Sachin Walls
If you're looking to get a companion pass at the airport, there are a few options available. Some airlines offer companion passes as a benefit of their credit cards or loyalty programs, such as Southwest's Companion Pass, which allows you to bring a friend or family member on flights with you for just the cost of taxes and fees. Additionally, escort passes are available at some airports and airlines for those who need assistance or are travelling with minor children. These passes allow a companion to go through security and accompany the traveller to the departure or arrival gate. It's important to note that escort passes are not typically available for international arrivals due to customs and immigration regulations. Companion certificates are also offered by some airlines, providing discounts or complimentary tickets for companions when certain criteria are met. These certificates may have specific requirements and restrictions, so it's important to check with the airline beforehand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airlines offering Companion Pass | Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada |
| Requirements | Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, use a Rapid Rewards Credit Card, use a co-branded credit card, use an Aeroplan Premium Credit Card |
| Benefits | Choose one person to fly with you for free, eligible for Complimentary Upgrades, choose an available seat for your companion, board together with your companion, extend Tier Member seating and checked bag benefits to your companion |
| Restrictions | Only available for Economy Class fares, not available for international flights arriving in the US, not transferable, only one credit card account eligible per Southwest Rapid Rewards Member |
| Process | Book through a Customer Representative, notify that a Companion Pass will be used, select an available seat for your companion |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Companion Pass eligibility with credit cards
Companion passes are a benefit that allows you to bring a companion to fly with you, either for free or at a discount. While they are typically offered by airline credit cards, some airlines offer them as part of their loyalty programs. Here is a detailed overview of companion pass eligibility with credit cards:
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines offers a Companion Pass to its Rapid Rewards Cardmembers. Cardholders can earn one boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year, which will be deposited into their eligible Rapid Rewards account by January 31 or within 30 days of account opening. To be eligible for the qualifying points boost, your credit card account must be open and not in default. Additionally, only one credit card account per Southwest Rapid Rewards Member is eligible for the boost.
To qualify for the Companion Pass, you can either fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. The Companion Pass will be valid for the remainder of the year in which you earned it and the following full calendar year. Cardholders can change their designated companion up to three times each calendar year.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines offers Companion Certificates to eligible Delta SkyMiles credit cardholders. The Companion Certificate allows your companion to travel with you on a round trip in First Class, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, or the Main Cabin. To be eligible, you must purchase certain adult round-trip fares on published routings originating within the United States, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands to specific destinations. Both passengers must be booked simultaneously on the same flights and dates, in the same class of service.
Air Canada
Air Canada offers an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass to its Aeroplan Premium Credit Cardholders. The pass can be used for round-trip or one-way bookings in Economy Class. However, it is not transferable and has no monetary value. The pass is valid until its expiry date, but you can travel after the expiry date subject to flight schedule availability at the time of booking.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa offers a Miles & More Mastercard Companion Ticket for those who fly with a companion at least once a year. Cardholders receive a companion ticket every year that covers the economy fare, excluding taxes and fees. This benefit starts with the first use of the Miles & More credit card and is provided annually on the account anniversary upon purchasing an eligible paid economy class fare.
Airport Food Warming: What's Allowed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Companion Pass qualifying points
There are several ways to earn qualifying points for the Southwest Companion Pass. One of the quickest ways to earn qualifying points is to earn a large welcome bonus by opening a Southwest credit card. These bonus points count toward earning a Companion Pass. Southwest credit cardholders also receive an automatic boost of 10,000 qualifying points each calendar year, which will be deposited into their eligible Rapid Rewards account by January 31 or up to 30 days after account opening.
You can also earn qualifying points by flying 100 one-way qualifying flights in a calendar year and earning points for every dollar spent on a qualifying flight. Additionally, you can earn qualifying points by booking a hotel or renting a car through one of Southwest's partners.
Purchases made through Rapid Rewards Dining and Rapid Rewards Shopping can also earn you qualifying points. Furthermore, you can earn qualifying points through partner hotel stays, credit card rentals, and more.
It's important to note that points transferred to Southwest or purchased directly from them do not count as qualifying points for the Companion Pass.
Kolkata Airport: Where to Buy Cigarettes?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Companion Pass expiry and extension
Companion Passes are offered by some airlines, such as Southwest Airlines and Air Canada. These passes allow a traveller to add a companion to their reservation, with the companion only needing to pay taxes and fees.
The expiry and extension of a Companion Pass depend on the airline. For Southwest Airlines, the Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the year in which it was earned, as well as the following full calendar year. For example, if a pass was earned in February 2024, it would be valid until the end of February 2025.
For Air Canada's Annual Worldwide Companion Pass, the pass can be used for travel after its expiry date, subject to flight schedule availability at the time of booking. However, the pass cannot be transferred and has no monetary or exchange value.
It is important to note that the terms and conditions of Air Canada's Companion Pass are subject to the General Conditions of Carriage & Tariffs at the time of redemption, and customers should refer to the terms and conditions related to their eligible Aeroplan credit card for complete details.
In the case of Delta Air Lines, if a wholly unused Primary ticket and Companion ticket are cancelled on or after the specified date (in this case, December 7, 2023), the Companion Certificate redeemed will be automatically reissued after the cancellation is processed and will retain its original expiration date.
CBD at Denver Airport: Where and How to Buy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Companion Pass restrictions
Companion Passes are offered by some airlines, such as Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines, to their loyal customers. These passes allow the pass holder to choose a companion to fly with them for free, except for taxes and fees, for an unlimited number of times during the pass validity period.
While the Companion Pass itself has minimal restrictions, the companion ticket is subject to certain rules and limitations. Here are some of the key restrictions associated with the Companion Pass:
Booking and Availability
- Both the pass holder and the companion must be booked on the same flights and dates, at the same time.
- The companion ticket is subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or markets.
- Reservations are required for Companion Pass travel. The pass holder must book their flight before booking the designated companion's flight.
- The pass holder and the companion must be booked in the same class of service and in the same record.
- The Companion Pass is only valid for certain classes of service, which may vary depending on the airline. For example, Delta Air Lines offers Companion Certificates for First Class, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin, while Southwest Airlines does not offer the Companion Pass for Business Select fares.
Transferability and Changes
- Companion tickets are typically non-transferable.
- The companion's ticket is linked to the pass holder's ticket. If the pass holder's ticket is cancelled or changed, the companion's ticket will also be cancelled or changed accordingly.
- Southwest Airlines allows Companion Pass members to change their designated companion up to three times per calendar year.
Fare Rules and Restrictions
- The Companion Pass is subject to the fare rules and restrictions of the purchased ticket. This includes advance purchase requirements, minimum and maximum stay requirements, and any other applicable terms and conditions.
- The Companion Pass cannot be combined with other offers or discounts, such as web fares, sale fares, or eCoupons.
- The Companion Pass may be valid for one-way or round-trip bookings, depending on the airline's policies.
- Additional taxes, fees, and charges may apply to the companion ticket, such as government-imposed taxes, checked bag fees, and any other applicable surcharges.
- The companion ticket typically does not accrue miles or points, unlike the primary ticket.
It is important for pass holders to review the specific terms and conditions provided by the airline to understand all the restrictions and requirements associated with their Companion Pass.
How to Outsmart Airport Scanners
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Escort passes for minors and people with disabilities
An escort pass allows family members to accompany their minor children, grandchildren, and relatives with mobility issues or disabilities to departure gates. Escort passes are also issued to those who need to meet minor children or persons with disabilities at a domestic arrival gate. Escort pass holders must clear airport security and comply with the same regulations as an airline passenger.
To obtain an escort pass, you must go with your relative or friend to the check-in counter, request a pass, and present your government-issued photo ID. It is important to note that escort passes are not always issued at the airport, so it is recommended to call ahead and plan accordingly. Additionally, escort passes are never issued for people meeting passengers on incoming international flights in the US due to customs and immigration regulations.
If your loved one or friend needs wheelchair assistance, it is advised to call the airline at least 48 hours in advance to arrange for a wheelchair service. Be sure to mention if your companion is elderly, has a disability, or is a minor. Providing them with a pre-programmed cell phone that includes emergency contact numbers, airline ticketing phone numbers, and your contact information is also recommended.
Some airlines, such as American Airlines, offer special assistance for customers with disabilities. They help customers with cognitive or developmental disabilities board, deplane, and connect flights. Customers needing constant care or who cannot follow safety instructions must travel with a safety assistant, and American Airlines may require a safety assistant if deemed necessary.
Exploring Austin Airport Arrivals from the Inside
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A companion pass is a benefit that allows you to choose one person to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) every time you purchase or redeem points for a flight.
There are various ways to get a companion pass. Some airline credit cards offer companion passes as benefits. For example, Southwest offers a Companion Pass to its Rapid Rewards Cardmembers. You can also earn a companion pass by flying a certain number of qualifying flights or earning a certain number of qualifying points.
Southwest Airlines is known for offering a Companion Pass to its customers.
You can get a Southwest Companion Pass by flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. Southwest Rapid Rewards Cardmembers will also earn one boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year.
A companion pass is a benefit offered by some airlines that allows you to bring a companion on your flight for free (excluding taxes and fees). An escort pass is issued by an airline to someone who needs to accompany a minor child or a person with a disability to a departure or arrival gate.
