You cannot transfer a Delta Companion Certificate to someone else — the certificate is tied to the person who earned it and can only be used by that person when they book a flight.
Delta Companion Certificates are non-transferable benefits. When you earn one through a credit card sign-up bonus, a status tier, or a promotional offer, it belongs to you alone. You cannot give it to a family member, friend, or colleague, and you cannot sell it. If someone else tries to use your certificate, Delta will reject the booking.
What you can do is book a flight for yourself and have the companion (the other person flying with you) sit in the seat next to you at a reduced fare. The certificate discount applies to their ticket, not to a transferable voucher. This means you have to be on the same flight, and you have to be the one making the reservation.
Key Takeaways
- Delta Companion Certificates cannot be transferred, sold, or given to another person under any circumstances.
- You must use the certificate yourself by booking a flight and adding a companion on the same reservation.
- The companion can be anyone — a family member, friend, or colleague — but you must be traveling on the same flight.
- If you do not use your certificate before it expires, it is forfeited; Delta does not extend expiration dates or issue replacements.
- Some credit card issuers allow you to request a new certificate if yours expires unused, but this depends on your specific card agreement.
How to Use Your Certificate on a Flight You Are Taking
To use your Companion Certificate, log into your Delta SkyMiles account and start a new flight search. Select your departure and arrival cities, your travel dates, and the number of passengers. When you reach the seat selection and payment screen, you will see an option to apply your Companion Certificate.
Enter the certificate number (found in your SkyMiles account under "My Certificates" or in the email Delta sent you when you earned it). The certificate will reduce the companion's fare to a set amount — usually between $50 and $150 plus taxes and fees, depending on the route and how far in advance you book. You pay the full price for your own ticket and the discounted price for the companion's ticket.
Both passengers must be on the same flight. You cannot split the certificate between two different flights or use it for someone traveling alone. The companion's name must be provided at booking, and it cannot be changed after the reservation is confirmed.
Expiration Dates and What Happens If You Do Not Use It
Companion Certificates expire one year from the date you receive them. If you earned the certificate through a Delta credit card sign-up bonus, the expiration date is printed on the certificate itself or visible in your SkyMiles account. If you earned it through elite status or a promotion, Delta will send you the expiration date by email.
Once a certificate expires, it cannot be used. Delta does not extend expiration dates, issue refunds, or replace expired certificates automatically. However, some Delta credit card issuers (American Express, for example) may allow you to request a replacement certificate if yours expires unused, but this is at the card issuer's discretion and is not may provide.
Check your certificate's expiration date well in advance. If you are unsure when yours expires, log into your SkyMiles account and look under "My Certificates." If the date is approaching and you have not booked a flight, plan your trip soon or contact Delta to confirm whether your card issuer offers a replacement option.
Restrictions on Which Flights Accept the Certificate
Not every Delta flight allows you to use a Companion Certificate. The certificate cannot be used on basic economy fares, on flights operated by Delta Connection partners (regional carriers flying under the Delta name), or on certain international routes. Some blackout dates also apply — typically around major holidays and peak travel periods.
When you search for flights in your SkyMiles account, the system will show you only the flights and dates where the certificate is valid. If a flight does not appear in your search results, the certificate cannot be used on that route or date. You can still book that flight, but you will pay full price for both passengers.
If You Want Someone Else to Benefit From a Discount
If you cannot travel but want to help someone else save money on a Delta flight, the Companion Certificate will not help — but there are other options. You could purchase a discounted Delta gift card and give it to them, or you could look for promotional fares that Delta runs throughout the year. You could also transfer your SkyMiles balance to a family member (subject to Delta's rules) so they can use those miles to book their own flight.
If you have a Delta credit card and a family member also opens the same card, they will earn their own Companion Certificate. This is the only way to get a second certificate without using your own.
What to Do If Your Certificate Is Lost or Damaged
If you received a physical Companion Certificate in the mail and it is lost, damaged, or unreadable, contact Delta SkyMiles customer service. You will need to provide your SkyMiles account number and the date you received the certificate. Delta can reissue the certificate with the same expiration date, though this process may take several business days.
If you earned the certificate through a credit card sign-up bonus and never received it, contact the credit card issuer first. They can confirm whether the certificate was issued and can request a replacement from Delta on your behalf. Keep any promotional materials or emails related to the offer — these help prove you earned the certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give my Companion Certificate to my spouse or family member?
No. Companion Certificates are non-transferable and can only be used by the person whose name is on the certificate. You must be the one booking the flight and traveling on it. Your companion can be anyone, but you have to be on the same flight.
What if I book the flight but my companion cannot go — can I use the certificate for someone else?
No. Once a reservation is made with a companion's name, that name cannot be changed. You would have to cancel the reservation and rebook with a different companion, which may result in change fees depending on your ticket type and the airline's policies at the time.
Can I sell my Companion Certificate?
No. Selling a Companion Certificate violates Delta's terms of service. The certificate is a benefit tied to your account and cannot be transferred or sold to anyone else.
What if my certificate expires before I can use it?
Once expired, the certificate cannot be used. Some credit card issuers may issue a replacement if you request one, but this is not automatic. Contact your card issuer to ask about their replacement policy. If Delta issued the certificate through a promotion or status tier, contact Delta directly to ask whether an exception can be made.
Can I use my certificate on a flight booked through a travel agent or third-party website?
No. You must book directly through Delta's website or by calling Delta reservations. Third-party booking sites and travel agents cannot process Companion Certificates.