May 14, 2013, 10:30 am
Last edit by: rrgg
Based on an original post by flyer206
I summarized a few posts on the companion fare. I initially had some questions and went through some of the posts as well as asked Missydarlin. So I thought I would post it for future people. If there is something incorrect or perhaps is useful for the next person please add or let me know.
Extending a companion fare
Tickets must be booked by the expiry date but can be for travel up to 330 days in advance. So book 2 full-fare tickets (coach fare only with new certificates issued after Aug. 1, 2012) for travel 11 months in advance to any destination on AS. When you have decided when and where you want to go, call AS to change the tickets. Since the tickets are full-fare or first class the changes will be no charge. The tickets can be changed to a lower level ticket including hot fare and the destination can be changed as well. If the tickets are cheaper then the amount will be refunded to the same credit card.
However, the ticket can not be extended for another 330 days. Meaning, you can not keep on extending the companion certificate. Hence travel must be completed within the initial 330 day window of when you booked your initial ticket.
The current terms show the personal and business card are treated the same regarding booking dates and expiration dates. If you have a counterexample since 2024, please share. (At one time the business companion fare required travel completed by expiry date.)
One of the travelers can not go
If the revenue passenger can not go then the companion passenger can not go. The T&C of the companion fare is that the companion must travel with the revenue passenger. Changes can be made by calling AS but change fees apply. Changes can now be done on-line. If the companion passenger can not go, the revenue passenger can still go. If you want to use the companion certificate another time, a call has to be made to AS.
Name changes are allowed but must be called in for change and is subject to change fee($125 --exempt if the name change involves a passenger who has status).
Should status flyer be the revenue or companion ticket.
Since the companion ticket is dependent on the revenue ticket, the status flyer should be the companion fare unless the tickets are in full fare or first class. Why? If the companion traveler can not fly the companion coupon can be saved for future use. The status passenger is allowed to make changes at no charge. THERE IS DEBATE ABOUT THIS ANSWER
Do I have to be one of the passengers flying?
No, the T&C states that you must either be one of the passengers or the credit card booking the tickets be in your name. One poster mentioned that he did not travel or use his credit card when he let his father use it. However it that case I believe they shared the same last name.
Do you have to use the AS airline credit card when booking the companion fare?
Through September 30, 2019, no. "For companion fares issued on or after October 1, 2019, both the primary fare and the companion fare must be purchased using your Alaska Airlines credit card." Exceptions: Fare can also be paid with your Wallet funds or AS Gift cards.
Does the companion fare accrue points.
YES, both tickets accrue points on any frequent flyer plan that gives out points on AS flights ie AS, AA, DL, CX, BA etc
Is the companion fare upgradeable?
YES, depending on first class upgrade (U) inventory and by priority based on the status of the traveler. There has to be 2 upgradeable seats available. If using paper certificates there has to be 2 certificates. Both travelers must upgrade or none at all. At T-24, you will be added to the flight upgrade list upon checkin per normal procedure and upgrades will process in the usual order of priority.
companion fare and upgrade question
When will I get my Companion certificate?
As soon as you get approved for the credit card the certificate will appear in your Alaska airline online account. As of June 2016, the initial companion fare will post shortly after the statement where you reach the minimum spend (currently $1000) closes. Another will appear around the 1 year anniversary of your credit card. JULY 2020 UPDATE: spend is now $2,000 within 90 days.
Cancelling a companion fare
Rebook=kept in system however change fees may apply based on fare purchased.
Refund=gone
What class of fares can be booked?
All fares can be booked from "hot fares" to"first class" but only on Alaska/Horizon operated flights. It is not eligible for AA, DL etc operated flights. (coach fare only with new certificates issued after Aug. 1, 2012). You cannot purchase F but you can upgrade to F after purchase or try your luck at free upgrades if you have status.
Can the companion fare be used on a one-way, round trip, open jaw, OR multi-city?
Any of the above. Also, if you purchase RT, you can subsequently call to change to a one-way ticket and potentially get a credit for the fare that applies to the cancelled segments.
I don't want to change my travel now, is there a way to cancel & reissue the code?
It's not technically "reissued." It's basically encased in amber for reuse.
If you change more than 60 days from the date of travel, AND the companion has no status (sorry, spouse), you can reuse the companion cert by calling in, having the reservation split, and then re-deposting the primary traveler's airfare into My Wallet and keeping a record of the companion traveler's ticket number separately.
Then, to reuse the companion cert for the same companion on a different itinerary, you need to phone in and make the primary traveler's reservation, and pay with a credit card for the primary traveler's ticket. No My Wallet funds can be used. Then the companion's cert and fees are reattached and any difference in fees and taxes are collected/refunded.
If the primary traveler decides that he/she does not want to reuse the companion cert after canceling the original reservation (as long as it's done before the value of the companion cert/fees/taxes expires), the value of the fees/taxes of the companion cert can be redeposited into the primary traveler's My Wallet. But the cert itself is forfeited.
(from Seattlenerd. Thank you!)
What are the Terms and Conditions as issued by Alaska Air
Discount: Valid for one $99 USD Companion Ticket when traveling with another passenger on a paid airfare. Both passengers must be booked in the same itinerary, at the same fare, traveling together, and ticketed at the same time. Valid for round-trip or one-way travel. Valid on published fares. Not applicable to Mileage Plan Award Reservations, Alaska Airlines Vacation packages, tour or contract fares.
Reservations & Ticketing: Valid for new ticket purchases through alaskaair.com, Alaska Airlines Reservations, or Horizon Air Reservations. The Companion Ticket Discount Code is redeemed at time of ticketing and is void for future changes or purchases. Traveler and/or Purchaser name must match the name issued on the Discount Code. Credit card required for purchase.
Passengers: Valid for one $99 USD Companion Ticket when traveling with a second passenger on a paid fare, traveling together, and booked and ticketed at the same time in the same reservation.
Routes: Valid systemwide on flights operated by Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air.
Advance Purchase: Per applicable fare rule.
Purchase By: Expiration date on Discount Code.
Blackout Dates: Per applicable fare rule.
Minimum & Maximum Stay: Per applicable fare rules.
Flights: Valid only on flights operated by Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air and on PenAir between Anchorage and Dutch Harbor. Not valid on codeshare flights.
Taxes, Fees and Surcharges: Passenger is responsible for all applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges, including checked baggage fees.
Combinability: Not valid with any other discounts, including Discount Codes, coupons, discount programs, MyAccount online discount, or other arrangements.
Changes and Refunds: Changes and refunds are allowed per the applicable fare rule and may result in the forfeiture of the Discount Code.
Mileage Plan: Mileage Plan credit applies and upgrades are allowed.
Transferability: Discount Codes and tickets are not transferable. They may not be given to another individual, and may not be sold, bought, bartered, auctioned or collected in bulk. Any deemed by Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air to have been distributed or acquired improperly will not be honored and traveler will be liable for payment of full fare.
Additional Terms: All rules of Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, alaskaair.com, and the applicable fare rules not mentioned within these terms and conditions apply.
Other: Lost or stolen Discount Codes or tickets cannot be replaced. Alaska/Horizon has the final authority regarding redemption. Travel is subject to Alaska and Horizon contract of carriage. Terms and conditions as written herein are final and cannot be changed by any statement or representation of any unauthorized person, including employees of Alaska/Horizon or issuing organization. Other restrictions may apply and Alaska/Horizon reserves the right to suspend or change this offer without notice.
I summarized a few posts on the companion fare. I initially had some questions and went through some of the posts as well as asked Missydarlin. So I thought I would post it for future people. If there is something incorrect or perhaps is useful for the next person please add or let me know.
Extending a companion fare
Tickets must be booked by the expiry date but can be for travel up to 330 days in advance. So book 2 full-fare tickets (coach fare only with new certificates issued after Aug. 1, 2012) for travel 11 months in advance to any destination on AS. When you have decided when and where you want to go, call AS to change the tickets. Since the tickets are full-fare or first class the changes will be no charge. The tickets can be changed to a lower level ticket including hot fare and the destination can be changed as well. If the tickets are cheaper then the amount will be refunded to the same credit card.
However, the ticket can not be extended for another 330 days. Meaning, you can not keep on extending the companion certificate. Hence travel must be completed within the initial 330 day window of when you booked your initial ticket.
The current terms show the personal and business card are treated the same regarding booking dates and expiration dates. If you have a counterexample since 2024, please share. (At one time the business companion fare required travel completed by expiry date.)
One of the travelers can not go
If the revenue passenger can not go then the companion passenger can not go. The T&C of the companion fare is that the companion must travel with the revenue passenger. Changes can be made by calling AS but change fees apply. Changes can now be done on-line. If the companion passenger can not go, the revenue passenger can still go. If you want to use the companion certificate another time, a call has to be made to AS.
Name changes are allowed but must be called in for change and is subject to change fee($125 --exempt if the name change involves a passenger who has status).
Should status flyer be the revenue or companion ticket.
Since the companion ticket is dependent on the revenue ticket, the status flyer should be the companion fare unless the tickets are in full fare or first class. Why? If the companion traveler can not fly the companion coupon can be saved for future use. The status passenger is allowed to make changes at no charge. THERE IS DEBATE ABOUT THIS ANSWER
Do I have to be one of the passengers flying?
No, the T&C states that you must either be one of the passengers or the credit card booking the tickets be in your name. One poster mentioned that he did not travel or use his credit card when he let his father use it. However it that case I believe they shared the same last name.
Do you have to use the AS airline credit card when booking the companion fare?
Through September 30, 2019, no. "For companion fares issued on or after October 1, 2019, both the primary fare and the companion fare must be purchased using your Alaska Airlines credit card." Exceptions: Fare can also be paid with your Wallet funds or AS Gift cards.
Does the companion fare accrue points.
YES, both tickets accrue points on any frequent flyer plan that gives out points on AS flights ie AS, AA, DL, CX, BA etc
Is the companion fare upgradeable?
YES, depending on first class upgrade (U) inventory and by priority based on the status of the traveler. There has to be 2 upgradeable seats available. If using paper certificates there has to be 2 certificates. Both travelers must upgrade or none at all. At T-24, you will be added to the flight upgrade list upon checkin per normal procedure and upgrades will process in the usual order of priority.
companion fare and upgrade question
When will I get my Companion certificate?
Cancelling a companion fare
Rebook=kept in system however change fees may apply based on fare purchased.
Refund=gone
What class of fares can be booked?
All fares can be booked from "hot fares" to
Can the companion fare be used on a one-way, round trip, open jaw, OR multi-city?
Any of the above. Also, if you purchase RT, you can subsequently call to change to a one-way ticket and potentially get a credit for the fare that applies to the cancelled segments.
I don't want to change my travel now, is there a way to cancel & reissue the code?
It's not technically "reissued." It's basically encased in amber for reuse.
If you change more than 60 days from the date of travel, AND the companion has no status (sorry, spouse), you can reuse the companion cert by calling in, having the reservation split, and then re-deposting the primary traveler's airfare into My Wallet and keeping a record of the companion traveler's ticket number separately.
Then, to reuse the companion cert for the same companion on a different itinerary, you need to phone in and make the primary traveler's reservation, and pay with a credit card for the primary traveler's ticket. No My Wallet funds can be used. Then the companion's cert and fees are reattached and any difference in fees and taxes are collected/refunded.
If the primary traveler decides that he/she does not want to reuse the companion cert after canceling the original reservation (as long as it's done before the value of the companion cert/fees/taxes expires), the value of the fees/taxes of the companion cert can be redeposited into the primary traveler's My Wallet. But the cert itself is forfeited.
(from Seattlenerd. Thank you!)
What are the Terms and Conditions as issued by Alaska Air
Discount: Valid for one $99 USD Companion Ticket when traveling with another passenger on a paid airfare. Both passengers must be booked in the same itinerary, at the same fare, traveling together, and ticketed at the same time. Valid for round-trip or one-way travel. Valid on published fares. Not applicable to Mileage Plan Award Reservations, Alaska Airlines Vacation packages, tour or contract fares.
Reservations & Ticketing: Valid for new ticket purchases through alaskaair.com, Alaska Airlines Reservations, or Horizon Air Reservations. The Companion Ticket Discount Code is redeemed at time of ticketing and is void for future changes or purchases. Traveler and/or Purchaser name must match the name issued on the Discount Code. Credit card required for purchase.
Passengers: Valid for one $99 USD Companion Ticket when traveling with a second passenger on a paid fare, traveling together, and booked and ticketed at the same time in the same reservation.
Routes: Valid systemwide on flights operated by Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air.
Advance Purchase: Per applicable fare rule.
Purchase By: Expiration date on Discount Code.
Blackout Dates: Per applicable fare rule.
Minimum & Maximum Stay: Per applicable fare rules.
Flights: Valid only on flights operated by Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air and on PenAir between Anchorage and Dutch Harbor. Not valid on codeshare flights.
Taxes, Fees and Surcharges: Passenger is responsible for all applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges, including checked baggage fees.
Combinability: Not valid with any other discounts, including Discount Codes, coupons, discount programs, MyAccount online discount, or other arrangements.
Changes and Refunds: Changes and refunds are allowed per the applicable fare rule and may result in the forfeiture of the Discount Code.
Mileage Plan: Mileage Plan credit applies and upgrades are allowed.
Transferability: Discount Codes and tickets are not transferable. They may not be given to another individual, and may not be sold, bought, bartered, auctioned or collected in bulk. Any deemed by Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air to have been distributed or acquired improperly will not be honored and traveler will be liable for payment of full fare.
Additional Terms: All rules of Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, alaskaair.com, and the applicable fare rules not mentioned within these terms and conditions apply.
Other: Lost or stolen Discount Codes or tickets cannot be replaced. Alaska/Horizon has the final authority regarding redemption. Travel is subject to Alaska and Horizon contract of carriage. Terms and conditions as written herein are final and cannot be changed by any statement or representation of any unauthorized person, including employees of Alaska/Horizon or issuing organization. Other restrictions may apply and Alaska/Horizon reserves the right to suspend or change this offer without notice.
Companion Fare FAQ - Bank of America Mileage Plan Visa
Jul 9, 2014, 6:54 am
#257
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: GEG
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Lifetime SkyClub, AS MVP
Posts: 2,410
If there's only one seat left in the fare bucket that you want to buy, then you're not going to be able to use the companion fare discount at that price point. It will price at the next higher fare bucket (where two seats are available).
Jul 10, 2014, 7:35 am
#258
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 470
I would like to use companion with multi-city itinerary.
On some legs, I would like to purchase instantly upgradeable H fares, however on one leg I would like to purchase a K fare and take my chances with the upgrade as it is a short flight.
I can't get it to price out online - either I select "no preference" and it selects the lowest fare bucket available for all flights, or I select "gold upgrade" and it prices all segments in H.
Is it possible to purchase different fares for each segment?
On some legs, I would like to purchase instantly upgradeable H fares, however on one leg I would like to purchase a K fare and take my chances with the upgrade as it is a short flight.
I can't get it to price out online - either I select "no preference" and it selects the lowest fare bucket available for all flights, or I select "gold upgrade" and it prices all segments in H.
Is it possible to purchase different fares for each segment?
Jul 10, 2014, 9:30 pm
#259
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 470
I would like to use companion with multi-city itinerary.
On some legs, I would like to purchase instantly upgradeable H fares, however on one leg I would like to purchase a K fare and take my chances with the upgrade as it is a short flight.
I can't get it to price out online - either I select "no preference" and it selects the lowest fare bucket available for all flights, or I select "gold upgrade" and it prices all segments in H.
Is it possible to purchase different fares for each segment?
On some legs, I would like to purchase instantly upgradeable H fares, however on one leg I would like to purchase a K fare and take my chances with the upgrade as it is a short flight.
I can't get it to price out online - either I select "no preference" and it selects the lowest fare bucket available for all flights, or I select "gold upgrade" and it prices all segments in H.
Is it possible to purchase different fares for each segment?
-Searching for the segments I wanted using multi city.
-Leaving the "no preference" button checked and adding lowest fare bucket flights to cart.
-Once in cart, click the back button on the browser.
-Select "MVPG upgrade" for upgrade preferences.
-Only on the fares you would like to buy up to an upgradeable fare, click the radio button in the "Upgradeale, Lowest" column. Don't click anything for the other segments as the lowest coach fare will already be selected, but grayed out.
-Add to cart.
I still haven't been able to understand the routing rules for the companion cert. Some open jaws I try will not work (SEA-ATL; SFO-SEA), others will. I am able to add a fourth segment for certain city pairs, but not others.
Jul 10, 2014, 10:37 pm
#260
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
SEA-ATL, SFO-SEA is not a legal open jaw. In order for it to be a legal open jaw, the unflown segment (in your case ATL-SFO) has to be shorter than either of the flown segments. ATL-SFO is not shorter than SFO-SEA.
Jul 16, 2014, 11:46 am
#261
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
Hi folks, I just recently got a Alaska Air card through MBNA (the Canadian credit card). The card arrived this week but on my account there's no valid companion code yet.
Calling Alaska Air they're telling me it could take up to 2 weeks for the bank to issue the code and to call the bank. I called the bank and they're telling me it will be 20 days and its not issued through them but Alaska Airlines.
Meanwhile the flight prices are going up (I was trying to book a trip to hawaii for next month) and its cheaper now to just book through Hawaiian.
Have any Canadian card holders experienced this when trying to get the code? How long does it realistically take to see the code show up?
Calling Alaska Air they're telling me it could take up to 2 weeks for the bank to issue the code and to call the bank. I called the bank and they're telling me it will be 20 days and its not issued through them but Alaska Airlines.
Meanwhile the flight prices are going up (I was trying to book a trip to hawaii for next month) and its cheaper now to just book through Hawaiian.
Have any Canadian card holders experienced this when trying to get the code? How long does it realistically take to see the code show up?
Jul 16, 2014, 12:00 pm
#262
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
Alaska Airlines issues the actual Discount Code, but its done from a report issued by the bank. 2 weeks sounds about normal.
Jul 17, 2014, 2:41 pm
#263
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska 100K - MM, defender of shoes on the carpeted bulkhead 4ever, AA LT PLT, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia
Posts: 7,447
My discount code seems to be missing. It should expire at the end of the month. I went to apply it today and nothing and no new one has been added to my TH's account and hers expired a few weeks ago.
Jul 17, 2014, 5:53 pm
#264
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
Jul 17, 2014, 10:51 pm
#265
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Programs: AS MVP, Nexus
Posts: 155
Hi folks, I just recently got a Alaska Air card through MBNA (the Canadian credit card). The card arrived this week but on my account there's no valid companion code yet.
Calling Alaska Air they're telling me it could take up to 2 weeks for the bank to issue the code and to call the bank. I called the bank and they're telling me it will be 20 days and its not issued through them but Alaska Airlines.
Meanwhile the flight prices are going up (I was trying to book a trip to hawaii for next month) and its cheaper now to just book through Hawaiian.
Have any Canadian card holders experienced this when trying to get the code? How long does it realistically take to see the code show up?
Calling Alaska Air they're telling me it could take up to 2 weeks for the bank to issue the code and to call the bank. I called the bank and they're telling me it will be 20 days and its not issued through them but Alaska Airlines.
Meanwhile the flight prices are going up (I was trying to book a trip to hawaii for next month) and its cheaper now to just book through Hawaiian.
Have any Canadian card holders experienced this when trying to get the code? How long does it realistically take to see the code show up?
Jul 22, 2014, 3:05 pm
#266
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
Now sorry for the dumb question, but what happens with the companion code now that I've used it for a flight? There's no companion code under the 'valid' section anymore. Do I use the same code for any future flights I'd like to book or is it only possible to use the companion discount one trip at a time (vs booking another flight right now to let's say vegas before the Hawaii trip I already booked).
Is there a limit to the number of times per year that I can book a flight and add a companion code for the discount?
Jul 22, 2014, 3:16 pm
#267
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: AS Million Miler since 2011, Lifetime MVPG
Posts: 853
The code showed up Sunday night so not a bad turnaround at all, much better than the 2 week wait I was expecting. The flight went up in price but still a better deal than buying 2 tickets.
Now sorry for the dumb question, but what happens with the companion code now that I've used it for a flight? There's no companion code under the 'valid' section anymore. Do I use the same code for any future flights I'd like to book or is it only possible to use the companion discount one trip at a time (vs booking another flight right now to let's say vegas before the Hawaii trip I already booked).
Is there a limit to the number of times per year that I can book a flight and add a companion code for the discount?
Now sorry for the dumb question, but what happens with the companion code now that I've used it for a flight? There's no companion code under the 'valid' section anymore. Do I use the same code for any future flights I'd like to book or is it only possible to use the companion discount one trip at a time (vs booking another flight right now to let's say vegas before the Hawaii trip I already booked).
Is there a limit to the number of times per year that I can book a flight and add a companion code for the discount?
Aug 27, 2014, 2:36 am
#268
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YVR, BLI
Posts: 78
Anyone with experience in extending expiry of the companion fare? I'm about to book 2 refundable BLI-SEA tix for July 2015 as my companion fare expires early September. My idea travel date is actually Dec 2015, could I change the tickets in Jan 2015 from BLI-SEA to BLI-HNL (destination change) and also change the dates from Jul 2015 to Dec 2015?? If I can't change the dates, I guess I could always refund the tickets before Jul 2015...
Aug 27, 2014, 4:28 am
#269
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008
Anyone with experience in extending expiry of the companion fare? I'm about to book 2 refundable BLI-SEA tix for July 2015 as my companion fare expires early September. My idea travel date is actually Dec 2015, could I change the tickets in Jan 2015 from BLI-SEA to BLI-HNL (destination change) and also change the dates from Jul 2015 to Dec 2015?? If I can't change the dates, I guess I could always refund the tickets before Jul 2015...
Sep 17, 2014, 12:58 pm
#270
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: AS MVP, HH Diamond
Posts: 3,259
I'm noticing some verbiage in the CC offer that says 'Please allow 3-4 weeks after approval for the companion fare to post to your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account'. I don't remember this being there previously(but I do have a poor memory at times
). Has there been a change? Any recent reports of new card members having to wait this long for the companion cert?
). Has there been a change? Any recent reports of new card members having to wait this long for the companion cert?