Apr 9, 2013, 10:59 am
Last edit by: stheller
This benefit ends in October 2014. See THIS thread.
Please verify that you are posting in the correct thread.
This thread discusses a Companion Ticket benefit provided to Citi Premier and Prestige cardholders.
There is also a 15% Discount benefit, which is discussed in a separate thread:
New Citi Premier & Prestige 15% Off Travel when booked through Spirit Incentives
Both benefits can be booked online: http://www.thankyoucompanion.com/
Can also be booked by phone: (866) 428-4078, M-F 9a-6p ET, Sat 10a-1p ET. There are some reports that Delta results will not populate online but can be booked by phone, assuming it is among the lowest published fares.
Please verify that you are posting in the correct thread.
This thread discusses a Companion Ticket benefit provided to Citi Premier and Prestige cardholders.
There is also a 15% Discount benefit, which is discussed in a separate thread:
New Citi Premier & Prestige 15% Off Travel when booked through Spirit Incentives
Both benefits can be booked online: http://www.thankyoucompanion.com/
Can also be booked by phone: (866) 428-4078, M-F 9a-6p ET, Sat 10a-1p ET. There are some reports that Delta results will not populate online but can be booked by phone, assuming it is among the lowest published fares.
Citi Prestige card companion ticket
Jul 11, 2012, 2:21 pm
#151
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Jul 11, 2012, 3:20 pm
#152
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
Why would they manage the progam this way? It seems to have no purpose other than to inconvenience customers. Maybe that depresses redemption a little, but I think it mostly just creates inconvenience.
Jul 11, 2012, 3:48 pm
#153
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lodi, CA
Posts: 592
Is the International companion fare for economy only or for business class as well. Has anyone used this benefit? Any positive/negative experiences?
Jul 11, 2012, 5:04 pm
#154
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH diamond
Posts: 2,646
Jul 11, 2012, 8:24 pm
#155
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Traveling some where hopefully
Programs: AS, AA Gold, and Hilton
Posts: 1,954
Really? How the heck are the "available" flights selected? And can you call to get more inventory?
Why would they manage the progam this way? It seems to have no purpose other than to inconvenience customers. Maybe that depresses redemption a little, but I think it mostly just creates inconvenience.
Why would they manage the progam this way? It seems to have no purpose other than to inconvenience customers. Maybe that depresses redemption a little, but I think it mostly just creates inconvenience.
Jul 11, 2012, 8:32 pm
#156
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
I don't know I guess you would have to ask them. I do know when I've picked out a destination I usually follow it daily. Some days I have a choice of 4 DL, 3 UA and 6 AA the next day it could be 6 UA 1 DL and 3 AA. I will say I've never called. I do believe that's been brought up in the thread and people who have called were told no more inventory, what you see is what you can get?
My wife also has one of these Premier cards though, so I am still interested in figuring out a way to get more inventory displayed.
Jul 12, 2012, 7:20 am
#157
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Jul 12, 2012, 8:57 am
#158
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, UA Nobody, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,372
Jul 12, 2012, 9:15 am
#159
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
breakdown of benefit
My UA receipt actually indicates that Citi's travel agency paid $500.80 for my 2 tickets. The published fare was indeed $250.40, and I was billed $328.42. So my "free" ticket was $78.02. Not sure how you get to that amount -- it's obviously not "free" and it's hard to say I'm "just paying the taxes" -- but it's hard to complain about this "throwaway" benefit (we all got this card for the bonus points) that's saving me some genuine dinero.
Jul 12, 2012, 9:22 am
#160
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Jul 12, 2012, 10:03 am
#161
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: MSY
Posts: 83
They also were (are?) placing as surcharge on top of the taxes and fees a couple months ago that ranged from 10%-35%. I don't know if this is still the case as I used up my companion tickets for the year.
Jul 12, 2012, 10:30 am
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
Airfare: 202.80 USD
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 15.20
U.S. Flight Segment Tax: 11.40
September 11th Security Fee: 7.50
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 13.50
So they're definitely charging me me more than "the tax" for the free ticket.
I guess we could hire a class action lawyer in California to sue them and all get a refund check in 2016 for something like $3.28.
I shouldn't joke about it -- it might actually happen!
Jul 12, 2012, 11:02 am
#163
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, UA Nobody, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,372
Both are only economy, for the premier this is only domestic (48 states) but for prestige it is also international.
Oddly enough Spirit doesn't even offer business for the 15% discount benefit, only economy and first. Clearly the international thing was tacked on later by somebody who has never flown internationally and doesn't realise planes come with more than 2 cabins named as per the US domestic standard.
Jul 28, 2012, 11:01 am
#164
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: FL
Programs: AA, US, WN, Marriot, Hilton
Posts: 102
I am going to use free companion ticket for my wife on a trip which I will get reimbursed for (just my own air fare). So, I need to show them the receipt which shows how much I paid for the ticket. My question is what will show on the receipt? Will they give separate receipt for my ticket and the companion?
Jul 28, 2012, 12:25 pm
#165
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, UA Nobody, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,372
I am going to use free companion ticket for my wife on a trip which I will get reimbursed for (just my own air fare). So, I need to show them the receipt which shows how much I paid for the ticket. My question is what will show on the receipt? Will they give separate receipt for my ticket and the companion?
Ticket Price
$633.60 USD
Companion Ticket Price
$0.00 USD
Taxes & Fees
$232.76 USD
Total Price
$866.36 USD
Interestingly I added my UA MP number and my receipt on ua.com shows:
Fare Breakdown
Airfare: 528.00 USD
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 33.40
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
September 11th Security Fee: 2.50
Mexico Departure Tax: 37.44
Mexico Tourism Tax: 21.04
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 4.50
Per Person Total: 644.38 USD
eTicket Total: 1,288.76 USD