Am I the ONLY one that actually USES the Companion Certs? Just upgraded to Plat AMEX
Dec 28, 2012, 12:48 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
Posts: 3,649
Use mine every year. I have the reserve delta card so it's a free companion in first or coach. Used it a few months ago for two tickets msp-lax-oak. Worked like a charm. Even my upgrades cleared the whole way
Dec 29, 2012, 5:07 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,106
I used mine for Christmas flights between SFO & DTW. Saved me $700+. I'm really thankful I was able to use the cert and get an actual really great value for it (and I didn't care about the upgrades, since there's always little chance of DM upgrades when there's FCM like crazy during the holiday season).
Hopefully they'll keep the program going into next year and continue to not black out holiday travel.
Hopefully they'll keep the program going into next year and continue to not black out holiday travel.
Dec 29, 2012, 8:14 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 672
I'm torn on using the reserve cert on a first class vs coach ticket. On one hand you obviously "save" a lot if you buy an F ticket. On the other hand you probably spend more than if you were buying 2 coach tickets it seems.
Also I assume this excuse for getting rid of the gold card was baloney. I like that they started promoting the heck out of this card and are now making it much less valuable. No companion cert, no spend threshold.
Also I assume this excuse for getting rid of the gold card was baloney. I like that they started promoting the heck out of this card and are now making it much less valuable. No companion cert, no spend threshold.
Dec 29, 2012, 8:29 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: DL FO, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 12,003
The last time I used mine was for a JFK-SFO trip and definitely validates the benefit of having the DL AMEX Platinum card! The one enhancement I would like to see on the companion ticket would be expanding the travel from the 48 states to destinations like SJU. @:-)
Dec 29, 2012, 5:00 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO
Posts: 1,719
I use mine every year. The GF travels with me a handful of times per year, and we'd never buy higher than LUT anyways, so it makes total sense for us. I get the MQMs and she gets a free flight except for taxes. For international trips I usually use miles for us. Basically I try to make all her tickets either on companion certs or miles since she doesn't accrue MQMs, and I try to take all the MQM flights possible.
Dec 29, 2012, 9:03 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FL, but want to Expatriate to SE Asia ASAP
Programs: WN,DL,AA,UA,B6,more!
Posts: 810
I use mine every year too. Just upgraded to reserve card and got my 2013 cert. Going to try for F redemption. Looking at transcon to LAS, SFO, LAX, or SAN. Also thinking of doing JFK-LAX/SFO in BE using the cert.
Still unknown at this point.
Used mine last year for my 30th down to MIA. Rented convertible using Hertz points and drove down to EYW for the weekend. Definitely would do again! ^
Foo
Still unknown at this point.
Used mine last year for my 30th down to MIA. Rented convertible using Hertz points and drove down to EYW for the weekend. Definitely would do again! ^
Foo
Dec 29, 2012, 9:49 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Green Bay, WI
Programs: DL Platinum, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Diamo... Globalist
Posts: 38
I always use my certificate, I also just added the reserve card to my wallet, so I'm looking forward to having to certs to use each year.
The only bad thing i've experienced is not getting on the upgrade list, which makes me mad until i think about how much money the cert is saving me.
The only bad thing i've experienced is not getting on the upgrade list, which makes me mad until i think about how much money the cert is saving me.
Jan 15, 2013, 12:27 pm
#27
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SEA - DL DM/2MM, *A Gold, SPG Lifetime Plat, some other car and hotel stuff
Posts: 5,649
A friend just told me that he can't use his cert which expires Jan 31. He didn't realize that travel needed to be completed by that date.
If anyone has use for a 2-for-1 cert with travel completed by Jan 31, PM me and I can put you in touch with him. Don't forget the LUT restrictions.
If anyone has use for a 2-for-1 cert with travel completed by Jan 31, PM me and I can put you in touch with him. Don't forget the LUT restrictions.
Jan 15, 2013, 2:13 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,492
I love these companion certificates too. My parents each have a Delta Amex and they let me use theirs. I always redeem them for JFK-LAX or JFK-SFO trips that are booked far in advance, which for $300-$400 total is a steal.
I actually think the US Airways companion certificate is more valuable though. There is no comparable fare-class (L, U, T) restriction, and the certificate is also good for travel to Canada, which can be very expensive. Plus you can add 2 companions for $99 each rather than just 1, and the companions also receive Dividend Miles along with the primary passenger (unlike with Delta).
I actually think the US Airways companion certificate is more valuable though. There is no comparable fare-class (L, U, T) restriction, and the certificate is also good for travel to Canada, which can be very expensive. Plus you can add 2 companions for $99 each rather than just 1, and the companions also receive Dividend Miles along with the primary passenger (unlike with Delta).
