For those without an eligible Capital One credit card, visiting a Capital One Lounge before a flight just got pricier.
12.08.2024 - 20:42 / thepointsguy.com
Several rewards credit cards offer airline companion tickets as a standard benefit or as a reward for spending. Some of these companion fares are fairly easy to use, while others are more restrictive. Knowing the rules in advance will help you get the most out of them when you're ready to redeem.
Here's how some of the most popular companion tickets work and how to know if your companion ticket is still valid if you cancel the associated credit card.
First, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card cardmembers receive an annual Delta companion ticket with each annual card renewal.
Since this voucher benefit is extended to both the consumer and small-business versions of the cards, you can earn more than one companion voucher if you have multiple. However, these vouchers are not granted in the first year, meaning you must renew your card and pay the annual fee to earn it (see rates and fees for the Delta Platinum Amex; see rates and fees for the Delta Platinum Business Amex; see rates and fees for the Delta Reserve Amex; see rates and fees for the Delta Reserve Business Amex).
According to Delta's terms and conditions for the above cards, if you close or downgrade your Delta card within 60 days of the annual fee posting, your companion ticket will likely be canceled or voided.
A different example would be British Airways, which offers what's known as the Travel Together Ticket, earned after making $30,000 in purchases in a calendar year on the British Airways Visa Signature® Card.
This companion fare allows you to book a second ticket in conjunction with a round-trip award flight or receive a 50% discount when traveling solo. While you won't have to cover the normal Avios requirement for the second ticket, you'll still have to pay taxes and fees for both passengers, which can add up quickly.
Your card account must still be open and in good standing in order to redeem the Travel Together ticket. The terms and conditions stipulate that only primary cardholders are eligible to receive this benefit and that you must remain eligible for the promotion at the time of travel.
I've heard from flyers whose vouchers remained active in their Executive Club accounts after their cards were canceled, but the official policy (which I've confirmed with my contacts at Chase) is that closing your account will nullify the Travel Together ticket.
If your account is open, the ticket remains valid for 24 months from the issue date.
These rules are somewhat inconsistent with other companion tickets, however. For example, the Alaska Airlines Companion Fareis
For those without an eligible Capital One credit card, visiting a Capital One Lounge before a flight just got pricier.
There's a good chance your credit card has some valuable benefits you might not know about. Most cards come with additional features like extended warranties, zero liability and identity theft protections, free credit monitoring and even roadside assistance.
Bermuda-based carrier BermudAir is making it easier to plan an epic vacation for two by offering complimentary companion tickets for fall getaways.
Colombia has become the top destination for U.S. visitors in South America, and for good reason. The “Country of Beauty’s” commitment to showcasing its 10% share of the planet’s biodiversity and rich cultural diversity has earned it several international tourism awards, including the recent title of Best Afro Tourist Destination in the World at the World Travel Market (WTM).
Even though Vienna won’t be hosting a Taylor Swift concert this week, it’s still getting a tourism boost from her fans.
While applying for a new credit card is typically the fastest and easiest way to rack up a meaningful number of points and miles, sometimes the first welcome offer you see for a given card isn't always the best.
Like many TPGers, I've been sucked into credit cards with annual fees, but when I'm out and about, I use just two credit cards in my daily life.
Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kayla Sommese, a Taylor Swift fan who traveled from Los Angeles to Vienna to catch Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified her expenses.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bianca Capazorio, a 41-year-old Swiftie based in Cape Town, South Africa. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified her expenses.
A test run meant to allow athletes to familiarise themselves with the marathon swimming course in the Seine River was cancelled on Tuesday due to concerns about the quality of the Paris waterway.
Whether it's down the street or across the country, moving can be a pain — and an expensive one. It's shocking how much good boxes cost, and that's not even touching the decor you'll purchase for your new place or the takeout food you'll order while your kitchen is packed.