Companion Certificate Issues
 

I have had the American Express Delta Skymiles Reserve card for a few years and up until this year have always had an easy time using the first class companion certificate that comes with the card. Recently, I tried to use the companion certificate for two first class tickets for my wife and I. The travel was from Atlanta to Las Vegas during the 2014 Christmas season. I tried to the book the reservation for multiple flight times and days using their website could never get it to complete the reservation. Upon the final selection it would always send me back to the beginning reservation page with an error that the certificate was invalid for the flights I chose. For the flights we desired the price for the tickets, with the companion certificate, was $1,134.20 all-in (the price of an individual first class ticket). I called the Delta Airlines promotions line and they ended up quoting me a fare that was double the price of a normal first class ticket. I asked them and ask you, what is the point of a companion certificate when it is double the price of a single ticket and equal to the price of purchase two first class tickets? When I talked to Delta customer care and told them the companion certificate is a sham and could be construed as false advertising they still were unable to do anything. Delta’s promotion desk and customer service were less than helpful and would not let me use the companion certificate for the fare it should’ve been honored for. As a last resort I tried to use this certificate for other flights to other airports such as LAX, ONT, SNA and it was not accepted for any of them using different times and dates for potential flights. At this point I feel completely ripped off by both Delta and American Express. The companion certificate is a complete rip off and is an item that Delta and American Express heavily promote for people to sign-up for a Delta American Express card. I am submitting this complaint because I believe Delta must accept the companion certificate for the normal fares they published on their website and not for a fare that is double that price. In this case, the two fares available for each flight was the normal fare and the refundable fare. I believe the way they represent the first class companion certificate and how you can actually redeem it constitute false advertising. From my perspective the companion certificate is a lie and doesn’t actually work. Has anyone else had this issue and if so, how have you gotten past this?

Did you both to look to see when the blackout dates were. Usually most airlines have specific dates that travel certificates can and can not be used. The Christmas Holiday period through the 1st few days into the New Year are restricted, and the fares tend to be a bit higher. try early to mid fall. About 1-2 weeks before Columbus day weekend and after and up to 1-2 weeks before the Thanksgiving rush.

I did double check blackout dates and nowhere was it posted on Delta's site that the companion certificate was not usable during that time for those locations. I was able to book a ticket into John Wayne airport with the companion certificate but I was unable to do so into LAS from ATL. Again, the dates were not blacked out and it looked as though the companion certificate was redeemable until I got to the final step on the website. What I find most suspicious is the fact that I had to call and have verbal confirmation of the increase in price. Remember, the seats were not blacked out, rather, they wanted to simply negate the companion certificate by charging me full price while redeeming it.

Though I was able to redeem the companion certificate at a different airport I believe there is still an incredible hole and misrepresentation here with this program. Per Amex, I should be able to use this certificate as a buy one get one free on any domestic first class ticket.