How To Get and Use the American Airlines Companion Certificate

Saving money on airline tickets is a goal for most of us, so knowing how to utilize companion certificates is a smart piece of knowledge to acquire. While many airlines offer companion certificates, they all work a little differently.

In this post, we’ll review exactly what the American Airlines Companion Certificate is, what you need to do to get one, and how to redeem it for a companion flight.

Table of contents

What Is the American Airlines Companion Certificate?
- Cost of the American Airlines Companion Certificate
How To Get an American Airlines Companion Certificate
How To Use the American Airlines Companion Certificate
Final Thoughts

Table of Contents

What Is the American Airlines Companion Certificate?
- Cost of the American Airlines Companion Certificate
How To Get an American Airlines Companion Certificate
How To Use the American Airlines Companion Certificate
Final Thoughts

What Is the American Airlines Companion Certificate?

The American Airlines Companion Certificate is a benefit offered on several American Airlines credit cards. It allows the cardholder to purchase a companion ticket for $99 plus taxes.

The Companion Certificate does have some restrictions that you’ll want to keep in mind. For starters, it’s only good on qualifying domestic economy tickets (within the 48 contiguous states) on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or on flights marketed by American Airlines but operated by any of the following airlines:

Compass Airlines LLC*
American Eagle by Envoy Air Inc.**
Envoy Air Inc.
Mesa Airlines Inc.
Piedmont Airlines Inc.
PSA Airlines Inc.
Republic Airways Inc.
SkyWest Airlines Inc.

* Valid on certificates from Barclays credit cards only.
** Valid on certificates from Citi credit cards only.

The companion certificate is not valid on Oneworld flights or any American Airlines codeshare flights.

For Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

For residents of these states and territories, the companion certificate is valid on round-trip economy tickets originating in the state or territory of residence with a destination in the 48 contiguous states.

Only certificates earned from Citi cards offer eligibility for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands residents.

Cost of the American Airlines Companion Certificate

When you earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate, you won’t be getting a completely free ticket, or even one that you just have to pay taxes on (like the Southwest Companion Pass).

The companion ticket will cost $99 plus taxes which range from $21.60 to $43.20.

Bottom Line: The American Airlines Companion Certificate isn’t free. It costs $99 plus taxes, so you’ll end up paying between $120.60 to $142.20 for the companion fare.

How To Get an American Airlines Companion Certificate

The American Airlines Companion Certificate can be earned by spending either $20,000 or $30,000 on select American Airlines credit cards.

Here’s a quick look at which credit cards come with a companion certificate:

Credit Card	Minimum Spend Requirement	Number of Companion Certificates Available
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®	$20,000	1
AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®*	$20,000	2
AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®	$30,000	1
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®	$30,000	1

* No longer open to new applicants

Hot Tip: The AAdvantage Aviator Silver card comes with a companion certificate that’s good for 2 companion flights for $99 each once the minimum spending requirement is met. This card is no longer open to new applicants, but you can upgrade to it if you have the AAdvantage Aviator Red card.

American Airlines Main Cabin — An American Airlines Companion Certificate allows you to purchase a second economy seat for $99 plus tax. Image Credit: American Airlines

In addition to the minimum spending requirements, there are some additional things to keep in mind when earning an American Airlines Companion Certificate.

The minimum spend requirement is based on net purchases within the cardmember year (the 12-month period through your cardmember anniversary month).
Your account must remain open for a minimum of 45 days after the anniversary date (or for a full billing cycle for the CitiBusiness Platinum Select card).
The certificate is valid for 1 year from the date of issue.
The certificate is only valid for qualifying round-trip domestic economy fares purchased through American Airlines Meeting Services.
After meeting the requirements, the certificate will be available for use within 1 to 2 weeks for AAdvantage Aviator cardholders or 8 to 10 weeks for CitiBusiness Platinum Select cardholders.

Bottom Line: The American Airlines Companion Certificate is only good for round-trip domestic economy tickets. Certificates earned through the CitiBusiness Platinum Select card specify that the economy ticket must be a Main Cabin fare.

How To Use the American Airlines Companion Certificate

American Airlines Companion Certificates are good for qualifying round-trip domestic economy flights. That means you can’t use these certificates for business class or first class tickets. In addition, the certificate earned from the CitiBusiness Platinum Select card specifies that it can’t be used for Basic Economy fares.

If you live in the contiguous 48 United States, the companion certificate can only be used on travel within the 48 contiguous states.

If you reside in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, a domestic ticket is one that originates in your state/territory of residence and travels to the contiguous 48 states.

American Airlines Companion Certificates can be redeemed by calling American Airlines Meeting Services at 800-433-1790.

Final Thoughts

The American Airlines Companion Certificate is almost like getting a 2-for-1 deal. With this certificate, cardholders who meet the minimum spending requirement will be eligible for a $99 companion ticket (plus taxes) when they purchase a domestic economy ticket. It’s a nice perk on select American Airlines credit cards.

If the American Airlines Companion Certificate doesn’t work well for you, other airlines offer companion certificates, including Delta, Southwest, British Airways, and Alaska Airlines.

The information regarding the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Featured Image Credit: American Airlines

Frequently asked questions

What is an American Airlines Companion Certificate?

An American Airlines Companion Certificate is a perk that comes with select co-branded American Airlines credit cards. Once a cardholder meets a minimum spending requirement ($20,000 to $30,000), they will earn a companion certificate which allows them to add a companion to a domestic economy flight for $99 plus taxes.

Does American Airlines offer companion fares?

Yes, American Airlines offers companion fares through select co-branded credit cards. Cardholders will earn a companion fare certificate after meeting a minimum spending threshold (either $20,000 or $30,000 depending on the card).

What credit cards offer the American Airlines Companion Certificate benefit?

Currently, there are 4 credit cards that offer a companion certificate as a benefit:

AAdvantage Aviator Red card
AAdvantage Aviator Silver card (no longer open to new applicants)
AAdvantage Aviator Business card
CitiBusiness Platinum Select card

Can I use the American Airlines Companion Certificate for first class tickets?

No, the American Airlines Companion Certificate can only be used for economy tickets.

Can I use the American Airlines Companion Certificate to fly to Hawaii?

No, the American Airlines Companion Certificate can only be used for travel within the contiguous 48 states. However, residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands can use the certificate to fly from their home states/territories to the contiguous 48 states.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie fell in love with travel during a semester abroad in college spent in Nottingham, England. During that time, she got to see Scotland, Ireland, London, and Amsterdam and knew she wanted to see more of the world. Fast forward to 2015 when Katie discovered the world of points and miles. She jumped in full force and hasn’t looked back. After starting her own blog, Zen Life and Travel, in 2016, she began freelance writing in 2017. In addition to being a contributor to Upgraded Points since 2018, her work has also been featured in Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Million Mile Secrets.

Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.

44 comments

Mark J Ryberg December 17, 2021
With the new Northeast Alliance with JetBlue, can you purchase a round trip ticket on a JetBlue flight and use your American airlines Companion Certificate to purchase a second round trip ticket on JetBlue inside the 48 US states?
Reply
- Jarrod West December 20, 2021
  Hi Mark,
  So far, it seems that you are only able to use your companion certificate for flights operated by American Airlines.
  Reply
Robert May 8, 2022
The AA Companion ticket requires that you purchase the primary ticket not just the companion ticket through its member services via phone call. So, if you have booked a full fare ticket for business already and then decide to take a companion with you, it doesn’t work. You have to book both tickets at the same time through AA member services.
Reply
sahar mozouni July 20, 2022
Does Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® qualifies for the companion pass?
Reply
- Jarrod West July 20, 2022
  Hi Sahar,
  Unfortunately, the companion pass is not a benefit of that card.
  Reply
Ismael Rohmann August 12, 2022
Hello. Thank you for all this information. This may be a silly question but could you please help me clarify? Once you have a companion certificate, will you be able to use it on unlimited flights during a year for $99 + taxes for each flight? Or is restricted to 1 flight? Thank you, Ismael
Reply
- Christine Krzyszton August 13, 2022
  Hello Ismael. The companion certificate is a single certificate good for just 1 flight.
  Reply
- Ed Damer October 30, 2022
  Can I use “miles” to purchase a ticket along with a companion ticket?
  Reply
  - Jarrod West October 31, 2022
    Hi Ed,
    Companion tickets are only eligible on paid tickets.
    Reply
- Lisa November 8, 2022
  Where in my aa account do I find my companion certificate?
  Reply
  - Jarrod West November 8, 2022
    Hi Lisa,
    You should be able to view it in the wallet section of your account, and it can be redeemed by calling American Airlines Meeting Services at 800-433-1790.
    Reply
Arshad Syed August 18, 2022
On an AA companion certificate, is it possible for the primary cardholder to change the return travel date (after the travel has been completed on the originating leg) to an earlier date when compared to the companion’s original return travel date?
Reply
- Jarrod West August 22, 2022
  Hi Arshad,
  Unfortunately, that is not possible, as the companion must travel on the same flight as the primary cardholder.
  Reply
Tom September 5, 2022
Can you upgrade a companion ticket with a SWU or elite (500 mile) upgrade?
Reply
- Jarrod West September 29, 2022
  Hi Tom,
  American Airlines no longer uses 500 mile upgrades, but you can use an SWU for a companion ticket.
  Reply
Josh November 14, 2022
Can you explain what constitutes an “anniversary year”/
I applied for the card on Dec 4 a few years ago.
My annual fee bills on Jan 5.
Do I have THROUGH all of January? All of December? Until Dec 5? I have no idea.
Reply
- Jarrod West November 15, 2022
  Hi Josh,
  You should have until December 4th as that is the anniversary date of your account. Feel free to clarify with Citi Bank to make certain.
  Reply
Art Jordan December 19, 2022
I own a companion certificate currently earned from my Barclays Aviator card. Can I gift it to my son for his use? Or I would be willing to purchase a ticket in his name and his wife as a companion. Is this possible?
Art Jordan
Reply
- Katie Seemann December 26, 2022
  Hi Art,
  I checked the terms and conditions for AA companion tickets and it doesn’t say whether or not you can transfer it. If it is possible my guess would be that you would have to purchase a ticket for your son and then add his wife as the companion. You can check the specific terms listed on your certificate to see if that’s possible and if you’re still not sure, I would suggest calling AA to check. Let us know how it turns out.
  Reply
- Claudia Corona January 18, 2023
  I’m curious about this as well. Did you get your answer to this question?
  Reply
Tom January 2, 2023
Do you get miles when booking with a companion ticket? I see it’s needs to be a domestic ticket (so is that not main cabin)
Reply
- Jarrod West January 3, 2023
  Hi Tom,
  You would earn miles on the $99 portion of the companion ticket.
  Reply
  - Harry Porter January 4, 2023
    To clarify, since “miles” are now based upon the fare spend, the companion would earn 99 miles x their respective tier multiplier (where non-status = 5, for 495 miles for the itinerary).
    Reply
Milla January 10, 2023
Can those two tickets (paid primary and companion certificate) be upgraded to Business if I have qualifying platinum status with AA?
Reply
- Jarrod West January 18, 2023
  Hi Milla,
  Yes, if there is upgrade space available you can be upgraded.
  Reply
Tim Kieler January 18, 2023
I just received an email from American that I qualified for a companion ticket. Can I order that certificate ahead of time to be used anytime with in the one year window?
Reply
- Jarrod West January 19, 2023
  Hi Tim,
  You have to wait until the certificate is added to your account to use it. American says this can take up to 8 weeks but it is usually much faster.
  Reply
Roxie February 5, 2023
Can a companion certificate be used on an international flight?
Reply
- Jarrod West February 6, 2023
  Hi Roxie,
  No, it cannot be used on an international flight.
  Reply
Roxie February 5, 2023
Can AA employees use buddy passes or just companion certificates?
Reply
- Jarrod West February 6, 2023
  Hi Roxie,
  AA employees cannot use buddy passes.
  Reply
Rich February 7, 2023
Can a companion certificate be used when the primary ticket is purchased with advantage points?
Reply
- Jarrod West February 8, 2023
  Hi Rich,
  No, your companion certificate can only be used on paid tickets.
  Reply
Pam February 12, 2023
How do I determine my anniversary date? Also, do they issue the companion certificate once you meet the requirement or at the end of your qualifying period?
Reply
- Jarrod West February 13, 2023
  Hi Pam,
  Your anniversary date should be the date you were approved for the card.
  Reply
Andrew Gimar March 2, 2023
What a joke. Blackout dates make it so you can’t even use these things. I’ll be paying off my card and never flying American again.
Reply
Raykirk Thomasen March 3, 2023
Thanks for all the info. Maybe this is a silly question, but if you get the 2 certificates with the silver card do they both have to be used on the same flight, or can you do two different flights with one companion each time?
Reply
- Jarrod West March 6, 2023
  Hi Raykirk,
  You do not have to use them on the same flight. Thanks for reading!
  Reply
  - Steven Hollister April 26, 2023
    I’m hoping it’s true. But this is terms in my pass;
    This certificate is valid for 2 guests to travel with you on an eligible, domestic round trip American Airlines® flight for $99 each, plus taxes and fees, when a qualifying economy fare ticket is purchased. Conditions apply.
    Your 1 Companion Certificate may be used for up to 2 guests traveling with you on the same itinerary and reservation. If you redeem your Companion Certificate for 1 guest only, the 2nd guest will be voided and may not be used in the future.
    Reply
COLLEEN GARRETT March 9, 2023
I pay $99 dollars a year for my card. I didn’t travel by plane during the pandemic, so no free bags, etc for me those years – just my fee to pay. I just took a Carribean trip – no free bags included. I used to get a $99 take a companion certificate per year – no minimum balances, etc. Now, I must spend tens of thousands of dollars on my card before I get this perk. I see less and less reasons to not cut up my card.
Reply
Chris March 28, 2023
Is the certificate expiration date, the expiration date for travel or for booking? In other words, do I just have to book travel by the expiration date or does the travel need to take place by the expiration date?
Reply
- Katie Seemann March 28, 2023
  Hi Chris,
  All travel needs to take place by the certificate expiration date.
  Reply
Bunny April 2, 2023
I have the Barclay silver card and will be getting the 2 companion ticket for spending the min required in July. My question is do I have to buy 2 regular fare tickets to use the 2 companion ticket vouchers?
Reply
- Jarrod West April 3, 2023
  Hi Bunny,
  Yes, since the companion vouchers are buy one get one you’d need to purchase 2 regular fare tickets to use both.
  Reply

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How To Get and Use the American Airlines Companion Certificate

What Is the American Airlines Companion Certificate?

For Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Cost of the American Airlines Companion Certificate

How To Get an American Airlines Companion Certificate

How To Use the American Airlines Companion Certificate

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions

What is an American Airlines Companion Certificate?

Does American Airlines offer companion fares?

What credit cards offer the American Airlines Companion Certificate benefit?

Can I use the American Airlines Companion Certificate for first class tickets?

Can I use the American Airlines Companion Certificate to fly to Hawaii?

About Katie Seemann

44 comments

Any thoughts or questions? Comment below! Cancel reply

Advertiser Disclosure

What Is the American Airlines Companion Certificate?

For Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Cost of the American Airlines Companion Certificate

How To Get an American Airlines Companion Certificate

How To Use the American Airlines Companion Certificate

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions

What is an American Airlines Companion Certificate?

Does American Airlines offer companion fares?

What credit cards offer the American Airlines Companion Certificate benefit?

Can I use the American Airlines Companion Certificate for first class tickets?

Can I use the American Airlines Companion Certificate to fly to Hawaii?

About Katie Seemann

44 comments

Any thoughts or questions? Comment below! Cancel reply

Related Posts

Advertiser Disclosure