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Use Your Barclaycard US Airways Companion Certificate Before It Disappears

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    I’ve written that the Barclaycard US Airways card will no longer be offered after the American Airlines and US Airways merger is complete.  And folks who currently have the Barclaycard US Airways card will be switched over to a new Barclaycard American Airlines card.

    One of the perks of the Barclaycard US Airways card that will be discontinued when the card changes to the Barclaycard American Airlines card is the Companion Certificate.  It can be used to bring up to 2 companions with you on a US Airways operated flight for $99 plus taxes and fees when you purchase a round-trip ticket for at least $250.  You can use it to fly coach within the US (not including Hawaii and Alaska) and Canada.

    But if you get the card, how long is the certificate valid?

    The Companion Certificate With the Barclaycard US Airways Card Will Disappear When the Card Changes

    What’s the Companion Certificate?

    Link:   Barclaycard US Airways MasterCard

    When you 1st get the Barclaycard US Airways MasterCard, you’ll receive a Companion Certificate after your 1st purchase (and payment of the annual fee).  The certificate entitles you to bring 2 guests with you for $99 each (plus taxes and fees) when you buy a round-trip ticket for at least $250.

    The companion tickets are valid for round-trip, coach class tickets only on US Airways operated flights (not partners) within the continental US and Canada.  This can be a very good value, because often round-trip tickets, especially between the US and Canada, can cost in excess of $600!

    The Base Fare on an Austin to Toronto Round-Trip Ticket in November Is Over $600!

    If you’re traveling with 2 friends anyway, the Companion Certificate can save you a lot of money, especially on expensive routes.

    How Long Will the Companion Certificate Be Valid?

    The terms and conditions on the Barclaycard US Airways card say:

    The Companion Certificate is valid for travel within 12 months and tickets must be purchased within 9 months from the issue date.  Other companion certificates restrictions apply including advance purchase requirements and black-out dates and will be provided on the actual certificate.

    Barclaycard has NOT specified the exact date when their US Airways card will be switched over to the American Airlines card (and no longer offer a Companion Certificate).  However, a letter sent to current Barclaycard US Airways cardholders states:

    If you have not already received your companion certificate, on your account anniversary in 2014 you will receive your final companion certificate for up to 2 guests to travel with you on a US Airways flight for $99 each (plus taxes and fees).  You must purchase your tickets within 9 months of issuance and travel within 12 months.

    Emily recently applied for the Barclaycard US Airways card, and just got her Companion Certificate in the mail.

    It says that tickets must be purchased by February 28, 2015, and travel completed by May 31, 2015.

    Emily’s Companion Certificate Must Be Used Within 9 Months of Issue, and Travel Completed Within 12 Months

    Companion tickets do earn US Airways miles (because they’re treated like paid tickets).

    So if you apply for the card, and get the Companion Certificate, you should have 9 months from the date of issue to book the tickets, and 12 months to actually travel with your companions.

    Note:   There are lots of travel black-out dates on the certificate, which also vary depending on city.  Most of the black-out dates are for peak travel times like Thanksgiving and other holidays.  And you must book your tickets by calling US Airways reservations at 800-428-4322.

    Bottom Line

    The Companion Certificate that comes with the Barclaycard US Airways card will no longer be issued once the card is converted to an American Airlines card (likely at the beginning of 2015).

    Any Companion Certificates issued before then should be useable, as long as you book tickets within 9 months of the date of issue, and travel within 12 months of the date of issue.

    You’ll have to call US Airways reservations to use the Companion Certificate.  But if you’re planning on buying a paid ticket anyway (and traveling with companions) you could save a fair bit of money!

    Emily and I plan to use her Companion Certificate for family travel in the US before it expires.  Where will you go with yours?

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)