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How Do I Use US Airways Companion Tickets After the Merger?

Aug. 30, 2015
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3 min read
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How Do I Use US Airways Companion Tickets After the Merger?
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TPG reader @PaulTurec tweeted me a question about the US Airways and American Airlines merger:

@ThePointsGuy — "Will my US Airways companion certificate still be good for redemption on flights after the merger is completed?"

Airline mergers don't happen overnight; it's already been more than two years since the merger between US Airways and American Airlines was announced. There have been several milestones along the way — most recently, in July, American Airlines combined reservations systems with US Airways. October 18th is the next crucial date, as that's when all US Airways flights will become American Airlines flights.

Technically, your companion tickets from the old US Airways MasterCard require you to be on a US Airways flight — however, beginning on October 18th, there will be no such thing.

Image courtesy of Philip Lange / Shutterstock.com

Luckily, you'll still be able to use your US Airways companion tickets on flights operated by American Airlines, but you'll have to call the department currently handling companion pass bookings (AA Meeting Services: 800-433-1790). As a reminder, here are the current companion ticket terms:

  • Each year a Companion Certificate will be sent 6-8 weeks after the time of the account-opening anniversary and the annual fee has been paid. (The first certificate is sent 6-8 weeks after the account has been used for at least one purchase, and the annual fee has been paid.)
  • The certificate is valid for one or two companion tickets.
  • It's valid for round-trip coach class travel within and between the contiguous US and Canada when the primary cardholder purchases a qualifying ticket (minimum fare purchase of $250 required).
  • All passengers are responsible for payment of the additional taxes, fees and charges which are not included in the qualifying ticket minimum fare ($250) or the companion certificates ($99 or $149 as applicable).
  • Restrictions apply, including advance purchase requirements and black-out dates.
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Going forward, Barclaycard will no longer be issuing new American Airlines-branded credit cards; if you have an existing card, you can still get companion passes by hitting spend requirements on the AAdvantage Aviator Silver card or if you're grandfathered in to the program. However, Aviator Red cards won't include companion passes.

The good news is that you can use those companion tickets (and get great value out of them). The bad news is that they're going to be harder to come by once the merger is complete, so it's time to start looking into other opportunities to fly with a friend.

If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.

[card card-name='Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard®' card-id='221410949' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']

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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.