Originally Posted by
nearlysober
The odd thing is... you can use your companion fare on 2 different people (at least you used to).
Let's say Tom has a companion fare that is expiring... but he has no where to fly before it does.
Bill & Jane do have somewhere to fly.
Tom can buy two tickets, using his companion fare, using his Alaska credit card, for Bill & Jane. Tom doesn't have to fly with them.
The problem seems to be if Tom cannot use his fare, and only Jane wants to go somewhere. They come up with the idea that Tom will book Jane as his companion, and he'll be a no-show and not fly.
I guess the intent there would be that Tom could use his status level to get a refund as a no-show, and Jane would only fly for $99. Not sure that would even work with Alaska's changes to their no-show policy anymore.
Indeed you can use your companion certificate to book for two people one of which is not yourself provided that the certificate owner books and pays for the reservation. The rules still apply, one primary, one companion. Whomever is the primary pax MUST travel and can do so with or without the companion. Under no circumstances can the companion travel without the primary. If Tom is a no-show, Jane isn't going anywhere! Getting a $99 flight isn't going to happen regardless of non-show policy. Companion certificates are a valuable instrument which can get two people sitting up front at a good discount (via purchasing immediate upgradable fares). Let's not abuse them and have them taken away! I have five Alaska CC accounts and easily save thousands of dollars a year with efficient implementation and fly up front 90% of the time. The savings on one certificate easily covers the $375 (5 ×$75) annual fees.
James