AMEX canceling companion certificates what other cc offer these?

[mermaidwannabe]

I've had AMEX Gold for a few years and used their $99 companion certificates for my vacations and I wondered why I hadn't received them since my renewal in September. I was counting on using them for my trip this summer, so this is really affecting my budget obviously. Are there other credit cards that have big mileage bonuses or companion certificates where I wouldn't have to be a member for a year to get? Thanks

 

[elgerber]

I've had AMEX Gold for a few years and used their $99 companion certificates for my vacations and I wondered why I hadn't received them since my renewal in September. I was counting on using them for my trip this summer, so this is really affecting my budget obviously. Are there other credit cards that have big mileage bonuses or companion certificates where I wouldn't have to be a member for a year to get? Thanks

I got my companion certificate in October when my card renewed.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I wonder if it's because I switched to paperless statements? I emailed them, and I do get one more!! But after January 2013, they will be no more. I found some threads on Flyertalk.com about it. I'm so bummed. Flying out of Bozeman is expensive to anywhere let alone Florida, so these were huge savers for us even factoring in the annual fees. Thank you for your reponse!

 

[bpesch]

Do you know for sure this perk has been discontinued or are you just assuming it based on not receiving anything? I have searched and searched and can't find any credible information on that part of being a card member is being discontinued. If anyone knows for sure, please post it.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Do you know for sure this perk has been discontinued or are you just assuming it based on not receiving anything? I have searched and searched and can't find any credible information on that part of being a card member is being discontinued. If anyone knows for sure, please post it.

From Flyer Talk and also in my response from AMEX:

"And effective January 25, 2013, Gold Delta SkyMiles Cardmembers will no longer receive a companion certificate upon their account renewal. "

 

[squirrel]

Alaska Airlines CC has a $99 companion fare each year with their CC. There is a fee for the CC not sure the amount for US residents, it's $75 up here in Canada.

 

[disneyfreakk]

I would call AMEX and tell them that you did not get your companion voucher at your September renewal and see what they say. Just be sure to call before Jan 25th!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Alaska Airlines CC has a $99 companion fare each year with their CC. There is a fee for the CC not sure the amount for US residents, it's $75 up here in Canada.

Thank you!

Oh, and I emailed AMEX and will receive one more certificate so thank goodness.

 

[bearzabout]

I received a notice stating that my Delta gold card will stop offering the companion certificate starting in January 2013. I also found out that for an annual fee of $150 instead of the $95 I have been paying, I will get a certificate for a FREE companion ticket if I upgrade to the platinum Delta card. I hear the free ticket may be a bit harder to book, but overall, I will actually save $50/year by doing this. We save hundreds on waived bag charges with the card annually, so this card works great for us.

 

[elgerber]

I received a notice stating that my Delta gold card will stop offering the companion certificate starting in January 2013. I also found out that for an annual fee of $150 instead of the $95 I have been paying, I will get a certificate for a FREE companion ticket if I upgrade to the platinum Delta card. I hear the free ticket may be a bit harder to book, but overall, I will actually save $50/year by doing this. We save hundreds on waived bag charges with the card annually, so this card works great for us.

I thought the companion cert was hard enough to book already!

 

[elgerber]

I think they need to reword their emails, I just used my certifcate on Monday and got this email yesterday...

Congratulations.

You've redeemed your annual Companion Certificate. With additional flight options and the flexibility to redeem your Companion Certificate online, your Card is more valuable than ever before. Plus, each year of your Cardmembership, we'll thank you with another Companion Certificate.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I think they need to reword their emails, I just used my certifcate on Monday and got this email yesterday...

Congratulations.

You've redeemed your annual Companion Certificate. With additional flight options and the flexibility to redeem your Companion Certificate online, your Card is more valuable than ever before. Plus, each year of your Cardmembership, we'll thank you with another Companion Certificate.

Do you have the Platinum AMEX? Because they do get them. It's the AMEX Gold that they are taking away the certificates. Or they need to reword the emails!

 

[elgerber]

Do you have the Platinum AMEX? Because they do get them. It's the AMEX Gold that they are taking away the certificates. Or they need to reword the emails!

Nope, I have the gold. I can't believe they sent that, you can bet I am hanging onto it LOL, just to show them later.

 

[msp2mco]

I couldn't find my certificate, so I called Delta. I was able to access it through my Skymiles account. You can go into your account and find it under certificates and awards.

I didn't know they were discontinuing this perk either. I had tried using the certificate for my March trip to WDW, but it didn't work.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

There was a notification on the second paper that comes with your statement. I missed it at the time but noticed it later.
I read on flyertalk about fares for the first ticket being much higher when the companion ticket is used and alot of people paid less for both tickets on regular fares, so maybe it isn't a huge loss.

 

[elgerber]

There was a notification on the second paper that comes with your statement. I missed it at the time but noticed it later.
I read on flyertalk about fares for the first ticket being much higher when the companion ticket is used and alot of people paid less for both tickets on regular fares, so maybe it isn't a huge loss.

This was the first time I have been able to use one! My fare on the first flight was higher by the amount of the taxes, so I was essentially charged taxes twice. That was $21.80. The flight was $447.80 regularly, so it still saved me a good amount of money.

But they really need to revise their emails, before people start trying to hold them to it.

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

I've had AMEX Gold for a few years and used their $99 companion certificates for my vacations and I wondered why I hadn't received them since my renewal in September. I was counting on using them for my trip this summer, so this is really affecting my budget obviously. Are there other credit cards that have big mileage bonuses or companion certificates where I wouldn't have to be a member for a year to get? Thanks

The US Airways mastercard comes with 2 companion certificates for $99/each. Usual restrictions apply: domestic 48 states, original ticket has to be more than $250, etc.

It also comes with a one-time voucher to the US Airways club.

 

[mm1971]

The Southwest card right now is running a 50K miles incentive if you apply and spend $2K in the first three months. The fee for the card is $69 and you get 3K point s after that on your anniversary date. You accrue more points based on spending. Not sure if this is something you are looking for. For us, it costs around 12K in points to fly to Orlando so I just got all four of our flights covered for our next trip.

Not sure of other cards offering companion fares, sorry.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

There was a notification on the second paper that comes with your statement. I missed it at the time but noticed it later.
I read on flyertalk about fares for the first ticket being much higher when the companion ticket is used and alot of people paid less for both tickets on regular fares, so maybe it isn't a huge loss.

Oh I wouldn't have thought of that! Awful! For the person who said they couldn't use their companion certificates for March, call and make sure because I found out we got one more that can be used until our next annual fee.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

The US Airways mastercard comes with 2 companion certificates for $99/each. Usual restrictions apply: domestic 48 states, original ticket has to be more than $250, etc.

It also comes with a one-time voucher to the US Airways club.

Thank you!