Delta Companion Certificate with Delta AMEX Platinum

We had the Delta companion ticket credit card for five years. We used it to either go visit family or to take a trip someplace new. When I would receive the certificate each year, I immediately reserved a flight because it can take some work to find a flight to use it. I remember one year we wanted to go see Philadelphia - tried several weeks worth of dates. Finally, I tried Savannah, instead, and we had a wonderful trip to Georgia & South Carolina.

I would say if you’re open to either your destination or very flexible with dates, it’s a nice perk. I also don’t remember seeing that Hawaii was an eligible destination when we had the card. The time-of-day for flights was never an issue for the flights we were able to redeem.

We quit that card when we started using the Alaska Airlines companion card because we were traveling mostly on their routes. When 2020 occurred, we dropped that card.

I had the Platinum card for a long time when I was working, and used the Companion pass to travel with friends or relatives. Sometimes I gave it to my daughter and her husband to use for trips as well. It's very handy and easy to use. You get other benefits with the Delta AMEX as well; priority boarding; free checked bags and obviously points. After I retired, I switched to the Gold card since I didn't really need the companion certificate anymore as I'm mostly flying solo.

I have had the Delta platinum card for several years. I don't like paying that much for a card, but we have always come out ahead when the benefits are considered. Unfortunately, the companion ticket can't be used for Alaska and Hawaii.

While it's pretty easy to change a normal ticket, that's not the case with a companion ticket. Changing to a different day or flight time can be tricky, and could affect the unchanged flight. So best to be very sure that the dates and flight times are definite before using the certificate. And advance planning is needed since the number of seats available for a companion certificate are limited.

Thank you Jean, Mardee, Diane, and Lois. Your replies were very helpful. It sounds as though the companion certificate may not work as well for us as I had hoped. We usually have very specific dates we need to travel on and specific locations we're looking to travel to. And it's good to know they aren't really changeable and that seats are limited. So I think I'll pass on this card.
Thank you again for your replies!

We have the card because we like the other perks. But have not found it easy to use the companion certificate. It's not available for all flights. Or at least not all the time. Twice we had an original flight. Had reason needed to make a change closer to the flight date (but not that close) and nothing was available for the certificate although seats were available. In that case if you need to change you can't just buy a new ticket and get back the certificate. You forfeit the certificate.

I have the AMEX gold card with the $99 fee. I would be willing to go Platinum, except that the companion certificate holds me back. My husband and I rarely travel together domestically. While the companion certificates are not good to Alaska and Hawaii, one thing I've toyed with is using the companion ticket to get to LA or Seattle and buying tickets to Hawaii from there. Still, I'd rather have the credit like I get with the gold card.

You do accumulate skymiles faster with the platinum than you do with the gold.

You could try it for a year and if you do not like it you could change to the gold for $99 a year. That one I think is a nice value. You'll get a $100 flight credit (can be used on any flight) and one free checked bag, so the annual fee is basically a wash.

Thanks Laurie Ann and Jules! After your reply, Jules, I checked into the gold card. I am not seeing a $100 flight credit. I am thinking this must have been a perk when you signed up and is no longer offered??

I found the $100 flight credit buried in the details. Thanks Jules!

we like the companion fare ticket. It's usually worth it. We've used to go to NC, Boston, and Portland, to name a few. When we used it for Boston, it was to get us there to fly to Europe. A jumping off point for places that a companion ticket doesn't cover.

Been using this for years. It’s worth it if you know you’re going to fly Delta domestically at least once a year and that your travel will include two people. It can only be used in contiguous states so no Hawaii or Alaska. The companion ticket does expire at the end of your renewal year. Since the cost of a second ticket most often is greater than the annual fee I find the fee to be a good value and as others have said it also includes other benefits.