Delta Platinum Companion certificate

[Anonymous]

When you get the certificate starting on your second year. Is this somthing that you can use if the first ticket is booked using skymiles or do you have to pay cash using the card.

Also, I know this is only for main cabin domestic flights. are there any other restrictions beond that? Is it avalable for all main cabin domestic flights or only certian flights?

[K-in-Boston]

One of the two tickets needs to be a cash fare paid to Delta; you cannot book it together with an award flight, but you could use Pay With Miles for a fairly lackluster 1 cpp (in $50 increments; less than 1 cpp if you were to use 5000 miles to pay for any portion less than $50).  It's available for use on any flight with L, U, X, T, or V inventory.  If you are in the 48 contiguous states, you cannot fly to AK, HI, PR, or USVI.  No other restrictions.

[K-in-Boston]

I should also add that there is a specific process for using the certificates from your Certificates & eCredits page that makes it simple.  Just pop in your dates and destination and it will automatically show you all flights with available fares, so there are no hoops to jump through to redeem.  LUXTV fare codes should be ample as long as you not booking last-minute when only higher fares are left.

[Anonymous]

That's a bummer. After my first year I will probably downgrade the platinum to to blue and then get an Amex Gold for the 4x grocery and food points.

I usually only travel once a year (sometimes twice) with no more then two people.... So I would never be able to use my skymiles if I always have to pay cash in order to use the companion certificate.

so I think the 4x on the Amex gold would be a better option for me. I think that card also has a higher flight credit that would cover the checked bag... no priority though. Maybe I could also sign up for delta gold when I switch (more points)!

[K-in-Boston]

Why not save the SkyMiles for the times when you fly twice a year and use them for both tickets?  The companion certificate would easily cover the cost of the annual fee.

Yes, Amex Gold has a $100 annual travel credit that will cover checked bags as long as you have selected Delta as your airline.  Generally airline cards are more for perks than earning, so they are not really comparable cards.  Other than the signup bonus, there's not much value in Delta Gold.  You would need to check at least 3 bags a year just to break even on the annual fee.

[wasCB14]

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@Anonymous wrote:

That's a bummer. After my first year I will probably downgrade the platinum to to blue and then get an Amex Gold for the 4x grocery and food points.

I usually only travel once a year (sometimes twice) with no more then two people.... So I would never be able to use my skymiles if I always have to pay cash in order to use the companion certificate.

so I think the 4x on the Amex gold would be a better option for me. I think that card also has a higher flight credit that would cover the checked bag... no priority though. Maybe I could also sign up for delta gold when I switch (more points)!

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At least in my experience, "priority" boarding usually puts me in the second half of people to board. I tend to fly between SFO/LAX/JFK...elite-heavy cities.

If you lack status, the Amex Delta Gold's $99 AF can be a bargain for the bag perk. You might not want to downgrade all the way to Blue. You might be eligible for the Gold SUB or Amex may say you're ineligible. Banks are getting more conservative with SUB eligibility.

3 people * twice a year * both ways * $30 = up to $360 in bag fees.