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Check your email: Delta is reissuing companion certificates to some passengers affected by IT meltdown
Tarah Chieffi
Senior writer
As a senior writer for TPG, Tarah Chieffi helps readers travel better, more often and within their budget.
Aug. 23, 2024
•
4 min read
Check your email: Delta is reissuing companion certificates to some passengers affected by IT meltdown
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In July, a global IT outage caused massive flight delays and cancellations, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded. Unfortunately, Delta Air Lines passengers were among the hardest hit, with more than 5,000 flights canceled during the outage.
Related: Delta's meltdown worsens with 800 cancellations Monday; now 4,000 since Friday
At the time, many passengers reported that Delta wasn't doing enough to accommodate their need for meals, hotel stays, ground transportation and alternative flights per expectations outlined on the U.S. Department of Transportation's Airline Customer Service dashboard and in its flight refund guidances.
These reports led to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation Consumer Protections investigation to ensure affected passengers received the proper accommodations they were entitled to.
Though passengers waited frustratingly long to get rebooked or refunded, Delta did abide by DOT policies and provided affected passengers with the option to use flight credits on future trips or receive a cash refund for the unused portion of their ticket. The airline also issued meal vouchers, hotel accommodations and ground transportation to stranded passengers.
As a result of the disruptions, Delta passengers who redeemed a companion certificate during the outage period may soon receive a welcome email in their inbox.
On Friday, Delta began sending email alerts to passengers who redeemed a companion certificate during the outage period. The email stated that Delta would issue a new companion certificate within seven to 14 business days. The new certificate will be valid for one year from the date of issuance, thereby extending the expiration date of the original certificate.
When I spoke with a Delta customer service agent to verify the validity of the email and companion certificate, a representative stated that the email was legitimate and that the airline is currently in the process of reissuing companion certificates used during the outage.
Some readers have reported in the TPG Lounge they, too, have received new companion certificates, even if their flights were not severely affected — their expiration dates have also been extended.
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Several Delta American Express cards offer an annual companion certificate perk, including the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
Related reading: As Delta meltdown drags on, here are airline passenger rights you need to know
If you are among those affected, be on the lookout in the coming days for an email from Delta's customer service team with more information on your reissued companion certificate. Once it is received, you can find the companion certificate in your SkyMiles wallet on the Delta website or the Fly Delta App.
Delta did not immediately respond to TPG's request for comment
Related reading:
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- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
Featured image by AIRBUS/MMS/FIXION
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.