Delta annual companion ticket: How you can earn it and save money
Editor's Note
Who doesn't love a good buy one, get one deal? If you have the right credit cards, these BOGO deals even exist on airline tickets.
We keep several credit cards in our wallets because they offer some form of an airline companion certificate for when we need to buy tickets with cash and want to ensure a good deal.
For example, the lineup of Delta American Express cards includes several that come with an annual companion certificate at each renewal. These cards also offer elevated welcome bonuses, making this the perfect time to learn what they can do to help you travel more for less.
Related: Best Delta credit cards
Which Delta cards offer a companion ticket?
Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve consumer and business cardholders receive an annual Delta companion ticket with each annual card renewal.
Here's the full lineup of cards and their current welcome bonuses.
| CREDIT CARD | ANNUAL FEE | WELCOME BONUS | NOTABLE PERKS |
|---|---|---|---|
$350 (see rates and fees) | Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $6,000) in the first six months of card membership. |
| |
$650 (see rates and fees) | Earn up to 125,000 bonus miles: 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $3,000 on purchases (for a total of $9,000) in the first six months of card membership. |
| |
$350 (see rates and fees) | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. |
| |
$650 (see rates and fees) | Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. |
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*Enrollment is required.
**Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required.
It's possible to earn multiple companion vouchers if you have multiple eligible Delta cards.
However, it's worth noting that these companion tickets are not granted in the first year. You must renew your card (and pay the annual fee) to get the perk.
Delta companion ticket rules
Companion tickets can only be used on select round-trip tickets within the contiguous U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.
To use the vouchers in that way, you must have an eligible address on file with Delta SkyMiles in those locations.
If you have the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex, the companion ticket is only eligible for Main Cabin flights, while the Reserve companion ticket can be used for first-class, Premium Select, Comfort or Main Cabin tickets.
This annual award is automatically deposited into your SkyMiles account the month you pay the card's annual fee, and it's typically valid for a year from the date it was issued. The ticket must be booked and the trip must be taken before the certificate expires. You still need to pay the taxes and fees on the second ticket, but otherwise, it's a buy one, get one flight deal.
Related: Is Delta Air Lines premium economy worth it between New York and London?
How to use the Delta companion ticket
Using a Delta companion ticket is very simple.
First, log in to your online Delta SkyMiles account, and after you select "Profile" (located as a drop-down option when you click on your name on the upper right-hand side), you'll find your companion certificates listed in the "Certificates, eCredits & Vouchers" section.
From there, you can select a certificate to use and then proceed to search for eligible Delta flights by hitting "Continue" at the bottom of the page.
You can only search for flights for the two people on the trip who are using the certificate, so any additional children or travelers may have to be booked separately. You can then have their itineraries linked to yours by calling Delta at 1-800-221-1212.
Saving hundreds with the Delta companion ticket
To show you the real value of the Delta companion ticket, let's use a real-world example of a recent national parks-focused trip to Utah.
The round-trip, nonstop flights from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) cost about $466 on Delta. That wasn't a great deal, but it was during a school break, so deals were hard to come by.
The Delta companion certificate was a great way to save money when prices were high. One round-trip ticket cost $466, but a second ticket could be reserved for only an additional $20 in taxes and fees when using the companion certificate.
Traveling from Houston to Salt Lake City for two passengers for $486 with the companion voucher was a much better deal than one ticket for $466. Multiply that number by two for the other two family members on the reservation (because two eligible vouchers were available at the time) to get around $900 in savings for the trip, thanks to these Delta companion vouchers from Amex cards.
If you use the Delta companion ticket in a similar manner, it can easily be worth more than the annual fee for keeping the Delta Platinum Amex in your wallet.
Know, though, that the primary (paid) ticket on the reservation using the Delta companion ticket will accrue SkyMiles, but the companion ticket won't. Therefore, the tickets are eligible for upgrades consistent with the SkyMiles program. If you cancel your itinerary after purchasing your ticket, you usually won't be able to reuse your companion certificate, so be sure of your plans before applying your companion certificate.
Related: The top credit cards for families
Bottom line
Delta's annual companion ticket, which comes with the Delta Platinum and Reserve family of SkyMiles cards, is an excellent perk that can make flying on Delta much more affordable, especially for families. If you're looking to save money when flying Delta, consider applying for one of Delta's Amex cards to take advantage of this and other benefits available to cardholders.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Platinum
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex, click here.
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees