maj

When you book a flight using the free companion ticket it appears that you can't do it through Delta, but have to call an 800 number. Is that a travel service? I like to look online and see my choices for flights (I have found I do better than any travel agent I have used). Has anyone used this service? I'm debating upgrading to this card (it would only be $50 more a year). I read the one post on this subject (and got completely confused), but since it has been a while, I wondered if anyone has had any new experiences with this particular card.

BeachBoi

maj.....According to a friend of mine who works for American Express, the call you make goes to a department within American Express Travel.It is a "travel service"....BUT, all they do all day long is book the free companion tickets.They know all the ins outs blackouts all the rules.If I were booking that sort of ticket, I would want to speak to that person.It is not the ordinary, run of the mill "travel service".Hope this helps and best of luck.

Patty

What you can do is look up the flights you want and make sure there are at least 2 seats available in L, U, or T class. Then call the 800# and ask to reserve those flights. They will hold your reservation until the end of the following day and you need to go to an airport ticket counter to get it issued. The first passenger pays the LUT fare while the second passenger pays only the taxes. Both passengers are charged a $15 airport ticketing fee. There are no blackout dates or other restrictions that I'm aware of.

Patty

Keep in mind that you don't receive your first companion cert until after your card renewal. I don't know whether you'd keep your original anniversary date if upgrading from the Gold card. You might want to ask as that would affect the timing of your cert. If you were to apply for a completely new Plat card today, you'd receive your first cert about 14 months from now. My card renews in late Nov and I got my cert in Jan.

I believe the Gold card now comes with a $99 companion cert. I'm pretty sure it works the same way as the free companion offer only in this case the companion pays $99 more.

maj

Thanks to both of you.

I did go ahead and upgrade. He said it would be a year -- on our next renewal when we would get our certificate. (just renewed our Gold card) We already have tickets for this year and frequent flier miles, so probably wouldn't use it until then anyway.

What does L, U and T stand for? I assume it is first, business or coach but haven't heard that term before.

Patty

LUT are all deep discounted economy fares. When you search on delta.com, it will show you the fare class (choose "lowest fares" or search by fare class). If there are no more LUT fares (or just one), then you can't use the companion cert.

maj

Found it -- thanks.

alliegator

Does Delta vary their LUT availability often or are there set amounts per plane?

I was looking at particular days and flights (yeah i know...i'm not flexible this time) So i was wondering if I keep checking if it may open up that class ticket for the $99 companion ticket.

Patty

When are you traveling? LUT fares usually have advance purchase restrictions so may not be available close to departure. The cert works best if you can plan ahead.

alliegator

Not flying until January.

Patty

In that case, yes, keep checking. The lowest fares may not be available yet.

dina4

Also keep in mind that there is a lot of small print of exceptions on the companion ticket, and it is not so easy to use.