What is the best Delta credit card for companion tickets?

The best Delta credit card for companion tickets is the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, which gives you one Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year. Or you can opt for the Delta Reserve Credit Card, which gives you a choice of one Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin companion certificate each year. The biggest difference between these two cards is the cost of their annual fee: Platinum SkyMiles charges $195, while Delta Reserve charges $450. Taxes and fees up to $75 will apply for companion certificate redemption on both cards.

Both cards’ terms state most eligible flights require 14 days’ advance purchase and a 3-night minimum stay. Companion certificates for the Platinum card are limited to certain flight classes (L, U, T, X, V), which may not be offered on all flights. First Class and Delta Comfort+ companion tickets for Delta Reserve are limited to classes A, I and W. There are 27 flight classes total. So be sure to confirm your companion certificate can be used on a particular flight before getting too deep into the booking process.

Since the primary and companion tickets must be booked on the same flight, the companion will get their first checked bag free as part of the cardholder’s benefits. Also, Delta offers a free loyalty program called SkyMiles. When you sign up, you start earning miles and different statuses. For both cards, SkyMiles members with Medallion status and their companion are eligible for complimentary upgrades to First Class or Delta Comfort+, so long as the companion is a SkyMiles member.

Here are the best Delta credit cards for companion tickets:

• Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card – 1 Domestic round-trip companion ticket in Main Cabin each year upon card renewal. Annual fee: $195
• Delta Reserve Credit Card – 1 Domestic round-trip companion ticket in First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin each year upon card renewal. Annual fee: $450

On the surface, a free round-trip domestic flight for a companion seems simple. But upon closer inspection, limitations on which flights the companion certificates are eligible for come to light. If the flight class restrictions aren’t a problem for you, these cards may be worth looking into. You will be paying a large annual fee for either card, either way.