Does American Airlines Still Offer Companion Tickets?

American Airlines companion tickets: "Are You Able to Buy One in 2023?

Even in the past, American Airlines was famous for providing free companion tickets for the members of its AAdvantage loyalty program. These tickets have always been popular for being allowed to take a friend or a family member at the price of only the taxes and fees on an award flight. Yet in 2016, American Airlines decided to revise the AAdvantage program and remove the companion tickets. This led to many of the loyal customers questioning whether companion tickets on American would ever return. Below is the detail of all the quick deals or offers that have been prevalent in the past and the present with regards to American Airlines companion tickets.

In this paper, the author briefly discusses the history of travel companion tickets offered by the American Airlines company.

Companion certificates have in the past been provided to American Airlines customers who reached Lifetime AAdvantage Executive Platinum. This top-tier status had the baseline of 100000 elite-qualifying miles or 120 EQS, coupled with $15000 of annual spending within a calendar year. It was the most elevated published elite status level that American Airlines offered and the apex of what any loyal customer of American Airlines could achieve.

The individuals who attained the lifetime executive platinum status were rewarded with four systemwide upgrades for paid travel and four companion certificates per year. These certificates could also be used to upgrade to business class for a companion on an award flight within the 48 contiguous United States. The tickets included the relevant taxes and charges, but the accompanying passenger did not pay the basic fare.

The changes in 2016 also eliminated what people called companion tickets for good.

In 2016, American Airlines revealed that it would make some significant reforms to its AAdvantage program. Another significant alteration was about the reduction in companion tickets for members placed under the Executive Platinum category. Speaking to the media, American Airlines explained that this decision was taken to address the challenge of accessing award seats under the previous arrangement.

Since then, there has been no Lifetime hierarchical title next to the status; the current highest elite status is just the Executive Platinum one. This capability applies to top-tier status and does not include any benefits for a companion ticket.

These last rounds of Lifetime Executive Platinum companion certificates were released in early 2016 at the time of the change. Before that date, there were certificates in existence, and these only expired on January 31, 2017. It was in their last update in mid-February 2017 that American Airlines discontinued the issuing of any type of companion ticket on award flights.

Options That are Available for Traveling with a Companion on American Airlines Today

As for the Lifetime Executive Platinum companion certificates, yes, they do not exist anymore, but there are a few things that American Airlines has to offer to its customers who need to bring a companion on flights. Here are some of the following ways that can enable a traveler to take someone along on American Airlines itineraries to date.

1. Use the accrued miles to book two award seats. It is also convenient for frequent travelers who have enough AAdvantage miles—just make two award tickets for the same flight. It will vary by location, but generally, it is between 30,000 and 60,000 miles roundtrip for one ticket in the United States and Canada. Availability can be a problem, but if one makes prior arrangements for it, then it is possible to do this.

2. Sometimes, a credit card company comes with an offer of a companion certificate. Some or all the co-branded American Airlines credit cards include an annual companion certificate valid for travel on American Airlines-operated flights. The specifics vary depending on the credit card, but in general, it lets you invite a guest for a fare of just taxes and fees from $5.60 one way. Pay particular attention to the terms and conditions because some cards do not allow Hawaii and other award flights in the companion certificates.

3. Use AAdvantage miles to book a flight on British Airlines for a companion. Some of the past awards, such as companion certificates, are no longer available, but using AAdvantage miles, travelers can book award flights on British Airways, which is a one-world alliance airline. However, the company retains a companion voucher for customers who use their British Airways Visa card once a year and spend $300.00. If managed correctly and with an award booking through American Airlines, this can result in a buy one, get one kind of situation.

4. Upgrade certificates to confirm companionship into the first class. Each year, 4 Systemwide Upgrade certificates are awarded to the Executive Platinum members to enable an upgrade of an existing paid ticket on American Airlines from the main cabin to the first class. For instance, if you are accompanying another person, you can use one of these certificates to also check your companion into first class with you on the same flight. It is not a companion ticket that applies a lower fare, and it enables the two of you to travel in the same premium cabin.

   Regarding the future possibility of American Airlines companion tickets, the following may be considered:

   That being said, will American Airlines loyalists who are furious about Lifetime Executive Platinum companion tickets ever be able to see them return in some manner? They will probably introduce something entirely different from what was previously offered since the current structure of the new Executive Platinum program has been in existence for over six years now. As far as the future goes though, airlines are continually tinkering with frequent flyer programs, and it's not out of the question for there to be future reciprocal benefits for big spenders down the line. The only hope is probably if American Airlines decides to introduce new elite tiers above the current rank of Executive Platinum. To the best of my knowledge, the airline has not made any such intentions at the moment, but those who are regular travelers with American Airlines can always keep their fingers crossed for future enhancements.

   In conclusion, we can state that now American Airlines does not provide special companion tickets as they used to for lifetime EEPlatinum. Yet, similar options are still available for flyers to take a companion with them on the flight for almost no added cost, like using miles, upgrade certificates, or co-branded credit card benefits. Loyal customers could also expect to have their companion fares become free or pay less if American Airlines rolls out future modifications to its AAdvantage program and elite status tiers.