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
Feb 4, 2018, 11:35 am
#601
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 20
The normal offer is that the companion fare you get on sign up and then annually thereafter as a cardholder is buy one, get one for $100 plus taxes and fees (so call it $121). You get that every year as long as you hold the card.
The current offer is exactly the same except on sign up, the companion fare is buy one, get one free (not $100) plus taxes. So you save the $100 on the companion’s ticket the first year with this offer. After that, you get a companion code every year as usual, but the companion pays $121 thereafter.
The current offer is exactly the same except on sign up, the companion fare is buy one, get one free (not $100) plus taxes. So you save the $100 on the companion’s ticket the first year with this offer. After that, you get a companion code every year as usual, but the companion pays $121 thereafter.
Status: Pending
Feb 5, 2018, 10:55 pm
#602
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Hyatt Glb, MR Plat
Posts: 2,577
Bump on this question. Surely someone has requested to cancel one passenger on a companion ticket? I'm wondering if it's possible to keep the other ticket alive or not or at what cost.. TIA
i have a ticket booked on a companion fare that i might cancel. i am the primary traveler (MVPG) and the companion has no status. the 60 day window is creeping up soon. if i cancel inside 60 days, will i be able to get a credit certificate for the full value of my ticket + companion, or only my ticket?
i realize i will not get the companion code back and i do not care at this point.
a secondary question is, if i decide to travel, can i cancel the companion off the ticket and get a credit certificate back for their $99 'fare' plus taxes, while leaving my ticket intact? i would rather not cancel the whole thing and rebook because i'm already upgraded with GGUs (transcon).
i realize i will not get the companion code back and i do not care at this point.
a secondary question is, if i decide to travel, can i cancel the companion off the ticket and get a credit certificate back for their $99 'fare' plus taxes, while leaving my ticket intact? i would rather not cancel the whole thing and rebook because i'm already upgraded with GGUs (transcon).
Feb 8, 2018, 3:16 pm
#603
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 2
Any idea if I can use the companion fare to book flights with the same departure but different return flights? My SO and I are traveling SFO-KOA in June, but I intend to stay in Hawaii a few days longer.
An alternative would be to pay full fares for the return flights and book open jaw with the return from some other destination entirely, like SEA-SFO. If we did that, could we then change the return flight after taking the departure? Thanks!
An alternative would be to pay full fares for the return flights and book open jaw with the return from some other destination entirely, like SEA-SFO. If we did that, could we then change the return flight after taking the departure? Thanks!
Feb 9, 2018, 12:48 pm
#604
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 4
Questions about companion fare
I'm a total newbie to this so I have several questions.
1) Can Alaska Visa companion fares be used on Virgin America flights?
2) I booked flights on Alaska for myself, my husband and our daughter to go to Hawaii in August. When I booked the flights I signed up for the Alaska Signature Visa card as well and used that to purchase the flights. I have already spent the $1000 (not including the Alaska flights) required to get the companion fare, although that has not yet posted (I haven't completed my first statement cycle). When that companion fare posts, is there any way to apply it towards the flights I already purchased (even if that requires canceling and rebooking)?
3) I booked our flights for a Monday, but I see that now the flight for the day before has gone down in price. Right now we'd save $81 by moving to Sunday. That $81 would go into My Wallet. Can those funds be applied towards anything, including baggage fees, or onboard purchases such as food or internet?
3b) Alternatively, the $81 would expire in January of 2019. Right now I don't know when/where we may want to travel in 2019. Can I use the $81 My Wallet refund along with a companion fare to book a dummy flight, and then change it to whatever we actually want later? If so, what's the farthest out we can make those changes without losing value?
1) Can Alaska Visa companion fares be used on Virgin America flights?
2) I booked flights on Alaska for myself, my husband and our daughter to go to Hawaii in August. When I booked the flights I signed up for the Alaska Signature Visa card as well and used that to purchase the flights. I have already spent the $1000 (not including the Alaska flights) required to get the companion fare, although that has not yet posted (I haven't completed my first statement cycle). When that companion fare posts, is there any way to apply it towards the flights I already purchased (even if that requires canceling and rebooking)?
3) I booked our flights for a Monday, but I see that now the flight for the day before has gone down in price. Right now we'd save $81 by moving to Sunday. That $81 would go into My Wallet. Can those funds be applied towards anything, including baggage fees, or onboard purchases such as food or internet?
3b) Alternatively, the $81 would expire in January of 2019. Right now I don't know when/where we may want to travel in 2019. Can I use the $81 My Wallet refund along with a companion fare to book a dummy flight, and then change it to whatever we actually want later? If so, what's the farthest out we can make those changes without losing value?
Feb 9, 2018, 1:05 pm
#605
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,833
1) Yes, you can use the companion fare on VX flights
2) You can’t apply the companion code retroactively. You would have to cancel your existing booking and rebook using the companion code. The good news is there are no change fees if you are more than 60 days prior to travel. So if the price hasn’t gone up, cancel, deposit the refund into My Wallet and rebook using the companion code and pay for the new flights with the wallet funds.
3) No. wallet funds can only be used for new flight purchases (new bookings). You can’t use them for change fees or even for the fare difference if you just change your flights. From the website:
My wallet credits may be redeemed for new ticket purchases only and cannot be applied toward service fees, or as additional fare for exchanged or partially used tickets..
4) i would just leave it in your wallet for now. You have to book by the expiry date but travel can be for 365 days after that. So wait until you are closer to Jan, 2019 and, if you haven’t used it but then, book something in the future at that point and change it later when you know what you want. Just remember to make sure you change at least 60 days out to avoid the change fee.
2) You can’t apply the companion code retroactively. You would have to cancel your existing booking and rebook using the companion code. The good news is there are no change fees if you are more than 60 days prior to travel. So if the price hasn’t gone up, cancel, deposit the refund into My Wallet and rebook using the companion code and pay for the new flights with the wallet funds.
3) No. wallet funds can only be used for new flight purchases (new bookings). You can’t use them for change fees or even for the fare difference if you just change your flights. From the website:
My wallet credits may be redeemed for new ticket purchases only and cannot be applied toward service fees, or as additional fare for exchanged or partially used tickets..
4) i would just leave it in your wallet for now. You have to book by the expiry date but travel can be for 365 days after that. So wait until you are closer to Jan, 2019 and, if you haven’t used it but then, book something in the future at that point and change it later when you know what you want. Just remember to make sure you change at least 60 days out to avoid the change fee.
Feb 9, 2018, 2:26 pm
#606
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 4
4) i would just leave it in your wallet for now. You have to book by the expiry date but travel can be for 365 days after that. So wait until you are closer to Jan, 2019 and, if you haven’t used it but then, book something in the future at that point and change it later when you know what you want. Just remember to make sure you change at least 60 days out to avoid the change fee.
If I used the companion fare to make a reservation in January 2019 for, say, December 2019 and then changed that flight in October (or sooner) how far out could I book that changed flight? Would it be another year (so as far out as to October 2020)? Is there any limitation that prevents you from continually booking dummy flights until you have firm plans?
Feb 10, 2018, 3:45 pm
#607
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
I had a question about companion fare as well:
If the companion certificate is in my name, do I have to travel, or can I let someone else use it with a companion?
Many thanks!
If the companion certificate is in my name, do I have to travel, or can I let someone else use it with a companion?
Many thanks!
Feb 10, 2018, 4:04 pm
#608
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Got my answer.
From the Wiki:
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.
Mar 13, 2018, 11:41 am
#609
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 2,400
So I'm a little confused on ways to extend the ticket. Any new CF should be restricted to coach only and thus the previous method of buying a full fare ticket one year out and then rebooking with no fee is no longer applicable. However there's this other rule for changing the ticket at least 60 days prior to departure. But what if the CF discount has already expired since you made the original booking. Do you still have the ability to rebook the companion tickets? Or do you just lose it since it already expired. Thanks!
Thanks
Last edited by tatterdema; Mar 13, 2018 at 11:51 am
Mar 14, 2018, 1:46 pm
#610
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SFO/SJC
Posts: 247
Can someone please clarify the rules regarding multi-city, stopovers, and open jaws using a companion cert. I have a trip booked but still have time for free changes. I have a one-way booked (cert was expiring and this was the only certain trip), can I add more flights to it and make it an open jaw? obviously i have to pay more for the primary traveler to do that but the companion should remain at $99+tax. What am i allowed and not allowed to do? tried playing with the system but I don't see how to add more flights, will need to call and do not want to request something that is not per certificate fare rules.
Mar 14, 2018, 1:58 pm
#611
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SFO/SJC
Posts: 247
I did not see an answer to this, can someone with experience help out please. My BOA CF is about to expire, so I am thinking of booking the cheapest flight as far out as I can, then changing it when I decide where I actually want to go. Possible? Or do I lose it? I did search, but keep coming up with conflicting info.
Thanks
Thanks
Mar 15, 2018, 11:15 am
#612
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
B of A Companion Discount Code Valid if Card Cancelled?
I haven’t been using my B of A Alaska Air credit card, and can’t justify the annual fee. I have two companion discount codes showing in my AS Mileage Plan account, one from last year and one recently deposited. Will either or both be lost if I cancel my card?
Thanks.....
Thanks.....
Apr 20, 2018, 10:48 pm
#615
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,084