Getting a free flight with Delta Amex is easier than most people realize especially if you travel domestically. One of the most valuable benefits of the Delta SkyMiles American Express card is the annual companion certificate, which can essentially get you a second seat for the cost of taxes and fees.
The American Express Delta SkyMiles® Gold/Platinum/Reserve Card (depending on which tier you hold) is an incredible travel benefit for domestic travel, and I don’t think you should sleep on this card, especially if you fly Delta regularly.
One of the main reasons we opened the Delta Amex Reserve card was for the Annual Companion Certificate. Each year you receive a certificate that lets you book a second passenger on the same domestic roundtrip itinerary for just taxes and fees, essentially two seats for the price of one.
Until recently, this benefit was limited to travel within the contiguous United States, but in 2024 Delta expanded eligible destinations to include Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, a huge upgrade to the value! (Check specific terms for your card level, benefits vary a bit by card type.)
If you have Delta Medallion status, your companion can be considered for upgrades with you, as long as you’re on the same reservation and booked in an eligible fare class. Upgrade priority follows Delta’s standard rules and availability.
Important Companion Certificate Rules
- The companion certificate can only be used on paid (cash) fares, you cannot use SkyMiles to pay for the base fare and then apply for the free companion.
- The reservation must be a roundtrip itinerary.
- You must book and travel within the certificate’s validity year.
- Certificates do not roll over, use it or lose it.
- You cannot transfer the certificate to someone else, the cardmember must be on the reservation.
- Travel fees and taxes apply, typically ranging from about $2 to ~$250 depending on route and airport. (Amounts can vary, so always check the exact fee at booking.)
- Read here for: Delta’s Companion Certificate Rules
Companion Pass Booking Tips (3+ Travelers)
If you’re traveling with more than 2 people, note that the companion certificate only covers one companion. That means:
- You may need to book the third person on a separate reservation initially.
- Ideally, you want everyone on one itinerary so you can:
- Check in together
- Have bags linked on one reservation
- Stay together if flights are oversold or irregular operations happen
After booking, call Delta Customer Service and ask them to link or merge the separate reservations so everyone is on the same itinerary. We did this for our Hawaii trip so we could check in and manage the trip together. My husband booked our son using the companion certificate, booked my ticket separately using miles, and then had Delta link the reservations, meaning we essentially only paid for one airfare.
Why Being On One Reservation Matters
- If flights are full or someone gets bumped, you all stay together
- You can check in at the same time
- If you’ve earned free bags through status or card perks, everyone on the reservation gets that benefit (up to the allowed number of free bags)
Amex Annual Fee vs. Value
Yes, the Delta Amex has an annual fee, but the value of one free companion flight can easily offset that plus there are statement credit if you are also maximizing the benefits the card offers. I’ve outlined those below. Depending on your destination, you can save $800–$900 per roundtrip flight (or more), especially to places like Hawaii or Alaska.
Interested in the American Express Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card: Apply for the card here.
Additional Travel Related Benefits of the Reserve Card:
- First checked bag for free + up to $70 per person on your reservation
- Access to The Centurion® Lounge and Escape Lounges (Domestic USA only)
- 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club
- $240 in Resy Credit
- $10 back in statement credits for Rideshares per month
- $200 back in statement credit for hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays
- Hertz Presidents Circle (Free car upgrade)
- 100k Sign up points after $5,000 spend in first 6 months with our referral offer (normally 70k miles) (As of Jan 17, 2026)
- $120 statement credit towards Global Entry
- International destinations the Delta Companion Certificate can be used:
- USVI
- Mexico
- Antigua
- Aruba
- Bermuda
- Bonaire
- Curacao
- Grand Cayman
- Cuba
- Jamaica
- Bahamas
- Turks and Caicos
- Dominican Republic
- Saint Kitts
- St. Maarten
- St. Lucia
- Costa Rica
- Belize
- Guatemala
- Panama
- Honduras
- El Salvador
Where should we go to next? Do you have the travel companion pass certificate? If yes, let us know how you use it down in the comments!
