Delta does not allow you to transfer a Companion Certificate to someone else
A Delta Companion Certificate is tied to the person who earned it and cannot be given to a family member, friend, or colleague. The certificate is non-transferable under Delta's program rules, which means you must be the one to use it when you book a companion ticket.
The certificate itself stays in your SkyMiles account and is linked to your membership number. When you book a flight using the certificate, Delta requires you to present identification matching the name on your SkyMiles account at check-in. This verification step prevents the certificate from being used by anyone other than the account holder.
If you have a Companion Certificate you cannot use before it expires, your options are limited to using it yourself or letting it expire. There is no process to reassign it, sell it, or gift it to another person.
Key Takeaways
- Delta Companion Certificates cannot be transferred to another person under any circumstances.
- The certificate must be used by the SkyMiles account holder whose name appears on the certificate.
- Delta requires photo identification at check-in that matches the account holder's name.
- If you cannot use your certificate before the expiration date, you cannot pass it to someone else.
- You can use your certificate to book a companion ticket for any other person, but you must be the one purchasing and holding the certificate.
How to use your Companion Certificate for someone else
While you cannot transfer ownership of the certificate, you can use it to purchase a discounted ticket for another person. The process works like this: you log into your SkyMiles account, search for a flight, and when you find one you want, you select the option to use your Companion Certificate. The companion ticket will be for the other person's name, but the certificate itself remains in your account.
When you book, you will enter the companion's name, date of birth, and contact information. The companion ticket is then issued in that person's name. At the airport, the companion will check in using their own identification, and you will check in using yours. Both of you will need valid ID to board the flight.
The certificate discount applies to the companion's ticket only. You will pay the full base fare for your own ticket, plus taxes and fees. The companion's ticket is typically discounted significantly, though the exact savings depend on the route and how Delta prices that flight on the day you book.
When your Companion Certificate expires
Companion Certificates earned through Delta credit cards typically expire one year from the date they were issued. The expiration date appears in your SkyMiles account under the certificate details. You can check this date by logging in and looking at your account benefits or rewards section.
Once a certificate expires, it cannot be used, extended, or transferred. Delta does not offer extensions or exceptions to expiration dates. If you have not used the certificate by the expiration date, you will lose the benefit.
Some Companion Certificates come with specific terms that may differ slightly depending on which Delta credit card issued them. Check your card's benefits guide or your SkyMiles account to confirm the exact expiration date for your certificate.
What happens if you try to transfer the certificate
If you attempt to log into your SkyMiles account from a different person's device or try to use the certificate under a different name, Delta's system will reject the booking. The certificate is locked to your SkyMiles account number and cannot be accessed or used by anyone else, even if they have your account password.
Attempting to circumvent this restriction by sharing account credentials or misrepresenting who the account holder is violates Delta's terms of service. Delta can cancel the certificate, suspend your SkyMiles account, or take other action if they detect unauthorized use.
Alternatives if you cannot use your certificate
If you have a Companion Certificate you will not use before it expires, you have limited options. You cannot sell it, give it away, or donate it. The certificate has no cash value and cannot be converted to miles or other benefits.
Your best option is to use the certificate yourself before the expiration date. You can book a flight for any destination Delta serves and bring any companion you choose. The companion does not have to be a family member or someone you know well—you can use it for a friend, colleague, or anyone else.
If travel is not possible before the certificate expires, you will lose the benefit. Some people choose to book a flight they might not otherwise take just to use the certificate rather than let it go unused, since the certificate has no other value.
How Companion Certificates are earned
Most Companion Certificates come from Delta credit cards. When you open certain Delta American Express cards, you receive a Companion Certificate as a welcome benefit. Some cards issue a new certificate each year you hold the card, while others issue it only once.
The specific terms depend on which Delta card you have. Premium cards like the Delta Reserve American Express typically come with an annual Companion Certificate, while other cards may offer one as a one-time benefit. Check your card's benefits guide to see whether your card includes a certificate and when it renews.
You cannot earn a Companion Certificate through SkyMiles points, elite status, or other Delta loyalty program activities. The certificate is exclusively a credit card benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give my Companion Certificate to my spouse or family member?
No. Delta does not allow Companion Certificates to be transferred to anyone, including spouses or family members. The certificate is locked to your SkyMiles account and can only be used by you. You can use the certificate to book a discounted ticket for a family member, but you must be the one holding the certificate and purchasing the ticket.
What if I have multiple Companion Certificates?
If you hold multiple Delta credit cards or have earned certificates from different sources, each certificate appears separately in your SkyMiles account. You can use them one at a time on different bookings, but you still cannot transfer any of them to another person. Each certificate must be used by you.
Can I sell my Companion Certificate?
No. Selling, trading, or exchanging a Companion Certificate violates Delta's terms of service. The certificate has no cash value and cannot be converted to money or other benefits. Delta's system prevents the certificate from being used by anyone other than the account holder.
What if my Companion Certificate expires before I can use it?
Once a certificate expires, it cannot be used, extended, or recovered. Delta does not make exceptions to expiration dates or offer refunds. If you will not use the certificate before it expires, you will lose the benefit entirely.
Do I have to travel with my companion to use the certificate?
No. You can book a Companion Certificate ticket for someone else without traveling on the same flight. The companion can travel alone while you travel on a different flight, or you can travel on different dates entirely. The only requirement is that you are the one who books and holds the certificate.