Outstanding – Alaska Airlines Companion Fare Can Now Redeem Virgin American Flights

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card is one of my favorite travel credit cards. It was one of the first travel cards I owned. I’ve referred to it as a “No Brainer”, and its Companion Fare feature lets you redeem an additional ticket for ~ $120.00 once a year. It is one of the easiest, no blackout date, and few stipulations benefits that is a pleasure to use. Over the years we’ve saved thousands of dollars on air travel for our family and friends, and between Susan and I we currently hold 3 cards (there is a business version). The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card has always been a valuable travel credit card, and now it’s even more valuable.

You can now redeem Virgin America flights with your companion fare. This is a big deal. The benefit seems to have come on line in the past couple days. This change and introduction has been suspiciously quiet. Alaska Airlines hasn’t announced the new benefit; and it’s not being discussed. Alaska Airlines had announced that they were working on getting Virgin America flights included into companion fares by the end of March. It is apparent that they have now done it.

I stumbled into the feature by using a certificate that was going to expire in the next couple days. I had been holding off, hoping the integration of Virgin America flights would occur.

Combined route map Alaska Airlines and Virgin America

In the past this benefit was limited to Alaska Airlines flights only. No other airline codeshares, no American flights, no Delta flights, no foreign partners; Alaska Airlines metal only. Even with this limitation it was still a valuable benefit. If there are two seats left on a flight you can use your certificate. The “discount code” expiries one year after the issue date, but can be redeemed for flights one year forward. This is much better than other card companion fares that require the flight be completed by issue date.

Using the certificate is easy and last night I redeemed my soon to expire discount code on a college tour trip for our youngest daughter.

From your account page select Valid for current companion fare codes

Select the “SHOP” button to find flights

Fill in flight details

Virgin America flights are now shown as an option

Even multicity options are allowed

The companion fare saved $432 on this Virgin America flight

After final purchase of the companion fare, Alaska Airlines generates two confirmation codes. One for Alaska Airlines, and one for Virgin America. I was able to use the Virgin America code to log into the Virgin America site and purchase preferred seats for the two ticketed passengers. The seat options that you can purchase are limited to preferred seats. Main Cabin Select and First Class seats are not available for up-purchasing.

Main Cabin Preferred Seating shown as a $40 purchase option

In Summary:

The ability to purchase Virgin America flights with your Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card’s companion fare is a big deal. Virgin America offers a wonderful coach product and the addition of their route network makes the already valuable benefit of a companion fare even more so. Alaska has been merging cross benefits with Virgin America at a rapid pace, and with this added feature the combined benefits of both programs are very attractive. Again, this card is a no-brainer.