How To Get and Use Alaska Airlines’ Famous Companion Fare

What’s better than flying somewhere for a fun vacation? Bringing a companion along for $99!!

A companion fare ticket is a perk offered by select airlines based on either points accrual or credit card spend, and in this post, we’ll go over what you need to know to earn and use Alaska Airlines’ Famous Companion Fare.

What Is Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare?

Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare is a perk offered on Alaska Airlines co-branded credit cards that allows you to purchase a second ticket on a round-trip flight in the Main Cabin (economy class) for $99 plus tax.

Cost of Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare

While you might hear this companion fare called a $99 companion fare, in reality, it costs a bit more than $99. You’ll pay $99 plus taxes (starting at $22), so you’ll spend at least $121 on Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare. Even though it’s not completely free, it’s still a great deal, especially when used on an expensive itinerary.

Hot Tip: Check out our detailed guides for similar passes from other airlines, including the Southwest Companion Pass, American Airlines Companion Certificate, Delta Companion Certificate, and British Airways Travel Together Ticket.

How To Get Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare

Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare is a perk offered on the following Alaska Airlines credit cards:

• Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® Credit Card
• Alaska Airlines Visa^® Business Credit Card

In addition, there are 2 cards available only to Canadian residents that come with a companion fare perk:

• Alaska Airlines World Elite^® Mastercard^®
• Alaska Airlines^® Platinum Plus^® Mastercard^®

Unlike the American Airlines Companion Certificate, there isn’t any spending requirement to earn Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare each year. It comes simply as a benefit of holding an Alaska Airlines credit card. However, for the first year, you will have to meet the minimum spending required for the sign-on bonus in order to earn the companion ticket. After that, you’ll earn a companion fare each year on your account anniversary.

Hot Tip: In addition to coming with a companion fare perk, holding an Alaska Airlines credit card will help you earn lots of Mileage Plan miles. You can then use those miles for flights on Alaska Airlines and its partners.

How To Use Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare

Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare is a great perk that can save you hundreds of dollars without too much hassle. But there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes time to use this benefit:

• This companion ticket can only be used on Alaska Airlines flights purchased through alaskaair.com.
• The companion fare is valid on round-trip flights in economy class when an original flight is purchased using a published rate.
• Both the paid flight and companion flight must be purchased at the same time.
• You can’t use miles to purchase a flight that will be attached to a companion fare, however, both the original ticket and companion ticket are eligible to earn miles.
• The companion fare can’t be combined with any other discounts.
• Both the original fare and companion fare must be purchased using your Alaska Airlines credit card.

The Mileage Plan member who owns the companion fare code doesn’t actually have to fly. That member can allow 2 other people to fly using the companion fare, but the original ticket and companion ticket must be purchased with the same credit card used to earn the companion fare.

Hot Tip: Alaska Airlines has lots of different routes that you may want to use your companion fare on, including many ski resort destinations (ski for free with your ticket!) and sunny destinations like Miami.

Upgrades

While Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare is only good for round-trip economy flights, both the original ticket and companion ticket can be upgraded. However, upgrade space must be available for both travelers. and with the exception of companion upgrades allowed for MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K elite members, both tickets must be upgraded using the same method.

When Will I Receive My Companion Fare?

Once you hit the minimum spending requirements on your new Alaska Airlines credit card, your companion fare will post to your Mileage Plan account within 6 to 8 weeks. Then, you’ll get a new companion fare ticket each year after that within 2 billing cycles of your cardmember anniversary date.

Once your companion fare hits your account, you’ll be able to access it online by going to My Account > Discount and companion fare codes.

Expiration Dates

There will be an expiration date on your companion fare code. You need to book your travel by this date, however, the actual travel can occur up to 12 months after the date the ticket is issued (which can be after the original companion fare code expires).

Final Thoughts

We love easy ways to save money on flights here at Upgraded Points, and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare is a great way to do just that. This companion ticket comes as a benefit on Alaska Airlines’ co-branded credit cards and allows you to book a ticket for a companion to fly with you for only $99 plus tax. While it’s only good for economy flights, you can still get tons of value from this benefit.

The information regarding the Alaska Airlines World Elite^® Mastercard^® and Alaska Airlines^® Platinum Plus^® Mastercard^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The information regarding the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding Alaska Airlines Visa^® Business Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.