What a Delta Companion Certificate Lets You Do
A Delta companion certificate gives you a discount on a second airline ticket when you buy a main ticket at full price on Delta Air Lines. The companion flies for a reduced fare—typically $0 plus taxes and fees, though the exact price depends on the route and when you book. You buy one ticket normally, then use the certificate to book the second ticket at that lower rate on the same flight or a connecting itinerary.
The certificate is not a free ticket. You still pay taxes, fees, and carrier-imposed charges on the companion ticket, which usually total $20 to $50 depending on the flight length and destination. The main ticket must be purchased at the full published fare or higher; you cannot use the certificate if you booked the main ticket with miles, a voucher, or a heavily discounted code.
Key Takeaways
- You must buy the main ticket first at full price, then use the certificate to book the companion ticket on the same reservation or within the same trip.
- The companion ticket costs $0 base fare plus taxes and fees, which typically run $20 to $50 depending on route and distance.
- Both passengers must travel together on the same flights; you cannot split the certificate between two separate trips.
- Certificates expire on a specific date printed on the certificate itself, and Delta does not extend or replace expired certificates.
- You book the companion ticket through Delta's website, phone line, or a ticket counter by providing your certificate number at the time of purchase.
How to Book the Main Ticket and Companion Ticket Together
Start by booking the main ticket on Delta's website or by calling 1-800-221-1212. Choose your outbound flight and return flight if you are traveling round-trip. Complete the purchase at the full published fare—do not use a discount code, miles, or a voucher for this ticket. Once the main ticket is issued, you will receive a confirmation number.
Next, go back to Delta.com and search for the same flights again. During the booking process, look for a field or option that says "Add Companion Ticket" or "Use Companion Certificate." Enter your certificate number exactly as it appears on the physical certificate or in your email. The system will show you the reduced fare for the companion ticket. Review the total cost, which includes the $0 base fare plus taxes and fees, then complete the purchase.
If you book by phone, tell the agent you want to purchase a main ticket and then add a companion certificate. The agent will book both tickets in the same call and charge you for both at that time. If you book at a ticket counter, bring the physical certificate or have the certificate number ready. The agent will process both tickets together and print your boarding passes.
What Happens If You Book the Tickets Separately
If you book the main ticket and the companion ticket on two different reservations, you will not receive the companion discount on the second ticket. Delta's system ties the companion certificate to a specific main ticket confirmation number, so both must be in the same booking or added to the same itinerary during the purchase process.
If you accidentally book them separately, contact Delta customer service at 1-800-221-1212 and explain what happened. An agent may be able to combine the reservations or issue a refund for the companion ticket so you can rebook it correctly. This process can take several days, so it is faster to get the booking right the first time by adding the certificate during your initial purchase.
Restrictions and Rules for Companion Certificates
Both passengers must travel on the same flights. You cannot use a companion certificate to book one person on a morning flight and another person on an afternoon flight, even on the same day. If you are flying round-trip, both passengers must be on the outbound flight and both must be on the return flight.
The main ticket must be purchased at the full published fare or a higher fare class. If you booked the main ticket using a discount code, a promotional offer, miles, a voucher, or a reduced-fare program, you cannot add a companion certificate to that reservation. The certificate works only with standard, full-price bookings.
Companion certificates have an expiration date printed on the certificate itself. This date is typically one year from the date the certificate was issued. Once that date passes, the certificate cannot be used, and Delta does not extend or replace expired certificates. Check your certificate's expiration date before you book.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common error is booking the main ticket with a discount code or promotional fare and then trying to add the companion certificate. The system will reject the certificate because the main ticket does not may have access to. Always verify that you are purchasing the main ticket at the full published fare before you proceed.
Another mistake is waiting too long to use the certificate. If your certificate expires in three months and you have not booked yet, book soon. There is no grace period, and expired certificates cannot be reissued. Set a reminder on your phone or calendar for one month before the expiration date so you have time to plan your trip.
Some travelers try to use the companion certificate for a different person on each leg of a round-trip flight. This does not work. The same companion must travel on both the outbound and return flights. If you want different people to travel, you would need separate companion certificates for each person.
What to Do If Your Certificate Is Lost or Damaged
If you received your certificate by email, save that email or take a screenshot of the certificate number. If you received a physical certificate by mail and it is lost or damaged, contact Delta at 1-800-221-1212 with your confirmation number or the certificate number if you have it. An agent can look up your certificate in the system and provide the number over the phone.
Delta does not reissue lost or damaged certificates. If you cannot locate your certificate number and Delta cannot find it in their system, you will not be able to use that certificate. This is why it is important to save your certificate information in multiple places—email, a note in your phone, or a photo—as soon as you receive it.
Booking a Companion Certificate on Delta's Website Versus by Phone
Booking on Delta.com is usually faster if you are comfortable navigating the website. You can search for flights, add the companion certificate during checkout, and see the final price before you pay. The website shows you the taxes and fees upfront so there are no surprises.
Booking by phone at 1-800-221-1212 is helpful if you have questions about which flights may have access to, if you need help finding the companion certificate field on the website, or if you want an agent to walk you through the process. Phone agents can also sometimes see additional flight options or fares that may not appear on the website. Wait times vary, but calling early in the morning or late in the evening is usually faster than midday.
At a Delta ticket counter, you can book in person if you are already at the airport or a Delta office. Bring your physical certificate or have the certificate number written down. The agent will process both tickets and print your boarding passes on the spot. This option is useful if you prefer to handle everything face-to-face or if you have a complex itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a companion certificate if I booked my main ticket with miles?
No. The main ticket must be purchased with cash or a credit card at the full published fare. If you booked the main ticket using Delta SkyMiles or any other miles program, you cannot add a companion certificate to that reservation. You would need to cancel that booking and rebook the main ticket at the full fare to use the certificate.
What if the companion ticket costs more than the main ticket?
The companion ticket will always be the lower of the two fares. Delta applies the companion discount to whichever ticket has the lower base fare. You pay full price for the higher-fare ticket and the reduced rate for the lower-fare ticket. The taxes and fees are calculated separately for each ticket.
Can I use a companion certificate for a one-way flight?
Yes. You can book a one-way main ticket and a one-way companion ticket on the same flight. Both passengers must be on that single flight. If you want to fly round-trip, both passengers must be on both the outbound and return flights, and you use one certificate for the entire round-trip itinerary.
Do I have to travel with the companion, or can someone else use the ticket?
The companion ticket is tied to a specific person's name at the time of booking. That person must be the one who travels. You cannot book a companion ticket for one person and then have a different person use it. The name on the ticket and the name on the ID presented at the airport must match.
What happens if I need to change or cancel the companion ticket?
Changes and cancellations depend on the fare type of your main ticket and Delta's current policies. Contact Delta at 1-800-221-1212 to discuss your options. Some fares allow free changes, while others charge a fee. If you cancel the companion ticket, you do not get a refund of the taxes and fees, but you may receive a credit toward a future flight depending on the fare rules.