Which Airlines Let You Bring A Friend For Free Or A Discount?

Flying solo can be an exciting venture, but sometimes, it’s nice to have someone else to share the experience with. Thankfully, several airlines are making it easier — and more affordable — to bring a friend or family member along for the ride.

Airlines offering companion passes allow a passenger to bring a companion for free or at a significant discount. In this article, we’ll explore which US-based airlines offer this coveted perk.

Companion pass benefits – and why they matter

Companion passes offer tremendous value for frequent flyers, particularly those who travel with friends, family, or colleagues. Whether you’re flying domestically or internationally, these passes can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each year.

Photo: Qatar

Companion passes provide substantial cost savings, allowing travelers to bring a friend or family member for free or at a discount, making trips more affordable. These passes offer flexibility, as they can typically be used on both domestic and international flights, and travelers can still earn frequent flyer miles even when using the pass, adding value to their overall travel experience.

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Which Airline Companion Passes Offer The Most Value?

Southwest Airlines just announced that it is bringing back a promotion to earn its companion fare after booking one flight by Thursday. The flight must be completed by November 20th, and the companion pass is only valid for three months. However, that still means your +1 can come with you on every flight you take. 

Other airlines offer something closer to a companion discount. Alaska Airlines lets you bring a friend for $99, plus taxes and fees. The companion discounts are often linked to airline credit cards. Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, British Airways, and more all have programs that offer a discounted companion fare. However, the minimum spending requirement to activate the perk can exceed $30,000 in some cases.

What are some of your favorite companion pass programs or alternative ways to save money when traveling with friends and family?

Additionally, some programs offer perks like premium seating upgrades for companions when available. Companion passes linked to credit cards or elite status often renew annually, ensuring that travelers can continue to enjoy these benefits long-term, making them a highly valuable advantage for frequent flyers.

Southwest Airlines Companion Pass

When it comes to companion passes, Southwest Airlines sets the gold standard. The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most generous programs in the airline industry, and frequent flyers often consider it the pinnacle of rewards.

The Southwest Companion Pass allows the holder to bring a designated companion on any Southwest flight for free (excluding taxes and fees, which start at $5.60 one way). The pass is valid for the year in which it was earned and the entire following calendar year, making it a great long-term perk for frequent travelers.

According to Southwest Airlines, passengers must either earn 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year to be eligible. You can use the pass on both paid and points-based bookings, making it even more flexible for those who rack up points through Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program or a co-branded credit card.

Key benefits of Southwest’s Companion Pass:

• Unlimited use, valid for the remainder of the year earned and the entire following year.
• Can be used with both paid and points-based bookings.
• Companion Pass members can change their designated Companion up to three times each calendar year.

Alaska Airlines Companion Fare

While Southwest Airlines is famous for its Companion Pass, several other airlines offer similar programs, giving frequent flyers an opportunity to share their travel experiences without doubling the cost. Alaska Airlines, for example, has a valuable companion pass known as the “Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare”, available to eligible Alaska Airlines Visa and Alaska Airlines Visa Business cardholders.

Photo: Alaska Airlines

Unlike Southwest’s offer, however, this isn’t a free ticket, but still offers a deep discount. The companion fare entitles cardholders to purchase a second round-trip seat on the same flight from $122 ($99 base fare plus applicable taxes and fees from $23), per Alaska Airlines. The pass renews annually, making it a recurring benefit for cardholders who maximize their travel on Alaska Airlines.

Photo: Alaska Airlines

Key benefits of Alaska’s Companion Fare:

• Annual benefit tied to the Alaska Airlines Visa card.
• Although miles cannot be used as a form of payment, mileage credit accrual is allowed for both travelers in their own Mileage Plan accounts.
• Fares can be upgraded using elite + companion upgrades, guest upgrades, or paid upgrades at check-in.

Delta Air Lines Companion Certificates

Delta Air Lines offers companion certificates to eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card members, making it possible to fly with a friend for just the cost of taxes and fees (up to $80 for domestic round-trip and $250 for international flights).

Photo: Delta Air Lines

The Companion Certificate allows you to bring a companion on one round-trip flight a year, within the US, as well as to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America. According to Delta, cabin eligibility is as follows:

Key benefits of Delta’s Companion Certificates include:

• Available with select Delta-branded credit cards
• Covers domestic and select international round-trip flights
• Can be used for premium seating options, making it a versatile option for those who prefer premium seating while still saving on travel costs.

American Airlines Companion Certificate

American Airlines also provides companion certificates to eligible co-branded credit cardholders, such as the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard, per Upgraded Points.

Photo: Wenjie Zheng | Shutterstock

However, note that the companion certificate does not warrant a free flight, unlike Delta’s offering. Instead, it allows eligible cardholders to bring a companion on an economy domestic round-trip flight for $99 plus taxes (ranging between $21 and $44). To be eligible, cardholders will need to meet certain spending thresholds, typically starting at $20,000.

This certificate can be applied to domestic round-trip flights within the contiguous US, operated by American Airlines or on flights marketed by the airline but operated by Compass Airlines, American Eagle by Envoy Air, Mesa Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, among others.

Key benefits of American’s Companion Certificate:

• Fixed fees for companion travel start at just $99.
• Applicable on a range of flights operated by a handful of airlines.
• Opportunity to enjoy two companion certificates for AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard members.

Maximize your travel savings with companion passes

Airlines that offer companion passes provide a fantastic opportunity for frequent flyers to travel more affordably. Whether you’re flying Southwest with their all-inclusive pass or snagging a discounted companion ticket with Alaska Airlines, these programs can transform your travel experience, allowing you to bring someone along for the journey without breaking the bank.

Photo: British Airways

By strategically using these perks, you can maximize the value of your frequent flyer status or co-branded credit card and make flying less of a solo endeavor. Keep an eye on your favorite airlines for companion pass offers, and start planning your next adventure with a friend by your side.