Airline Companion Passes and Fares
Airline companion passes and fares can help two people fly for less, but each benefit works differently. The Southwest Companion Pass is probably the most well known. It can be used repeatedly to book a companion for free, plus taxes and fees. Most other companion tickets cover only one trip and may restrict routes, cabins or fare classes. Some companion fares are free (aside from any required taxes and fees), while others cost money. Here is how the major airline companion benefits compare, including what they cost, how to earn them and their most important limitations.
What's an Airline Companion Pass or Fare?
Airline companion passes and fares allow a second traveler to fly for free, at a fixed price or for fewer points. They are offered across many airlines and can be earned by holding certain co-branded credits or meeting the thresholds for qualifying spend, flights flown or points earned. Most require both passengers to travel together, and the companion may still owe taxes and fees.
Best Airline Companion Passes and Fares: At a Glance
Here's how airline companion passes and fares compare across some of the major airlines. Below the chart, we'll cover each option in more detail. Note that card benefits can change, so confirm the current terms before applying or directing significant spending toward a companion benefit.
| Airline or program | How it is earned | Companion benefit | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | Earn 135,000 qualifying points (which can often be partially earned by co-branded card welcome offers) or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year | Unlimited companion flights while valid | Southwest-operated flights only |
| Alaska Airlines-Hawaiian Airlines $99 Companion Fare | Hold an eligible Atmos card and meet the applicable spending requirement | One companion fare from $122 round-trip | Paid economy tickets only |
| Atmos Rewards Global Companion Award | Hold the Atmos Rewards Summit card | Up to 25,000 points off a companion award annually | Discounts rather than automatically covers the award |
| Delta Air Lines | Renew an eligible Delta Platinum or Reserve card | One companion certificate annually | Restricted routes, cabins and fare classes |
| American Airlines | Hold an eligible card and meet its renewal or spending requirement | Domestic companion ticket from $99 plus taxes | Generally limited to economy within the contiguous U.S. |
| JetBlue | Meet spending thresholds on the JetBlue Premier Card | Companion passes worth up to $500 or $1,500 | High annual spending requirements |
| Aer Lingus | Spend $30,000 on the Aer Lingus Visa | One economy companion ticket | Aer Lingus flights between the U.S. and Ireland |
| British Airways | Spend $30,000 on the British Airways Visa | Reduced Avios for two travelers or a solo trip | Taxes, fees and surcharges still apply |
| Lufthansa | Hold the Miles & More Mastercard | Annual economy companion ticket | Restrictive fares and potentially high surcharges |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Hold an eligible Hawaiian Airlines card | Initial 50% discount and annual $100 discount | Limited routes and capped savings |
Southwest Companion Pass
The Southwest Companion Pass lets one designated companion fly with you whenever you travel on Southwest. It works with paid and award tickets. The companion generally pays only taxes and fees, beginning at $5.60 each way for domestic flights. You must earn 135,000 qualifying points or complete 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. The pass is valid for the rest of the year in which it is earned and the entire following year. (There are sometimes promos that allow you to earn a mini version for a shorter period.) Eligible Southwest credit card bonuses and spending count toward qualification. Personal and business card bonuses may be combined strategically, but review the Southwest business card application terms before applying.
Alaska and Hawaiian $99 Companion Fare
The Atmos Rewards Ascent (see our Atmos personal cards review) and Atmos Rewards Business cards offer a companion fare from $121 round-trip: a $99 base fare plus taxes and fees beginning at $23. Newer cardholders generally must meet a spending requirement during the cardmember year to earn the annual fare. It applies to eligible paid economy itineraries operated by Alaska or Hawaiian, so both travelers can earn points and may be eligible for upgrades. The cardholder can book the fare for two other people but must pay with an eligible card in their own name. Alaska has also added payment restrictions, including limits on using wallet funds. Read about the negative Alaska Companion Fare changes and see our complete Alaska Airlines Companion Fare guide for booking instructions.
Atmos Rewards Global Companion Awards
The Atmos Rewards Summit card offers an annual Global Companion Award worth up to 25,000 points. Cardholders can also earn a 100,000-point award after spending $60,000 in a calendar year. The award discounts a companion ticket on eligible Alaska, Hawaiian and partner award flights, including premium cabins. If the ticket costs more than the certificate’s value, you pay the remaining points.
Delta Companion Certificates
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum, Platinum Business, Reserve and Reserve Business cards provide a companion certificate after each renewal. Platinum certificates cover eligible Main Cabin round trips within the United States and to select destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Reserve certificates can also cover certain Delta premium fares, but neither certificate covers Delta One. The companion pays taxes and fees capped at $80 for qualifying domestic trips and $250 for qualifying international trips. Certificates are restricted to specific fare classes, so eligible space may not be available even when seats are still for sale. See our guide to using Delta Companion Certificates for booking instructions and availability tips.
American Airlines Companion Certificates
Several American Airlines cards provide a domestic economy companion certificate, either after renewal or after meeting the minimum spend during the cardmember year. Eligible cards may include Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard and Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®. Most certificates allow one companion to travel for $99 plus taxes and fees. Travel is generally restricted to round-trip economy itineraries within the 48 contiguous states, with limited exceptions for residents of Alaska and Hawaii. Confirm current card availability and certificate requirements before applying.
JetBlue Premier Companion Passes
JetBlue Premier cardholders can earn a companion pass statement credit worth up to $500 after spending $15,000 in a calendar year, plus another pass worth up to $1,500 after spending $75,000 in the same year. The pass covers the companion’s base fare up to its stated value. Taxes, fees and any fare amount above the limit remain the traveler’s responsibility. The spending requirements are substantial, so compare the pass’s value with the rewards you could earn by using other cards.
Aer Lingus Economy Companion Ticket
Spend $30,000 in a calendar year on the Aer Lingus Visa Signature card to earn an economy companion ticket valid for 12 months. The ticket applies to eligible Aer Lingus-operated flights between the United States and Ireland. The companion pays no additional taxes or fees, but the narrow route restrictions make it most useful for someone already planning this trip.
British Airways Travel Together Ticket
Spend $30,000 in a calendar year on the British Airways Visa Signature card to receive a Travel Together Ticket valid for two years. The certificate reduces the Avios needed when two people book an eligible award or provides a 50% Avios discount on an eligible solo award. Taxes, fees and carrier surcharges are not reduced and can be substantial, especially in premium cabins.
Lufthansa Companion Ticket
The Miles & More World Elite Mastercard provides an economy companion ticket after the first qualifying purchase and again after each account anniversary. The certificate generally applies to eligible paid economy travel originating in the United States. The companion remains responsible for taxes, fees and surcharges and bookings typically must be made by phone. Compare the total price for two travelers with other available fares before using the certificate.
Hawaiian Airlines Companion Discounts
The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard offers a one-time 50% companion discount for eligible round-trip economy travel between Hawaii and North America. Cardholders also receive a $100 companion discount after each anniversary. As Alaska and Hawaiian continue to integrate their programs, confirm the latest eligible routes before booking. Because the ongoing benefit saves no more than $100, consider it alongside the card’s other benefits rather than using it as the only reason to keep the card.
Airline Companion Passes and Fares: ToP Thoughts
Airline companion passes and fares can save money, but “companion” does not always mean a free ticket. In practice, “BOGO” tickets might mean buy one, get one at a discount. The Southwest Companion Pass is the best option for repeated use, while Alaska and Delta certificates can offer excellent value on one expensive itinerary. The Atmos Global Companion Award provides additional flexibility for award travelers. Other companion benefits can also be valuable, but many come with narrow restrictions or high spending requirements. Start with the airlines and trips that already fit your plans. The best companion benefit is one you can use naturally without overspending or forcing a trip before it expires. Which of these benefits have you used? We would love to hear your experiences in our Facebook group.
