The Complete Guide To Airline Credit Cards and Companion Passes

Contents

1 Alaska Airlines
2 American Airlines
3 Delta Air Lines
4 Southwest Airlines
5 British Airways
6 Lufthansa
7 Virgin Atlantic
8 Bottom Line

Not only do airline credit cards help you earn frequent flyer miles, some will even offer companion passes so that you can bring a friend along for free or at a discount.

However, these companion certificates aren’t typical “buy one, get one” free deals. Some only cover certain cabin classes or regions. Others are earned if you meet spending requirements. And also, they might only apply to award tickets. So companion passes, if any, vary greatly from one airline credit card to the next.

In this guide, we’ll take a look into credit cards – by airline – that offer companion travel benefits and what you need to do to access them.

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Alaska Airlines

The The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card offers a companion ticket benefit that’s one of the easiest to use in the industry. Every year as a cardmember, you can book a companion fare from $121 ($99 and at least $22 in taxes and fees). The certificate is valid for travel in economy and must be redeemed within 12 months of the issue date. What’s more, both travelers will earn miles for their flights.

The fine print states that the primary traveler and their companion must be on the same itinerary. It also states that you – the cardholder – need to pay for the ticket, but you’re not required to be one of the travelers.

Welcome Bonus	40,000 miles when you spend $2,000 within your first 90 days.
Earning Rate	3x miles on Alaska purchases 1x miles on everything else
Other Benefits	1 free checked bag 50% off Alaska Lounge day passes 20% credit on inflight purchases
Foreign Transaction Fees	None
Annual Fee	$75

American Airlines

CITIBUSINESS® / AADVANTAGE® PLATINUM SELECT MASTERCARDAADVANTAGE AVIATOR RED

The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® comes with a $99 (plus taxes) economy companion ticket when you spend $30,000 or more within a membership year and upon card renewal.

CITIBUSINESS® / AADVANTAGE® PLATINUM SELECT MASTERCARD

The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® has a 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles offer. Make $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening to earn this bonus. See our valuation of AAdvantage miles are worth. You’ll easily receive at least $910 in value from these bonus miles.

The card earns 2 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, car rentals, cable and satellite providers, gas stations, and select telecommunications merchants. Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.

You’ll receive expected perks like no foreign transaction fees and your first checked bag for free on domestic American Airlines flights. Up to 4 companions traveling with you on the same reservation will also receive this free checked bag perk.

The $99 annual fee for this card is waived the first year.

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard as well as the AAdvantage Aviator Silver Card, include companion tickets if you reach spending requirements.

Aviator Red cardmembers get a $99 (plus taxes) companion certificate for roundtrip, domestic economy fare within the lower 48 states for making your first purchase within the first 90 days. You’ll get another companion certificate if you spend at least $20,000 annually.

Aviator Silver cardholders earn two companion certificates for $20,000 in annual spend.

Welcome Bonus	60,000 miles + a Companion Certificate when make your first purchase within the first 90 days.
Earning Rate	2x miles on AA purchases 1x miles on everything else
Other Benefits	1 free checked bag Preferred boarding 25% discount on inflight purchases
Foreign Transaction Fees	None
Annual Fee	$99

Delta Air Lines

DELTA SKYMILES® PLATINUM AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDDELTA SKYMILES® RESERVE AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card was one of the first to offer companion ticket benefits. Cardholders get a companion certificate every year that’s valid for one roundtrip itinerary in Main Cabin. You do have to pay taxes and fees, which will be $75 or lower. Unfortunately, the companion traveler won’t accrue miles for this flight.

DELTA SKYMILES^® PLATINUM AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card has an introductory offer for 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 MQMs after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. We value the 50k SkyMiles to be worth around $600.

This card earns 3 miles per $1 on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. It also earns 2 miles per $1 at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. You’ll earn 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Upon renewal of your card each year, you will receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. The cost of government imposed taxes and fees will be no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.

You and up to 8 travel companions get your first checked bag free on Delta flights. You’ll also receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.

You’ll also get an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓. There are no foreign transaction fees and the annual fee is $250. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.

Card Review

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card gives cardmembers a companion certificate every year that’s good for one roundtrip itinerary in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+ or First Class. The only thing you’ll have to pay is taxes and fees on the companion ticket, which is up to $75.

DELTA SKYMILES^® RESERVE AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has an offer for 50,000 bonus miles and 10K MQMs after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. We value these 50k SkyMiles to be worth around $600.

This card earns 3X Miles on Delta purchases and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.

Upon the annual renewal of your Card, receive a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate. *Payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.

You and up to 8 travel companions get your first checked bag free on Delta Flights. You’ll also receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.

This card gets a Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.

Another great benefit is the complimentary Delta Sky Club access. You’ll also get complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve Card.

There are no foreign transaction fees and the annual fee is $550. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.

Card Review

Southwest Airlines

Southwest offers an unlimited, “buy one, get one” pass on both paid and award tickets to their most loyal members. To get your hands on a Companion Pass, you’ll have to rack up 125,000 qualifying points or take 100 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year.

The good news is that the points you earn on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card count towards Companion Pass qualification.

SOUTHWEST RAPID REWARDS® PRIORITY CREDIT CARDSOUTHWEST RAPID REWARDS® PREMIER CREDIT CARDSOUTHWEST RAPID REWARDS® PLUS CREDIT CARD

SOUTHWEST RAPID REWARDS^® PRIORITY CREDIT CARD

Earn 50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. We value each Southwest point at an average 1.5 cents a piece, or $750 for the 50,000 points. The best value will be redemption for flights. As with most other airline rewards cards, point value can vary a lot depending on flight time, destination, etc.

You’ll also get 7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary, fast-track to elite status, and a $75 annual Southwest travel credit.

Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on Southwest Airline purchases. Also, earn 2 points for every $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, and on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. You’ll get 1 point for every $1 on all other purchases.

There are no foreign transaction fees with this card. Unfortunately, the $99 annual fee isn’t waived for the first year.

Card Review

SOUTHWEST RAPID REWARDS^® PREMIER CREDIT CARD

You’ll also get 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.

There are no foreign transaction fees with this card. Unfortunately, the $99 annual fee isn’t waived for the first year.

Card Review

SOUTHWEST RAPID REWARDS^® PLUS CREDIT CARD

You’ll also get 3,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.

Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on Southwest Airline purchases. Also, earn 2 points for every $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, and on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. You’ll get 1 point for every $1 on all other purchases. You’ll get 1 point for every $1 on all other purchases.

There are no foreign transaction fees with this card. Unfortunately, the $69 annual fee isn’t waived for the first year.

Card Review

British Airways

If you have the British Airways Visa Signature® Card, you earn a “Travel Together” companion ticket when you spend at least $30,000 within a calendar year. This ticket is good for roundtrip travel on flights originating and ending in the United States. You can redeem it for any class of service, but there are some restrictions. Including:

The cardholder and travel companion must be on the same flight in the same class of service.
You will be responsible for taxes and fees on both tickets, but only mileage for one will be deducted.
Only one Travel Together ticket can be earned in a 12-month period.

BRITISH AIRWAYS VISA SIGNATURE^® CARD

The British Airways Visa Signature^® Card has an offer for 100,000 bonus Avios. Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Earn an additional 25,000 Avios points after spending $20,000 within the first 12 months. We value 100k Avios to be worth around $1,500.

You earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL within your first 18 months from account opening. It’s 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when you book directly with the hotel within your first 18 months. Plus 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases. Read more about this card’s rewards program here.

When you spend $30,000 in a calendar year, you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.

There are no foreign transaction fees with this card and the annual fee is $95.

Card Review

Lufthansa

Get a companion ticket after your first purchase with the Barclaycard Lufthansa Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard®, and once every year after your card anniversary. This companion benefit only applies to economy travel departing from the United States to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. You’ll have to pay taxes and fees on both tickets, which could end up being hundreds of dollars.

Welcome Bonus	50,000 miles when you spend $3,000 within the first 90 months.
Earning Rate	2x miles with Miles & More 1x miles on everything else
Other Benefits	2 Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers every year Status fast track 15% off Hotels & Cars
Foreign Transaction Fees	None
Annual Fee	$89

Virgin Atlantic

The Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard recently added a new companion ticket perk. Similar to the one offered by British Airways, the Virgin Atlantic version is a spending-based, two-for-one pass. Make $25,000 in purchases within a membership year, and you’ll get a choice of a one-cabin upgrade from Economy Classic to Premium Economy on an award flight, or one matching companion fare in the same cabin class when you redeem miles for your ticket.

Cabin class is restricted based on your Flying Club tier status:

Basic Red can only redeem for Economy tickets.
Silver members can redeem for Economy or Premium Economy tickets.
Gold members can redeem for Economy, Premium Economy or Upper Class.

Don’t forget, you still have to pay taxes and fees for both tickets, which can cost thousands of dollars!

Welcome Bonus	60,000 miles when you spend $2,000 within the first 90 months.
Earning Rate	3x miles on Virgin Atlantic purchases 1.5x miles on everything else
Other Benefits	Status fast track
Foreign Transaction Fees	None
Annual Fee	$90

Bottom Line

Along with welcome bonuses and travel benefits, companion passes are a great reason to get an airline credit card. Before you apply for one, however, we recommend reading the fine print carefully. Make sure you’ll be able to maximize the companion travel perk, especially if the card restricts this feature to certain classes of service and geographical regions.

If you find a card that offers a companion certificate that matches your travel style, it could potentially save you hundreds, maybe even thousands, of dollars on flights each year.

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