$99 Companion Certificate Worth Anything?
Jun 16, 2019, 1:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: Delta Gold
Posts: 159
$99 Companion Certificate Worth Anything?
Hey amigos, I have the Barclays AA card (which I am planning to get rid of because of the discontinuation of the EQD bonus). I understand if I spend $20K in a year then I'll get a $99 Companion Certificate.
Is this certificate easy to use? Obviously if I'm booking a $500 fare it's a good deal but my experience with other airlines is that these certificates are often a PITA to put to good use. Bottom line - is it worth it to hang onto this card to get the cert? Or are these things vaporware?
Is this certificate easy to use? Obviously if I'm booking a $500 fare it's a good deal but my experience with other airlines is that these certificates are often a PITA to put to good use. Bottom line - is it worth it to hang onto this card to get the cert? Or are these things vaporware?
Jun 16, 2019, 2:13 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,038
Very easy to use. There's a few blackout dates during the year, but other than that, it's good for any Main Cabin Economy Domestic (Lower 48) ticket.
Jun 16, 2019, 3:07 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 89
W just used 2 $99 companion certificates. Travel had to be 14+ days out.
We had to call to book the flights and then mail in the paper coupon.
It was very easy and the itinerary showed up immediately. A few days later it was formally ticketed and confirmed to us.
We booked ORD-BGR about 6 weeks prior to travel in late July. Tickets were running $561 so we feel we got very good value.
$759 for $1683 ticket value.
We had to call to book the flights and then mail in the paper coupon.
It was very easy and the itinerary showed up immediately. A few days later it was formally ticketed and confirmed to us.
We booked ORD-BGR about 6 weeks prior to travel in late July. Tickets were running $561 so we feel we got very good value.
$759 for $1683 ticket value.
Jun 16, 2019, 8:03 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,038
Jun 17, 2019, 9:46 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 759
I was able to book 3 tickets this year that were about $700 each, so definitely saved some money. But keep an eye for the blackout dates, there are quite a few. Also, must the roundtrip in and out of the same city. Can't be open jaw. Had no problem upgrading, though.
Jun 17, 2019, 10:22 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,944
Jun 17, 2019, 11:08 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
Super easy. Love to use it when work pays for my flight to somewhere fun for a conference and I can bring people cheap! It's also very easy to book and I and my companions have always been upgraded as well.
Jun 17, 2019, 12:45 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,038
Jun 17, 2019, 7:08 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
There are no capacity controls - just need at least 2 seats available in the booking code. Other than a few blackout dates, easy to use. You have to call and book and then mail in the certificate. The companion is not supposed to be eligible for upgrade.. So you may have to split the reservation at the gate. The companion ticket is about $149 (not $99) after you add taxes.