
Some of it depends on where and when you are flying from/to. Years past I was never able to use mine. I could always find 2 sale fares cheaper than the required base fare for the cert.
This year I was determined to use it to fly my daughter & husband over Labor Day weekend to our family reunion. I kept checking back for weeks on end and finally the flights I wanted popped up in the usable fare bucket about 4-5 weeks out.
I have had better luck using the Reserve card certs for F travel. But still, you have to just keep checking back, just like we all do for award travel.
This year I was determined to use it to fly my daughter & husband over Labor Day weekend to our family reunion. I kept checking back for weeks on end and finally the flights I wanted popped up in the usable fare bucket about 4-5 weeks out.
I have had better luck using the Reserve card certs for F travel. But still, you have to just keep checking back, just like we all do for award travel.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 4
Thanks
Yes, first timer poster, so thanks for the replies.
And yes, I should have clarified, I do have the Delta Platinum "reserve" card.
However, there just never seems to be a first class ticket which makes sense to use the "free" companion fare on. I have used them in the past and they have been great, but this year, I have yet to see a round trip first-class ticket out of SLC that it really gives you any kind of savings on - that's all I am saying - so for me, it is worthless.
And yes, I should have clarified, I do have the Delta Platinum "reserve" card.
However, there just never seems to be a first class ticket which makes sense to use the "free" companion fare on. I have used them in the past and they have been great, but this year, I have yet to see a round trip first-class ticket out of SLC that it really gives you any kind of savings on - that's all I am saying - so for me, it is worthless.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Programs: SPG PLT
Posts: 238
I've had very good luck using the Reserve card first class companion certificate. It's very easy to use - online and it works. It's flexible - it's transferable for someone else to use (family members). It's a HUGE bargain - I've saved a ton of money using them over the years. I'm still trying to figure out any negative about this credit card perk. I don't see any other than it does limit you to the lower fares, but those are readily available.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 4
Card types
Sorry, should have looked closer at which card was attached to the certificate. I have several AMEX for personal and business. The "free" companion fare comes with each year's renewal on my Delta Reserve AMEX I believe.
#11
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA, DL, SPG, Hyatt
Posts: 313
Well, I feel the concern of the OP, but I can't think of a single "companion certificate" that is truly easy to redeem. Are there other airlines or credit card companies that have have a seamless process for redeeming? And I'm not talking about the AMEX Platinum and the stupid business/first class restriction.
But I will say that if you get a credit card simply for the companion certificate, you should rethink your cc decision.
But I will say that if you get a credit card simply for the companion certificate, you should rethink your cc decision.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: DL, Hilton, National
Posts: 839
I will stick up for the OP in saying that the Reserve companion cert has recently significantly lost its value for me. In the past, as long as there was an A fare -- any A fare -- I have been able to book it using the cert.
Now that it is all through the system, you can go to book the A fare, yet when you indicate you are using the cert, the fare (still in A bucket) skyrockets and it no longer is worth trying to use the cert at all. I have tried it in numerous markets. Eventually you are able to find one where the A fare without the cert is not much lower than with, but that is rare.
I agree that the cert has very little value to me whatsoever. FWIW, I have never tried to use it to fly in Y, and wouldn't.
Now that it is all through the system, you can go to book the A fare, yet when you indicate you are using the cert, the fare (still in A bucket) skyrockets and it no longer is worth trying to use the cert at all. I have tried it in numerous markets. Eventually you are able to find one where the A fare without the cert is not much lower than with, but that is rare.
I agree that the cert has very little value to me whatsoever. FWIW, I have never tried to use it to fly in Y, and wouldn't.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SMF
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt D
Posts: 416
FWIW, I find the best deals for the certificate are on the L, U or Ts to high cost destinations.
#15
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Yellow Springs
Programs: AS 75k
Posts: 1,523
Well, I feel the concern of the OP, but I can't think of a single "companion certificate" that is truly easy to redeem. Are there other airlines or credit card companies that have have a seamless process for redeeming? And I'm not talking about the AMEX Platinum and the stupid business/first class restriction.
But I will say that if you get a credit card simply for the companion certificate, you should rethink your cc decision.
But I will say that if you get a credit card simply for the companion certificate, you should rethink your cc decision.
A few years ago when it was "free" or even $50, it was well worth the $75 annual credit card fee by itself. At $99 it may not be worth getting the credit card only for that unless you're using it for F tix, although you could make a pretty good case for getting it to use on a trans con SEA/PDX-EWR/BOS in Y.
Last edited by flymonthly; Sep 18, 2011 at 10:31 am Reason: corrected annual cc fee