AMEX Delta Companion certificate Consolidated Thread
Apr 19, 2018, 7:12 pm
#2116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Mine was a good deal for a trans-con FC ATL to SFO. Not unhappy with the value at 1200 dollars. I just think it is silly that Delta won't take their OWN Gift Cards while using the companion certificate. Someone already gave them 200 dollars. It's cash to Delta. It was already paid for. AMEX reimbursing them for the value of the flight isn't altered.
My guess is it's part of Amex recovering as much as it can for the cost of the certs as they maximize the transaction fee they can collect.
As others have said, still a good deal.
Apr 19, 2018, 7:23 pm
#2117
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,235
Exactly. I can’t figure out how some people can’t figure this out. It is an AMEX promotion. Why would Amex sponsor something that they don’t get obtain some revenue Not too difficult to understand. If you can plan in advance it should well pay for the cost of the Amex annual fee. Plus the other benefits.
Apr 20, 2018, 7:58 am
#2118
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SE USA
Programs: DL DM/MM , IHG Plat, MR Titanium, HH Gold, EK Frequent Kettle, UA Silver, AA Hater
Posts: 2,020
Now that you can use RUC's on companion tickets, I guess you have to call to see what is available, book the coach ticket online, then call back to have the certs applied?
Apr 22, 2018, 6:46 am
#2119
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: midwest
Posts: 76
I am tall with very long legs. To avoid extreme discomfort I pay to fly in the comfort plus seats. For the first time I am going to use a companion pass provided by American Express Platinum CC. Before I reserve I have a couple of questions. Hopefully you more experienced travelers will have the answers. From my understanding I cannot reserve main cabin seats for both myself and companion and then pay extra to upgrade to comfort plus? However, can the companion pass be used to reserve exit row seats?
I apologize if this has been discussed before; I did search both here and Google and cannot find an answer.
Many thanks.
I apologize if this has been discussed before; I did search both here and Google and cannot find an answer.
Many thanks.
Apr 22, 2018, 7:55 am
#2120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,061
Do you have any sort of DL status? Exit row seats are just preferred seats and can be chosen at purchase by DL Medallions. If not, preferred seats are available for purchase at 45 days prior to flight. Don't see why you wouldn't be able to purchase them on a companion pass as they are not a separate fare class.
Apr 22, 2018, 8:41 am
#2121
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: midwest
Posts: 76
Do you have any sort of DL status? Exit row seats are just preferred seats and can be chosen at purchase by DL Medallions. If not, preferred seats are available for purchase at 45 days prior to flight. Don't see why you wouldn't be able to purchase them on a companion pass as they are not a separate fare class.
Apr 22, 2018, 9:47 am
#2122
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PIT, BWI, or IPT
Programs: Dividend Miles, WorldPerks
Posts: 1,302
Apr 29, 2018, 7:22 pm
#2123
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: IHG Amb, MR Plat, FB Silver
Posts: 138
Hadn't looked into using Skymiles for a couple of years. I'm mostly interested in rotes form Europe in C.
Seems like a disaster now:
Seems like a disaster now:
- Korean Air only release 1 C seat per flight
- Aeroflot doesn't release anything longhaul
- Can't find any availability on Aeromexico
- Lots of phantom availability on delta.com
Apr 29, 2018, 7:42 pm
#2124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Hadn't looked into using Skymiles for a couple of years. I'm mostly interested in rotes form Europe in C.
Seems like a disaster now:
Seems like a disaster now:
- Korean Air only release 1 C seat per flight
- Aeroflot doesn't release anything longhaul
- Can't find any availability on Aeromexico
- Lots of phantom availability on delta.com
SU has just been very recent, not sure what is going on there. They used to have great availability, although connection times/YQ weren't the greatest.
Where/when are you interested in? Also are you simply going by what delta.com shoes or by calling in?
I regularly book JNB-EUROPE-PVG OR CAN-AKL or CHC for 90k. It's a matter of knowing what cities are best.
Apr 30, 2018, 5:56 pm
#2125
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: IHG Amb, MR Plat, FB Silver
Posts: 138
I was searching Aeromexico AMS-MEX and found one date, May 10 available. Better availability from MAD, but it cuts off completely after 4-5 months, is that typical for AM to release seats only for the next 4 months? I like to plan my trips further ahead.
Yes, everything isn't so bad, there seems to be reasonable availability on CI, 9W, GA and VN to Asia. Mostly searched on delta.com and called a couple times.
I'm looking for lesser known destinations which are expensive using cash but good deal with miles.
Yes, everything isn't so bad, there seems to be reasonable availability on CI, 9W, GA and VN to Asia. Mostly searched on delta.com and called a couple times.
I'm looking for lesser known destinations which are expensive using cash but good deal with miles.
Apr 30, 2018, 6:00 pm
#2126
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
I was searching Aeromexico AMS-MEX and found one date, May 10 available. Better availability from MAD, but it cuts off completely after 4-5 months, is that typical for AM to release seats only for the next 4 months? I like to plan my trips further ahead.
Yes, everything isn't so bad, there seems to be reasonable availability on CI, 9W, GA and VN to Asia. Mostly searched on delta.com and called a couple times.
I'm looking for lesser known destinations which are expensive using cash but good deal with miles.
Yes, everything isn't so bad, there seems to be reasonable availability on CI, 9W, GA and VN to Asia. Mostly searched on delta.com and called a couple times.
I'm looking for lesser known destinations which are expensive using cash but good deal with miles.
Last edited by flyerCO; Apr 30, 2018 at 6:47 pm
May 1, 2018, 4:13 pm
#2127
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 827
Has anyone had any luck recently upgrading on AF from PE to J using DL miles?
I'm confused by the language on DL's site, that an UG with miles is only possible on AF/KL-operated flights when the fare class is Y, B, or M. PE wouldn't be one of those....
If it's even possible, I'm also wondering if it's better to try to book the flight and UG all at once--i.e. talking to the medallion desk--or there's no difference, and I can safely book the flight first then call DL (or AF?) later on for the UG. In other words, is inventory an issue, and something agents at DL or AF can see?
I'm confused by the language on DL's site, that an UG with miles is only possible on AF/KL-operated flights when the fare class is Y, B, or M. PE wouldn't be one of those....
If it's even possible, I'm also wondering if it's better to try to book the flight and UG all at once--i.e. talking to the medallion desk--or there's no difference, and I can safely book the flight first then call DL (or AF?) later on for the UG. In other words, is inventory an issue, and something agents at DL or AF can see?
May 1, 2018, 7:39 pm
#2128
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Westchester county, NY
Programs: DL DM, MAR gold
Posts: 175
Used the reserve companion certificate for HPN-ATL-EYW (Westchester - Key West) for a weekend of diving. Was good value as economy was ~$800 and first was $1000 so got both first seats for under $1100 with tax. Bonus is you can arrive at both airports about 30 minutes before departure time, so the certificate even added efficiency (compared to less-expensive itinerary options).
May 1, 2018, 8:56 pm
#2129
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Has anyone had any luck recently upgrading on AF from PE to J using DL miles?
I'm confused by the language on DL's site, that an UG with miles is only possible on AF/KL-operated flights when the fare class is Y, B, or M. PE wouldn't be one of those....
If it's even possible, I'm also wondering if it's better to try to book the flight and UG all at once--i.e. talking to the medallion desk--or there's no difference, and I can safely book the flight first then call DL (or AF?) later on for the UG. In other words, is inventory an issue, and something agents at DL or AF can see?
I'm confused by the language on DL's site, that an UG with miles is only possible on AF/KL-operated flights when the fare class is Y, B, or M. PE wouldn't be one of those....
If it's even possible, I'm also wondering if it's better to try to book the flight and UG all at once--i.e. talking to the medallion desk--or there's no difference, and I can safely book the flight first then call DL (or AF?) later on for the UG. In other words, is inventory an issue, and something agents at DL or AF can see?
May 1, 2018, 10:03 pm
#2130
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta 2M DM, Southwest A List and CP
Posts: 1,102
Yes, that's right. Prepare yourself for very poor upgrade availability for longer flights, even if it is a long time out.