Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
How to use a Delta SkyMiles companion certificate
A Delta SkyMiles companion fare is listed in Delta's SkyMiles program rules among the unpublished fares on which a Mileage Upgrade Award cannot be used. [3] Delta's companion-certificate page returned a 404 - Page Not Found error when it was checked on 18 October 2026. [1]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Delta's program rules list companion fares among the unpublished fares that a Mileage Upgrade Award cannot be used on. [3]
- The same rules state that Award Tickets may be issued only by Delta and only on Delta ticket stock, with taxes and fees payable by the passenger when the ticket is booked. [3]
- SkyMiles miles do not expire under the Mileage Expiration policy, but miles are forfeited when Delta closes an account. [3] [4]
What do the program rules say about companion fares?
Delta's SkyMiles program rules state that a Mileage Upgrade Award is valid only with a published qualifying fare, and list the following unpublished fares as not eligible for a Mileage Upgrade Award: Delta bulk fares, companion fares, group fares, certain pricing programs, Round the World fares and International Bereavement Fares. [3]
The rules also set out where a Mileage Upgrade Award can be used at all: only for upgraded one-way travel in certain markets and carriers other than Delta-operated and Delta-marketed flights, and only where the member holds enough miles to upgrade each passenger in the reservation for the eligible one-way flight segment. [3]
Medallion Complimentary Upgrades on Award Tickets and Pay with Miles tickets are available to Medallion Members and one travelling companion who is a SkyMiles Member travelling in the same reservation. [3]
How are SkyMiles Award Tickets issued?
Award Tickets may be issued only by Delta and only on Delta ticket stock, and all other air travel must be ticketed separately from Award Travel. [3] Award Travel is limited to two connections per origin and destination for domestic travel and three connections for international travel. [3]
To safeguard against credit card fraud, some reservations require the member to come into a Delta ticket office to make payment, or to show a Delta representative a credit card and ID before the ticket is issued. [3] A member who is redeeming miles but not travelling can show the card and ID at any airport ticket counter or ticket office before check-in. [3]
What taxes and fees do Award Tickets carry?
Taxes and fees for Award Travel are the passenger's responsibility and must be paid at the time the ticket is booked. [3] Delta's program rules give these reference points for Award Travel. [3]
| Charge | What the rules state |
|---|---|
| September 11th Security Fee | $5.60 per one-way trip [3] |
| U.S. government taxes and fees, domestic award itinerary | At least $11.20 [3] |
| U.S. User Fees and Security Fee, international award itinerary | Up to $40.00, depending on itinerary [3] |
| Foreign user, inspection, security or similar charges | Up to $400, depending on itinerary [3] |
| Foreign government taxes, fees and carrier-imposed fees, international itineraries | May include up to $600 [3] |
| Partner-imposed award surcharges | Charged where an airline partner applies one, collected at booking [3] |
The passenger may also pay extra where an award is redeemed at an airport ticket location or Delta city ticket office, for replacement of a lost or stolen ticket, or where a ticket is issued by Delta Reservation Sales. [3]
What are the Award Ticket name, change and advance-purchase rules?
Names. Name changes are not permitted once an Award Ticket has been issued. [3] A member's name in the SkyMiles account must match exactly the name on the government-issued photo ID used for travel. [3]
Changes and cancellations. For travel originating in the United States and Canada to anywhere in the world, including flights operated by joint-venture and codeshare partners, members may change the origin, destination, routing, date and time, or cancel, without a redeposit or change fee, except on Delta Basic experience fares, where a change fee applies if changes are permitted. [3] For some travel originating outside the United States and Canada, restrictions vary and tickets may be non-cancelable or changeable for a fee. [3]
Advance purchase. Award Tickets purchased for travel within or originating in China, Russia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brazil and any country in Africa require a 72-hour advance purchase. [3] Travel in those markets inside 72 hours must be bought at the airport, including reissues, and Delta states there are no exceptions. [3]
Children. Award price terms and conditions for children and infants are the same as for adults. [3]
Exceptions and limits
- No mile upgrades on companion fares. Mileage Upgrade Awards cannot be used on unpublished fares, and Delta lists companion fares in that group. [3] Separately, the rules allow Global or Regional Upgrade Certificates with Award Travel tickets, Miles + Cash tickets on Delta-operated flights and Pay with Miles tickets, except Delta Basic experiences. [3]
- Seat supply. Award seats may be limited and are not available on all Delta Connection or airline-partner-operated flights. [3]
- Prohibited destinations. Award Tickets will not be issued for travel that U.S. carriers are prohibited from providing or facilitating under U.S. sanctions regulations or other applicable law. [3]
- Account closure. Miles are forfeited when a SkyMiles account is closed, and Delta lists fraudulent activity, a member's own request, death, repeated unanswered communication, duplicate accounts, residence where membership is prohibited, and rule violations among the grounds for closure. [3]
- Which version applies. Unless otherwise stated, the rules in effect at the time of travel or of the request for a benefit govern that transaction. [3]
Frequently asked questions
Can an Award Ticket be issued in someone else's name?
Yes — miles may be redeemed for Award Tickets in the name of passengers other than the SkyMiles Member. [3] The ticket is not transferable once issued, and name changes are not permitted after issue. [3]
Does the passenger pay taxes and fees on an Award Ticket?
Taxes and fees for Award Travel are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the ticket is booked. [3] Domestic award itineraries require at least $11.20 in U.S. government taxes and fees, and international itineraries may include up to $600 in foreign government taxes, fees and carrier-imposed fees, depending on the itinerary. [3]
Can a companion fare be upgraded with miles?
A Mileage Upgrade Award cannot be used on unpublished fares, and Delta lists companion fares in that group; a Mileage Upgrade Award is valid only with a published qualifying fare. [3]
How far ahead must an Award Ticket be bought?
Award Tickets purchased for travel within or originating in China, Russia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brazil and any country in Africa require a 72-hour advance purchase, and Delta states there are no exceptions. [3] Members wanting travel in those markets inside 72 hours must go to the airport to purchase the ticket, including ticket reissues. [3]
Do SkyMiles miles expire?
Under the SkyMiles Mileage Expiration policy, miles do not expire. [3] Delta's programme overview states the same. [4] Miles are lost if the account is closed, for example for fraudulent activity or a breach of the program rules. [3]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. Companion certificates issued by other airlines' programmes, and card products outside Delta SkyMiles, are not covered here.
- Delta companion certificate page (returned 404 - Page Not Found), checked 18 October 2026
- Delta SkyMiles program rules, checked 18 October 2026
- Delta SkyMiles loyalty program overview, checked 18 October 2026