Originally Posted by
clarrkkent
As far as maximizing value, just consider routes that don’t get discounted much. Even better if you can couple the companion fare with GGU’s.
Best value would be using during peak travel periods like holidays or spring break where fares are generally high.
You may also want to try calling AS to see if they’ll extend the companion fare expiration due to COVID.
All companion certificates were extended until December 31st, 2020 and can be used on travel up to November 26th, 2021, the last day of the Calendar from the extension date. Originally, companion certificates were only reissued if they still had validity with the same expiration date. Later, AS announced the extension.
I had a companion certificate from a December 2018 itinerary that was replaced when I cancelled the itinerary in early April. It retained the original expiry date but has now been extended.
If I had applied the companion certificate to a new itinerary before the extension, I would anticipate that a subsequent change should provide for a replacement certificate and extension to December 31st, 2020. Logically speaking of course. The OP's subsequent itinerary was a fresh new booking with a reissued instrument, not a change to his original itinerary.
If AS won't reissue a certificate then, as you say, emailing the ticket for later changes/reissue is the best scenario.
For maximizing value, circle trips and through fares are great for maximizing EQM & you can visit more than one city on the routing. Circle trips with open jaws are also possible. GGUs are especially nice when you can upgrade multiple segments with one GGU each.
James