The US Airways Companion Ticket is a great perk of the US Airways Premier World MasterCard issued by Barclays. Cardholders get the companion certificate after every card anniversary as an incentive to keep the account open. This perk will be discontinued in 2015 due to the carriers merger with American Airlines, but the merged airline is expected to offer a similar benefit when that happens.The companion ticket is valid for economy-class travel within the contiguous U.S. and Canada within 12 months of issue. What makes the US Airways Companion Ticket unique is that its valid for two companions, rather than just one.
In order to use it, a cardholder needs to purchase a round-trip ticket 14 days in advance for at least $250 with the US Airways Premier card. The two companions can then get their tickets for just $99 each, excluding taxes and fees. This can offer tremendous value for family travel when award availability is low and the cost of two or more tickets is high.
Have Your Flight Number Handy
To redeem the companion ticket, you’ll need to call the US Airways customer service number printed on the voucher. It helps, of course, to have your preferred flight number on hand to speed up the booking process. The agent will ask for the number printed on the companion pass and apply it towards the additional travelers.
You will need to book all tickets together and charge them to your US Airways Premier Rewards MasterCard. The added bonus of doing this is that you’ll earn two miles per dollar on your travels. After the booking has been made, you must mail in the actual Companion Ticket voucher in order for your booking to be valid. Keep a copy of the mailed voucher and request a tracking number when you post it in case it doesn’t get delivered.
While there are no fare bucket restrictions on companion ticket redemptions, there is a long list of blackout dates that vary, depending on the year of travel:
2014
- November 30
- December 1, 19-20, 26-28
2015
- January 3-4
- February 13
- March 15, 20, 22, 26-27, 29
- April 2-3, 6, 12
- May 21-22
- June 25-26
- July 5-6
- October 18
- November 20, 29-30
- December 18-19, 26-27
There are also additional blackout dates for flying into and out of certain cities in 2015:
- Travel from Dallas: January 15
- Travel to Phoenix: January 29-30
- Travel from Phoenix: February 2-3
- Travel to New Orleans: February 13
- Travel from New Orleans: February 18
- Travel from Indianapolis: April 7
- Travel to Louisville: April 30, May 1
- Travel from Louisville: May 3
Unfortunately, your companions wont earn miles on their travel, but that’s to be expected on such heavily discounted fares. With the companion ticket being discontinued next year when the Dividend Miles program merges with American AAdvantage, there’s still time to get the US Airways Premier World MasterCard and enjoy this perk.
Current cardholders should receive an invitation to switch to a rebranded version of the Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite MasterCard. This card will have a $195 annual fee and include an annual $99 Companion Ticket good for two companions.
Barclays will not be accepting new applications for the Aviator Silver card, so the only way to ensure you get it is if you pick up the US Airways card now and wait for your invitation to to get the new card.