AMEX companion cert - only companion takes return flight?
Aug 9, 2018, 4:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AA Plat, National EE, Marriott Plat, HH Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 401
AMEX companion cert - only companion takes return flight?
Is it possible to just have my companion take the return flight, meaning if I don't show up will both tickets be canceled? Or will she still be able to fly.
Aug 9, 2018, 4:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: HSV
Programs: Bellevue Lifetime Premiere Mega Elite Supreme
Posts: 1,509
As long as you’re just a no-show and not a cancellation I can’t imagine them pulling the companion ticket — especially if you’re both checked in and the companion has a BP.
Aug 9, 2018, 4:51 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, AA, WP
Posts: 840
There's no requirement that you board together, so as long as you both take the outbound and you both check in for the return, and your companion boards, I can't see what reason they could have to throw your companion off the flight. So I think the answer is yes she can fly. I haven't ever heard of someone being back-charged for their companion if they miss the return...
Aug 9, 2018, 4:58 pm
#4
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
This topic comes up regularly. Can the deny companion flight? Yes. Will they? Can go either way.
Aug 9, 2018, 5:25 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Yes it has come up before but I don't recall a single report of anyone ever being removed from a flight. This would require a gate agent to do some real digging into the reservation and then go on board and remove someone. Those are both just not going to happen when a busy GA is focused on getting the flight out on time.
Aug 9, 2018, 5:40 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
granted, this was in 1986 on TWA, but I’ve certainly never even entertained the thought of doing it again ... and we’re still married ...
Aug 9, 2018, 6:12 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: HSV
Programs: Bellevue Lifetime Premiere Mega Elite Supreme
Posts: 1,509
I have posted on several occasions that this indeed happened — my conference was going for another day, but my then-girlfriend had to get back to work since she was out of vacation days; maybe half an hour after the flight was supposed to depart, she called the room from the front desk of the Dayton Marriott to have me come down to pay the airport cab
granted, this was in 1986 on TWA, but I’ve certainly never even entertained the thought of doing it again ... and we’re still married ...
(That’s all I got out of this story)
Aug 9, 2018, 7:01 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Aug 9, 2018, 7:03 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
Removing the companion isn't controversial, it's the opposite situation that is under discussion.
Aug 9, 2018, 7:29 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
I have posted on several occasions that this indeed happened — my conference was going for another day, but my then-girlfriend had to get back to work since she was out of vacation days; maybe half an hour after the flight was supposed to depart, she called the room from the front desk of the Dayton Marriott to have me come down to pay the airport cab
granted, this was in 1986 on TWA, but I’ve certainly never even entertained the thought of doing it again ... and we’re still married ...
Aug 9, 2018, 9:25 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
obviously it was a paper voucher ... only citing it in response to jdrtravel, confirming an instance when the companion was not allowed to fly without the primary passenger
Aug 10, 2018, 5:23 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,185
If it were me I would NOT call in advance. There is no issue if the companion misses the return flight but if the primary passenger misses the return flight then the companion is technically offside and could be pulled off the flight but doubtful given how busy a gate agent is.
Aug 10, 2018, 9:51 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
If it were me I would NOT call in advance. There is no issue if the companion misses the return flight but if the primary passenger misses the return flight then the companion is technically offside and could be pulled off the flight but doubtful given how busy a gate agent is.
I think the primary pax could just call and ask if it is possible to separate the ticket. If they say no then you try to just have the companion board, and I think you are right that the GA is very unlikely to notice. I don't think calling and asking will cause them to be on the lookout for your doing this or anything like that. If they say no when you call, just thank them and tell the agent to leave the reservation unchanged.