Airline Companion Pass Guide

Frequently Travel with friends and familyyou can make your bookings more affordable by earning discounts on flight companions. Luckily, there are a few Airline credit cards Offer companion passes and discounts as perks, or at least provide a faster path to getting those discounts.

They go by different names: companion pass, companion certificate, companion fare, companion ticket, etc. And while most airlines offer discounts just for you and your travel companions, there is a way to win a fully-made ticket.

The table below can be used as a summary of the various compassion passes, fares and discounts available.

Companion fare vs. Companion pass

The airline offers different companion deals. The common things you might see are companion fares and companion passes. Companion fares are usually airline offers that offer cardholders a massive discount (just pay taxes or fees on a flat rate) when adding a second guest to a booking (or flying solos for up to 50% off tickets).

Meanwhile, the companion pass allows the cardholder to choose who can fly free or for the set tax rates and taxes each time they fly. These passes may be one-time or valid for multiple uses over a period of time.

Both options allow you to easily save some funds on your next trip and take others with you.

Southwest Airlines companion pass

Southwest companion pass is probably the best known in the US, the best known US once you get a companion pass. You can fly for free whenever you choose one friend or family member and purchase points for a flight for a certain period of time.

You do not have to pay airfares, but you will need to pay taxes and fees (starting at $5.60 each way). The pass will be extended until the end of the year you earn, and a further year will be the full calendar year. For example, if you qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass in March 2025, you can use it by the end of December 2026.

By adjusting the timing to acquire a companion pass wisely, you can make a companion trip for almost two years. However, you will want to plan ahead to make the most of the benefits.

The best part? There is no limit to the number of times a path can be used. Once you have won, you can use it every time you book a paid or award flight at Southwest. After purchasing a ticket, you will be presented with the option to add a companion to your flight without adding a ticket price.

How to get a Southwest Companion Pass

There are two ways to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass.

Points earned on flights will count on your pass, similar to points earned through welcoming bonus spending and eligibility with your Southwest credit card. Points purchased, transferred or converted from another loyalty program or travel reward card will not be applied. Using Southwest co-branded credit cards is a surefire way to maximize your revenue towards the Southwest Companion Pass. Here are some things to consider:

American Airlines Companion Certificate

For frequent American Airlines flyers, American Airlines AADVantage Credit Card It provides several companion certificate options.

With an American companion certificate, you can take guests to a domestic ticket for one round-trip cabin for $99 (tax and fees).

The certificate expires after one year and is valid only for flights within the continent. Please read the offer carefully as some details may vary depending on the card you use.

How to get a companion certificate

With the following card, you can spend $30,000 a year and then earn a certificate of one companion and leave your account open for 45 days beyond the card anniversary.

You can also earn a certificate with the following cards if you spend at least $20,000 a year and leave your account open for 45 days from anniversary:

When you qualify, American Airlines will send you a companion certificate with details of the specific booking.

British Airways travel together

British Airways offers its own version of the companion pass called Travel Together tickets.

This British Airways offer is available when booking reward flights with the AVIO you earn. With tickets you will receive a second seat (of equal value) to bring friends on future trips. You only pay taxes, fees and carrier fees. Alternatively, you can use your ticket to pay just 50% of the value of your British Airways Avios when booking reward flights without a companion.

This offer will generate reward flights for British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus from anywhere. It is also not limited to flights originating from the US. It should also be noted that international flights often have taxes, fees and carrier fees above $1,000.

How to get a trip together

I use A British Airways VisaSignature® Card*You can qualify for a travel ticket by spending $30,000 in one calendar year (January 1 to December 31).

Two years after qualifying for tickets is a good thing.

Delta Airline Companion Certificate

Delta’s joint brand Delta Sky Meal Credit cards offer several options for obtaining a companion certificate.

The certificate allows you to take your travel companions on eligible round-trip flights. You are still responsible for paying taxes and fees, but these fees close at $250.

How to get a companion certificate

Eligible Delta Cardholders will receive a membership companion certificate every year upon renewal of their card. Currently there are five eligible cards.

You will not receive a certificate until you renew your card membership, so you can wait until the second year to earn a profit. Once you receive a certificate, you will be advantageous until the next renewal date.

Hawaiian Airlines companion discounts

Alaska Airlines acquired Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024. The new total company has announced that Hawaiian Airlines credit cards will eventually move from Bank of America to Alaska credit card options in the coming years. No official conversion date has been announced, but the current Hawaii companion discounts are subject to change at any time.

For now, Hawaiian Airlines cardholders can earn one-off or annual companion discounts on flights with airlines.

Each eligible card will offer a 50% discount on one round-trip coach fare ticket for companions flying with you. However, the two cards offer a $100 discount per year from the companion round-trip coach fare ticket. These discounts apply to travel between Hawaii and North America booked directly with the airline.

One-time 50% discount is eligible for 13 months after opening your account. The $100 annual discount is valid for 12 months from each account anniversary. Unfortunately, the 50% off does not apply to taxes, fees or additional charges.

How to get companion discounts

Discount offers from each eligible Hawaiian Airlines credit card are as follows:

• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Master Card®* (One-time 50% off and $100 companion discount)
• Hawaiian Airlines®Bankof Hawaii World Elite MasterCard®* (1-time offer 50% off, $100 companion discount)
• Hawaiian Airlines® Business Master Card®* (50% off companion discount)

Alaska Airlines’ Famous Companion Food

Qualified Alaska Airlines cardholders can earn airline companion fares after meeting certain requirements.

Alaska’s famous companion fares are suitable for one round-trip coach companion fare. In addition to the base fee of $99, you will still pay taxes and fees (from $23) and the companion fee must be on the same itinerary and booking as the ticket you purchased. Tickets purchased with companion fares are eligible for a paid first class upgrade offer.

How to get companion fares

Alaska Airlines VisaSignature® Credit Card We will frequently serve Alaska’s famous companion dishes as part of a welcome opportunity for new card holders.

For example, new cardholders can now earn a 30% flight discount code for qualifying flights just to open their cards. Plus, you’ll earn 60,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s famous companion fare (taxes and fees starting from $23) after purchasing with purchases over $3,000 within the first 90 days of opening an account. On the card $95 Annual fee.

Similarly, Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Card*, you will receive the following offers: After earning 60,000 miles and Alaska’s famous companion dishes ($99 fare and taxes and fees starting at $23), purchase within the first 90 days of opening an account and purchase over $4,000.

With both cards, you can continue to earn a companion fare discount code by spending at least $6,000 on your card each year.

Information on Alaska Airlines VisaSignature® Credit Cards and Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Cards was last updated on June 12, 2025.

Luftansa Companion Ticket

With Lufthansa’s co-branding reward card, you can get one companion ticket each year.

These tickets are eligible for economy class reservations departing from the US to Africa/Europe/Middle East and Far East. You will still be required to pay taxes and fees, but you will be eligible for a companion ticket every year that you retain your card membership.

To book a seat with a companion ticket, you will need to call Miles & Other Companion Ticket Service at 866-461-5399.

How to get a companion ticket

You need to be Miles & More® World Elite Master Card®*Card holders who earn Lufthansa companion tickets.

Sign up for your card and receive your first companion ticket after your first purchase. If you continue to hold your card then you will receive an additional companion ticket for each account anniversary.

Lufthansa’s companion offers are in good condition from the date issued until the next account anniversary. The full terms of the offer can be found at Lufthansa’s website.

United Million Miler Companion

United Airlines offers unique opportunities within the MileagePlus program, giving airlines and people who have flew over 1 million miles with the opportunity to present elite status to their peers. You are eligible to choose as a spouse, important others, or a companion who resides at the Million Miller home address, or a partner who shares the highest status. Once a companion is selected, it will retain the same status unless you submit changes.

How to win a million miles companion offer

You will need to become a United MileagePlus member and fly at least 1 million miles with United.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic offers companion park options as part of your credit card Virgin Red RewardsMasterCard®*. Using companion fares will allow you to earn a cardholder and a round-trip companion seat.

How to get a companion ticket

You must be a Virgin Red Rewards MasterCard card holder and spend $15,000 a year to win one ticket or $30,000 to win two companion tickets.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a traveler, your pocket feels a little heavy when you can bring in the company for just a fraction of the cost.

Each airline offers ways to save money when traveling with friends and family, but planning ahead and making the most of your preferred airline deals can really maximize your savings.

*Information about Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, Citi®/AADVantage Business™ World EliteMasterCard®, Citi® /AADVantage®Platinum Select®WorldElite MasterCard®,AADVANTAGE®AVIATOR®WORLDELITE BUSINESS MASTERCARD®,AADVANTAGE®AVIATOR®EDVANTION®AVIATOR®,AADVantage®Aviator®SilverCard®,British Airways Visa Signature®Card®,Hawaiian Airlines®BusinessMasterCard®,Alaska Airlines Visa®BusinessCard,Miles & More®WorldElite MasterCard,Virgin RedRewards® MasterCard® was collected independently by Bankrate.com. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.