[DISCLOSURE: Cards from our partners are mentioned below.]
Traveling with a companion can be a lot more fun than traveling alone. Whether your favorite travel buddy is your partner, best friend, neighbor, or life coach, you know you’ll have a great trip when they’re along for the ride.
Some travel credit cards offer companion tickets, making it easy to share your adventures with another.
Here are five credit cards that offer companion tickets for your travel buddy.
1. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
Rewards: Two points per dollar spent on Southwest flights and with eligible hotel and car rental partners; one point per dollar spent on other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 bonus points if you spend $2,000 in the first three months.
Annual Fee: $69
APR: Variable 16.99% to 23.99% APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Why We Picked It: Frequent fliers and big spenders can earn a year’s worth of companion flights.
For Traveling with a Companion: Earning 110,000 qualifying points or taking 100 qualifying one-way flights in a single calendar year will earn you Companion Pass for the remainder of that year and the entire following calendar year. With Companion Pass, you can choose one person to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) any time you book a Southwest flight.
Drawbacks: Only frequent Southwest fliers should apply.Â
2. British Airways Visa Signature Card
Rewards: 3 points per dollar spent on British Airways purchases; one point per dollar spent on other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: 50,000 bonus points if you spend $3,000 in the first three months, plus an additional 25,000 if you spend $10,000 in the first year or an additional 50,000 if you spend $20,000 in the first year.
Annual Fee: $95
APR: Variable 16.99% to 23.99% APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Why We Picked It: Big spenders can earn a companion ticket on British Airways flights.
For Traveling with a Companion: Every year you spend $30,000 or more on your card, British Airways will award you a Travel Together Ticket. When you book a reward flight on a British Airways flight leaving from and returning to the US, the Travel Together Ticket lets you bring along a companion.
Drawbacks: To earn the Travel Together Ticket, you’ll have to meet a hefty spending requirement.
3. AeroMexico Visa Card
Rewards: Two miles per dollar spent on gas, groceries, and Aeromexico ticket purchases; and one mile per dollar spent on other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: 15,000 bonus miles upon making your first purchase.
Annual Fee: $0 the first year, then $45.
APR: Variable 13.99% to 23.99% APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Why We Picked It: You don’t have to wait long to earn a companion ticket with this card.
For Traveling with a Companion: Upon approval, your free Aeromexico Companion Certificate will be mailed to you with your credit card. This ticket is good for a companion to join you on a round-trip flight to Mexico. You can also buy three full-fare tickets and receive the fourth free (excluding applicable taxes and fees) if all tickets are purchased at the same time and are for the same flight.
Drawbacks: If your destinations of choice don’t include Mexico, keep looking.
4. AmTrak Guest Rewards World Mastercard
Rewards: Three points per dollar spent with Amtrak; two points per dollar spent on qualifying travel purchases; and one point per dollar spent on other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: 20,000 bonus points if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days.
Annual Fee: $79
APR: Variable 13.99% to 23.99% APR for purchases and balance transfers.
Why We Picked It: If you prefer the train, this card will let you ride the rails with a companion.
For Traveling with a Companion: Amtrak will award you a complimentary companion pass as soon as your account is opened and each year upon renewal.
Drawbacks: This card is only appropriate for frequent Amtrak riders.
Choosing a Card for Traveling with Companions
If you have a preferred travel provider, it’s worth checking to see if they offer a credit card with companion passes. If they do, check the approximate value of a companion ticket for any upcoming trips you’re planning.
General travel rewards cards without companion passes may offer just as much value. With general travel cards, you can redeem points or miles to book travel for yourself and your companion at a wider range of companies. These cards are usually a better option if you aren’t fiercely loyal to one travel provider.
If your travel partner is a trusted family member, you may want to make this decision together, as they could become an authorized user and help you earn travel rewards even faster.
What Credit Is Required for a Companion Travel Credit Card?
Cards with strong travel rewards programs usually require good to excellent credit. Before you apply, you should check the credit requirements and compare them to your credit score. A hard credit inquiry resulting from an application can lower your credit score a few points, so you should be confident in your ability to get approved. You can check two of your credit reports for free at Credit.com.
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Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees, and terms for credit cards, loans, and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees, and terms for credit cards, loans, and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees, and terms with credit card issuers, banks, or other financial institutions directly.