iahphx

So I'm looking at a possible itinerary, and the thankyoucompanion website is giving me the regular fares (although they seem to be marking up the "taxes and fees" on the companion by about $40). But the flight options they give me are funky -- almost random. They're even ignoring a bunch of nonstops for more expensive connecting flights! If I call, can I get different flights? They're not more expensive that what's being presented on the website.

pedro colizzle

If you call, the reps will tell you they see the same inventory you see on the website.

iahphx

That's not good. Anyway to manipulate the input? Like I was looking for a way to pick the time of day I wanted to travel to get closer to my preferred flight time, but that function did not seem to exist.

I can't think of a reason why Citi would want to restrict the award in this way, other than programming incompetence.

cliff9973

A few posts have already mentioned you earn AA miles on both the paid and companion ticket, but I just wanted to reconfirm, because I have used Spirit Incentives in the past (a few years ago now, outside of Citi) and you definitely didn't earn miles on the free ticket. Is it different for the Citi sponsored program, or is it carrier specific (interested primarily in United)? I'm interested primarily in earning EQM for both tickets.

Thanks!

dw

Another datapoint-- I had luck booking a TY companion ticket on AA JFK-SFO.

The lowest fare from AA booked into O class and was $317 all in. $317 was also the lowest fare offered from UA, DL, VX and B6 on my travel dates, and I was offered options from each airline through the Spirit online booking engine. Unfortunately, only 2 AA options were offered for each of the outbound and the return, even though when I checked with AA, every flight on each travel day was the same price.

My total for the two tickets through Spirit was $414, so a savings of $220, so I definitely feel like I received sufficient value from this benefit for this year, even if I had paid the annual fee (I just got the card, so the fee is waived for the first year).

I was able to enter the AAdvantage numbers for each flyer on the Spirit website, the itinerary immediately showed up as linked to my account on AA.com (and the e-ticket receipt through AA shows that the tickets were booked into O class), and I was able to request upgrades using my 500-mi stickers.

dw

As an update, the charge for the 2 tickets posted to my Citi account with the merchant simply listed as "Spirit Incentives", with no extra information (such as flight routing information) listed.

I'm comparing this to when you purchase directly from an airline, travel agent, or online travel agent, where the charge usually identifies the airline, dates travelling, fare class, and flight routing information.

Based on there being none of this information on my statement, I will assume that I will not be earning flight points for this ticket. (I know there is inconclusive and conflicting information in this thread as to whether one earns flight points on the first ticket.)

am23

I just purchased tickets using Spirit Incentives for the first time recently. I agree that my Citi account shows the transaction as "Spirit Incentives" without any flight details. However, I also just bought a ticket off of United.com which shows up under United on my transaction list and doesn't have any flight info either.

My recollection is that the flight details are on the statement for the billing cycle that includes the actual flight (not the purchase) but will check in a few months.

mia

The flight details appear as part of the purchase transaction details. Are you looking at the transaction on Citi's website or on the PDF (or printed) statement?

am23

Good call. I was looking at the transaction on Citi's website but the details do appear on the PDF. Guess I'll have to wait for the current billing period to close and check the actual statement.

budblab

My details did not show up on the printed statement or PDF. Is there a way to fax in the boarding pass to get flight points on the purchased ticket?

jk2

The same issue here. I've purchased a companion ticket through Spirit, paid with my Citi Premier card, and didn't get any flight points. At least, I got airline miles (SkyMiles) for both tickets.

Kay_nyc

Hi,
I just got the Premier Card a few months ago and completed the minimum spend for the card. Is the companion cert already available for my use, or do I have to wait until my 1st anniversary with the card?
Also, is this companion cert useful, or are the terms and conditions restrictive enough to make it useless?
Thanks!
Kay

5DMarkIIguy

https://www.thankyoucompanion.com/ss...l/gateway.rvlx

you can start using it right away. No need for a paper cert.
Useful. Not exactly half off due to tax and limitation on some airlines, but a good saving.
The 15% is also very useful.

Kay_nyc

Thanks! That's actually great news. Can I look at routings online, or do I have to give them a call?

mia

I have transplanted Kay_nyc's question into the established thread on this topic. Reviewing old posts should help set realistic expectations. Self service booking is available at the URL included in 5DMarkIIguy's reply.