Key Takeaways
• Alaska Airlines Companion Fare allows cardholders to pay $99 plus taxes/fees, earning miles on both primary and companion tickets.
• Currently restricted to Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights, the perk excludes Hawaiian Airlines despite the 2023 merger.
• Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines loyalty program integration by 2026 may unify benefits like mileage redemption and potentially expand Companion Fare access.
The Alaska Airlines Companion Fare has established itself as a go-to perk for cardholders who enjoy substantial savings on travel adventures. By paying just $99 plus taxes and fees—starting from $23—cardholders can bring a guest along on their trip for a fraction of the usual ticket price. This benefit consistently ranks as a favorite among customers due to its simplicity and value for both leisurely getaways and important family travels. Integrating the Companion Fare with other benefits offered by Alaska Airlines is straightforward, making it one of the most user-friendly travel perks in the industry.
The recent merger between Alaska Airlines 🇺🇸and Hawaiian Airlines 🇺🇸 marked a significant shift in the U.S. aviation landscape. With both airlines keeping their unique brand identities intact but fostering deeper operational ties, the collaboration has unlocked new opportunities for travelers. Still, questions about whether this partnership will extend the availability of popular perks, like the Companion Fare, to Hawaiian Airlines flights remain a focal point for many customers. Let’s explore the details surrounding the Companion Fare and its interaction with this merger to better understand how travelers can continue to benefit.
What Makes the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare Special?
The Alaska Airlines Companion Fare is a yearly benefit exclusive to the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card and Alaska Airlines Visa® Business credit card. Its straightforward structure makes it stand out: eligible cardholders receive a Companion Fare code annually, which they can redeem during bookings for themselves and a guest. Both tickets—even the deeply discounted companion ticket—earn mileage credits, a rare feature compared to similar offers from other airlines.
The perk is primarily valid for economy class tickets, but travelers with elite status or mileage credits can upgrade to first class, adding even more flexibility to the benefit. The Companion Fare offers unmatched value, whether the trip is for relaxation, a family event, or a trip of necessity. Alaska Airlines frequently promotes it as an ideal way to make family vacations or couple trips more accessible.
While currently restricted to flights exclusively operated by Alaska Airlines and its regional partner Horizon Air, the flexibility and value of this benefit have fueled customer questions: could new integration with Hawaiian Airlines open the door for its use across both airlines?
The Merger: Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Collaboration
Alaska Airlines announced its merger with Hawaiian Airlines in 2023, finalizing the deal in September 2024. This merger brought together Alaska Airlines’ expansive U.S. and international routes with Hawaiian Airlines’ dominance in connecting the mainland U.S. to Hawaii. However, the airlines have maintained individual brand identities, meaning Hawaiian Airlines remains a distinct entity within the partnership.
Speaking of benefits, the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare currently cannot be used on Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights. The perk remains exclusive to flights run by Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air. Hawaiian Airlines has its own set of additional benefits tied to the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®. However, there’s evidence that the partnership is closing some gaps between their offerings. For instance, starting this spring, Hawaiian Airlines credit cardholders will receive two free checked bags while flying on Alaska Airlines under specific conditions, reflecting closer ties.
For travelers wanting to directly leverage perks like the Companion Fare on flights bound for Hawaii, patience will be key. Although new wrinkles in the partnership could gradually align these perks, such cross-platform compatibility is not yet available.
Insider Tips to Make the Most of Your Companion Fare
The Alaska Airlines Companion Fare offers unbeatable value for regular cardholders. To ensure that you’re maximizing its potential, keep these tips in mind:
- Spending Threshold for Eligibility: For newly issued Alaska Airlines Visa credit cards, customers must meet a $6,000 spend requirement in their card membership year to qualify for the annual Companion Fare. This serves as both a travel benefit and an incentive for regular card use.
Mileage Flexibility: A key advantage of the Companion Fare is that both the primary ticket and companion ticket earn miles. Frequent flyers are thus not penalized for redeeming discounted companion tickets on their journeys.
Change Options: While flexibility is a consistent highlight, remember that all rescheduling or cancellations for reservations involving the Companion Fare are subject to Alaska Airlines’ policies, so familiarize yourself with these when booking.
Making Redemption Simple: Companion Fare codes are delivered via email annually. Simply copy and paste the code directly into the travel booking system. This easy redemption ensures that even busy, last-minute planners can benefit without hassle.
Additional Alaska Airlines Credit Card Perks
Travelers who use Alaska Airlines credit cards gain several perks beyond the Companion Fare, many of which offset the card’s annual fees. Here’s a closer look at what cardholders can expect:
- Check-in Perks: With just one credit card purchase directly from Alaska Airlines, holders enjoy a free checked bag benefit. This extends to up to six people on the same reservation, drastically reducing the cost for families or larger groups.
Rewards Per Mile: The credit cards offer competitive miles-earning structures. Three miles per dollar are earned on all Alaska Airlines purchases, while two miles per dollar reward travelers for EV charging and utility bills. These rewards extend traditional travel-focused miles earning to include everyday purchases.
Discounts During Travel: Whether it’s onboard snacks or entertainment, Alaska Airlines cardholders get 20% back on inflight purchases. Deals like these make long journeys feel more manageable.
Lounge Accessibility: Purchasing an Alaska Lounge+ Membership comes with a discount of $100 for cardholders, offering a more comfortable travel experience.
Moving Forward: What’s Ahead in This Partnership
Amid the Alaska Airlines-Hawaiian Airlines merger, broader loyalty program integrations are set to roll out over the coming years. A combined rewards structure will create new opportunities for customers invested in either Alaska Mileage Plan or HawaiianMiles. Already, travelers are starting to see new possibilities:
- Earning Across Carriers: Miles earned through either airline’s program can currently be redeemed for flights with either carrier. Plans for loyalty unification will make this process simpler, presenting customers with more ways to book.
Status Privileges: Frequent flyers holding elite ranks in either loyalty program can now take advantage of status matching. This feature helps bridge gaps between elite membership tiers of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines travelers.
Future Growth in Benefits: By 2026, Hawaiian Airlines is expected to join the Oneworld airline alliance, a move that could pave the way for the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare to extend more broadly to Hawaiian Airlines routes. Regardless, the gradual coordination of offerings like upgraded baggage benefits and shared mileage accrual indicates meaningful steps in creating greater overlap.
Until these programs fully unify, travelers are encouraged to monitor updates through credible resources like VisaVerge.com to stay informed about additional opportunities for savings and rewards when flying.
Wrapping It All Up
The Alaska Airlines Companion Fare stands out as one of the best travel perks for cardholders, delivering consistently high savings and unmatched flexibility. Although this benefit is restricted only to flights operated by Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, the merger with Hawaiian Airlines opens up exciting questions about future access.
For budget-conscious travelers, the Alaska Airlines Visa credit cards offer value that can stretch across domestic and international routes. While customers need to meet minimum spending and other conditions, the variety of extra features—miles earning, free checked bags, and inflight discounts—make these cards exceptionally worthwhile.
The Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines partnership signals a new chapter in U.S.-based aviation. While early stages focus on aligning frequent flyer programs and operational policies, the merger also hints at expanding access to perks like the Companion Fare. Whether planning long-awaited island vacations or quick domestic getaways, travelers can find exciting opportunities as this partnership evolves.
Learn Today
Companion Fare → A yearly travel benefit allowing Alaska Airlines credit cardholders to book a discounted ticket for a guest.
Mileage Credits → Rewards points earned based on the distance flown, often redeemable for future travel, upgrades, or other benefits.
Elite Status → A high-tier membership in a frequent flyer program offering exclusive benefits, like priority boarding or free upgrades.
Loyalty Program → A rewards initiative where customers earn points or perks for frequent use of a company’s services, like flights.
Status Matching → A feature allowing loyalty program members to match their membership level with equivalent status in another program.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Alaska Airlines Companion Fare is a budget traveler’s dream. For just $99 plus taxes, cardholders bring a guest along while both earn miles. Despite its current exclusivity to Alaska Airlines flights, the recent merger with Hawaiian Airlines hints at future integrations. Savings, flexibility, and potential? This perk keeps winning!
— By VisaVerge.com
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