How airline companion tickets can save you money on your next trip

If you’ve been searching for a way to get the most bang for your buck on your next big trip, one of the best ways to do so is with airline credit card companion tickets.

In addition to helping travelers earn free flights by racking up frequent flyer miles, some airline credit cards offer companion certificates or discounts so cardholders can bring a companion along for free.

These aren’t your average BOGO deals, though. Some companion tickets are restricted to certain regions or cabin classes, while others are based on credit card spending or are only good for award tickets.

Here’s a look at the airline credit cards that offer companion tickets as a benefit and what you’ll need to do to earn and maximize them for your travels.

Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines offers a companion ticket through its cobranded credit cards. The personal and business versions come with a Companion Fare, which starts from $122 ($99 fare, plus taxes and fees from $23) and is reissued annually after spending at least $6,000 within the prior anniversary year.

Sometimes, Alaska offers an additional Companion Fare as part of a welcome bonus on the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card

Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Annual fee: $95

Companion ticket benefit: The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card comes with a companion ticket benefit that’s one of the easiest to understand and use. Every year you carry this card and spend $6,000 within the prior anniversary year, you are entitled to an annual companion fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees, usually about $23).

The rules stipulate that the primary traveler and their companion must be booked on the same itinerary. While the cardholder does not need to be one of the travelers, you must pay for the tickets using the corresponding Alaska Visa card.

The companion fare is valid for travel in economy only, and it must be redeemed within 12 months of the issue date, but travel can take place afterward.

What’s great about this benefit is that both the primary traveler and the companion will earn full mileage credit for their flights. In addition, both tickets are eligible for upgrades if you have Alaska elite status or want to use a pair of the carrier’s Gold Guest Upgrades.

Other benefits: This card earns a considerable 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging station, cable, streaming services, and local transit (including ride-hailing purchase) and 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else.

It has no foreign transaction fees and provides a free checked bag on Alaska flights for the cardholder and up to six other guests on the same reservation.

Check out our full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa for more details.

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Apply here: Alaska Airlines Visa

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Alaska Airlines Visa Business card

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Annual fee: $70 for the company and $25 per additional card

Companion ticket benefit: The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card offers an identical companion ticket benefit: Spend $6,000 within the prior anniversary year and you’ll receive an annual companion fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees, usually about $23).

Other benefits: Earn 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, EV charging stations, shipping and local transit (including ride-hailing purchases) and 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else. Receive a free checked bag for you and up to six companions.

Check out our full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card for more details.

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Apply here: Alaska Airlines Visa Business card

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American Airlines

Barclays offers two different American Airlines companion tickets through its cobranded cards: AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® and the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard®.

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite Mastercard

Welcome bonus: The Silver is only available through a product change. The Aviator Red is currently offering 70,000 bonus miles after you make your first purchase and pay the $99 annual fee in full within 90 days.

Annual fee: $99 for the Aviator Red card; $199 for the Aviator Silver

Companion ticket benefit: Every account anniversary, Aviator Red cardholders who spend $20,000 in a year will receive a $99 (plus taxes and fees) Companion Certificate for a round-trip domestic economy fare within the 48 contiguous United States. (Alaska and Hawaii residents can travel from their home state to the 48 contiguous states.)

Meanwhile, Silver cardholders can earn two of these certificates with $20,000 annual spending.

In either case, your account must remain open for 45 days after your anniversary date to qualify for the Companion Certificate.

Other benefits: The Aviator Red card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else. The Aviator Silver card earns 3 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.

Both cards offer a first free checked bag on domestic flights, priority boarding, inflight Wi-Fi credits and discounts on other inflight purchases.

The information for the AAdvantage Aviator Silver and the AAdvantage Aviator Red has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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Learn more: AAdvantage Aviator Red full review

Learn more: AAdvantage Aviator Silver full review

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Delta

Delta provides a companion ticket benefit on a few of its cobranded cards for cardholders to utilize on trips. These include the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, as well as the business versions of each respective card.

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee: $350 (see rates and fees)

Companion ticket benefit: The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card has offered one of the longest-standing companion ticket benefits, and it’s still one of the best options out there. It can be used for travel to all 50 U.S. states (including Hawaii and Alaska), Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean each year after renewal of your card.

You must pay taxes and fees, though they’re capped at $80 for round-trip domestic flights and $250 for round-trip international flights.

Other benefits: This card earns 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Cardholders also earn 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Cardholders get a free checked bag for themselves and up to eight companions on the same Delta flight reservation, plus 20% savings on inflight purchases and Priority Boarding on Delta flights.

You can find more details on the card in our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex.

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Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex

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Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership.

Annual fee: $650 (see rates and fees)

Companion ticket benefit: With its much higher annual fee, you can expect a better companion ticket benefit with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card. Each year you renew, you’ll receive a companion certificate good for one round-trip itinerary in first class, Delta Comfort+ or Main Cabin and Premium Select on select eligible routes.

You’ll only be responsible for taxes and fees on the second ticket, up to $80 for round-trip domestic flights and $250 for round-trip international flights.

Other benefits: This card’s main benefit is that it offers Delta Sky Club access when traveling on flights marketed or operated by Delta. You also receive four one-time guest passes each year and can bring two guests for $50 each.

The card’s other benefits are mostly in line with those of the Platinum version. However, it also provides complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta with a ticket purchased on the card.

For more details, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex.

Effective Feb. 1, 2025, Reserve cardmembers will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on Feb. 1, 2025, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between Jan.1, 2024 and Dec. 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter.

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Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex

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Delta business credit cards

Note that Delta offers business versions of the two personal cards listed above: the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. The companion ticket benefits on these cards are identical to their respective personal counterparts above, so if you have a small business, either could be a good option for traveling with a companion.

Related: Best Delta credit cards

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Frontier Airlines

Frontier announced it would begin offering a companion pass to elite status members in its Frontier Miles program starting in mid-2025.

Frontier Miles members at the top two levels of status with the program, Elite Platinum or Elite Diamond, will earn the ability to bring a companion on board any flight for free once the perk is launched.

This adds instant value to holding Frontier status, as the companion pass will be bookable for no extra cost (aside from standard taxes and fees paid on a typical award ticket) as long as there’s a seat available on the flight.

To earn Frontier Elite Platinum status, you have to accumulate 50,000 elite status points. You’ll earn 10 status points per dollar spent with Frontier, or you can earn elite status points outside of Frontier purchases if you hold the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®.

Frontier Airlines World Mastercard

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 miles when you spend $500 on purchases and pay the annual fee in full within 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $99

Companion ticket benefit: While there isn’t a companion ticket benefit offered by the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard outright, you can fast-track your way to elite status (thus, the companion benefit) by spending with the card. You’ll earn 1 elite status point for every dollar spent on the card, which can help you climb up toward Elite Platinum tier.

Plus, you receive instant Frontier Miles Elite Gold status with the card, which is one tier below Elite Platinum — the level you need to earn the companion pass.

Other benefits: This card earns 5 miles on eligible purchases with FlyFrontier.com, 3 miles on eligible restaurant purchases and 1 mile on all other purchases.

You’ll also receive a $100 flight voucher on every account anniversary if you spend $2,500 or more on purchases with your card during the card membership year.

You’ll also receive two free checked bags on Frontier flights and priority boarding. The card does not charge foreign transaction fees.

The information for the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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Learn more: Frontier Airlines World Mastercard full review

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Hawaiian Airlines

While not the most lucrative companion benefit on this list, the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® does offer a one-time discount on companion fare that may be useful if leveraged strategically.

Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard

Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.

Annual fee: $99

Companion ticket benefit: The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard offers a one-time 50% companion discount to new cardholders. The companion discount is good for a full coach round-trip fare for a companion traveling on the same itinerary between Hawaii and North America. Although this 50% off companion discount isn’t as great as some of the companion fares listed here, it still represents substantial savings for two people traveling together.

In addition to this one-time 50% companion discount, cardholders are eligible for an annual $100 companion discount for round-trip travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines.

Other benefits: This card earns 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on gas, dining and grocery store spending and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Cardholders also get two free checked bags on flights operated by Hawaiian Airlines.

Additionally, cardholders pay no foreign transaction fees abroad and can share miles with friends and family without a fee.

The information for the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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Learn more: Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard full review

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Southwest

Southwest’s popular Companion Pass is made easier to earn when you hold one of its three consumer cards: the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.

Welcome bonus: All three consumer Southwest credit cards offer an identical welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 bonus points and a $400 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening.

Annual fee: $69 (Plus), $99 (Premier) and $149 (Priority)

Companion ticket benefit: Southwest’s famed Companion Pass is essentially an unlimited two-for-one pass on both paid and award tickets. It’s valid for the calendar year you earn it, plus the following one. You can achieve it by racking up 135,000 qualifying points or taking 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.

The good news is that welcome bonuses and points earned by spending on Southwest’s cobranded credit cards count toward this qualification threshold. Some savvy spending can get you the Southwest Companion Pass faster than you think.

Other benefits: Despite their different annual fees, these three cards offer a similar suite of benefits.

The Priority comes with a $75 annual Southwest travel credit. The Premier and Priority cards offer the opportunity to earn Tier Qualification Points based on spending (1,500 for each $5,000 spent annually) and waive foreign transaction fees.

All three offer anniversary bonuses ranging from 3,000 points with the Plus to 7,500 with the Priority. Here’s a handy comparison of all three.

Small businesses can also earn points toward this perk. Points earned on the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card and the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card also count toward the carrier’s Companion Pass.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

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Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

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Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier full review

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International airlines

Of course, companion tickets aren’t just awarded to those with credit cards from U.S.-based airlines. Some international carriers offer cards with similar perks available to U.S. applicants. These could go a long way toward offsetting the costs of your next trip overseas.

British Airways Visa Signature

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Annual fee: $95

Companion ticket benefit: Travelers who hold the British Airways Visa Signature® Card can earn the carrier’s “Travel Together” companion ticket every calendar year in which they spend $30,000 or more on purchases. This ticket is basically a two-for-one award ticket for round-trip travel on British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus flights originating and ending anywhere these airlines fly. It can be redeemed for any class of service, though there are some restrictions.

Only one voucher can be earned per 12-month period. The cardholder and their 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. The credit card account must also be open and in good standing when you redeem it.

Though this can be a great deal for saving on premium awards, remember that taxes and fees on British Airways tickets can add up. Luckily, cardholders are eligible for statement credits to offset these fees: $100 for economy and premium economy and $200 for business and first-class seats. These credits can be claimed up to three times per calendar year.

Other benefits: In addition to the usual benefits, like no foreign transaction fees, the card offers contactless pay and the typical Visa Signature travel protections.

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Apply here: British Airways Visa

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Lufthansa

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in purchases and paying the annual fee within the first 90 days.

Annual fee: $89

Companion ticket benefit: The Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard® also offers a companion benefit — and the great thing is that you are eligible for it after your first purchase and automatically every year after your account anniversary.

That said, it’s only eligible for economy travel from the U.S. to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. It applies only to H, M, Y or B fare codes. These are non-discount economy fares, which can be more expensive than the lowest-priced option. Cardholders must also pay all taxes and fees on both tickets, which can be hundreds of dollars.

Other benefits: This card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on tickets purchased from airlines that participate in the Miles & More program, like Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines. It earns 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else and carries no foreign transaction fees.

Cardholders receive two one-time Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers upon first purchase, plus every account anniversary after the annual fee payment. If you’re going for Miles & More elite status, primary cardholders are eligible to convert award miles into status miles at a ratio of 5:1 for a maximum of 25,000 award miles.

The information for the Miles & More World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

In addition to welcome bonuses and travel perks, companion certificates can be a compelling reason to apply for an airline credit card. Before you do, though, review the terms and conditions carefully to make sure that you will be able to maximize this benefit’s value.

Many companion certificates are restricted to specific classes of service, geographical regions and time constraints, which can all limit their usefulness.

However, if you find one that matches your needs, a credit card companion certificate can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on airline travel each year and might be well worth it.

Related: How to save hundreds on flights with the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex, click here.