A companion voucher is a valuable credit card perk that can save you hundreds of dollars on a flight. The best credit card companion vouchers offer a full companion fare, but some offer discounted fares or airline points instead.
Here, we review the top cards that offer companion vouchers and explain their requirements and limitations. This knowledge can help you decide whether a certain travel card is right for you.
Key Takeaways
- A credit card companion voucher is a perk that lets you bring a second traveller along on a flight for free or at a reduced fare.
- WestJet, Air Canada, and Porter all have co-branded credit cards that offer companion vouchers.
- Be prepared to pay premium credit card fees to get the best companion vouchers.
- You’ll have to meet the spending requirements every year to continue receiving the annual companion voucher.
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What are companion vouchers?
A companion voucher is a credit card perk that lets you bring someone on your flight for free or at a significantly reduced fare.
You may also see companion vouchers called a "companion pass" or "companion fare." These are all the same thing.
How companion vouchers work
Depending on the airline and its rewards program, a companion voucher might be completely free for your guest, or you might only get a discount. Generally, you're still expected to pay for things like taxes, fees, and other travel-related charges.
To use a companion voucher, you usually have to book your trip using the credit card that offers the voucher, or log in to the loyalty program that awarded it. Sometimes, you have to book the flight directly through the program's own travel platform.
Remember to use your companion voucher before it expires. Most vouchers expire at year-end, but Porter vouchers expire 12 months after they're issued. Unused vouchers don't roll over.
Best credit cards that offer companion vouchers
Here are the top travel credit cards that provide companion vouchers:
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Rewards | Welcome Bonus | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $599 | * 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel, transit, and dining * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 100,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | $599 | * 3 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 2 points per $1 spent on dining and food delivery purchases in Canada * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 85,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard | $199 | * 3 points per $1 spent on Porter * 2 points per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, restaurants, and hotels * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases |  $200 GC Boost + Up to 70,000 bonus points, companion pass, first year free (terms) | Learn more |
| WestJet RBC Mastercard | $39 | * 1.5 WestJet points per $1 spent on WestJet or WestJet Vacations purchases * 1.5 WestJet points per $1 spent on restaurants, food delivery, digital subscriptions, streaming services, and digital games * 1 WestJet point per $1 spent on all other everyday purchases | 15,000 WestJet points (terms) | Learn more |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | $139 | * 2 WestJet points per $1 spent on WestJet or WestJet Vacations purchases * 2 WestJet points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, EV charging, public transit, and rideshare * 1.5 WestJet points per $1 spent on all other everyday purchases | $125 GC Boost + 70,000 WestJet points (terms) | Learn more |
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
Voucher requirements: Must spend at least $25,000
There's a lot to like about the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, especially if you're a loyal Air Canada traveller. Not only do you get the usual Aeroplan perks when flying with the airline, but you'll also get a discounted economy companion fare when you spend at least $25,000 a year. These discounted base rates depend on where you're flying, ranging from $99 for flights within Canada and the U.S. to $599 for flights to Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Pros:
- 6 free visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program
- Visa Infinite Privilege benefits at Vancouver, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, and Montreal-Trudeau airports
- Access to the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
- 24/7 concierge service
Cons:
- High income requirements
- Steep annual fee
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
Voucher requirements: Must spend at least $25,000
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card offers the same companion voucher as the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card when you spend $25,000 in a year. You can use it for economy flights anywhere in the world, with your companion paying only a reduced base fare. You won't get the same Visa Infinite Privilege benefits, but this card is easier to qualify for and offers a better Aeroplan earn rate.
Pros:
- Unlimited access to Maple Leaf lounges when flying with Air Canada
- Up to 3 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on purchases
- Free checked bags when flying with Air Canada
- Preferred pricing on Aeroplan flight awards
Cons:
- Only high-value rewards are redeemable for Air Canada flights
- Steep annual fee
BMO VIPorter World Elite®* Mastercard®*
×1 Award winner 
GC: $150 + $50
1x Award winner Voucher requirements: Must spend at least $50,000
The BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard has a higher spending requirement to earn the voucher, but its annual fee is only about ⅓ of what you'll pay for the premium cards. Instead of just a discounted companion booking, BMO pays the full base fare for any Porter flight worldwide. This even applies to upgraded fares. You only pay taxes, fees, and surcharges for your companion.
Pros:
- Automatic VIPorter Venture Avid Traveller status
- Up to 3 points per $1 spent on purchases
- World Elite Mastercard benefits
- Includes extensive travel insurance
Cons:
- Must spend at least $50K to earn a voucher
- Points can only be used for flights on Porter, Air Transat, and Alaska Airlines
WestJet RBC Mastercard
Voucher requirements: Must spend at least $2,500
Spend at least $2,500 a year on the WestJet RBC Mastercard, and you'll earn a discounted companion voucher – that's an especially solid perk for a card with such a low annual fee ($39). The catch is that the voucher is limited to flights within Canada and the continental U.S., and it only applies to economy or premium fares. You can also choose a 25% flight discount for one traveller or 5,000 WestJet points instead.
Pros:
- Alternative benefits to a discounted companion voucher
- Save 3 cents per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada
- 1.5 points per $1 spent on WestJet purchases
Cons:
- Rewards are limited to WestJet
- Companion voucher is expensive to use at $199
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
GC: $100 + $25
Voucher requirements: Must spend at least $5,000
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard offers a companion voucher as a welcome bonus, currently worth up to $700. In your first year, just make 1 purchase with the card, and you'll qualify for the voucher. After that, you can earn an annual companion voucher by charging at least $5,000 to your card. You can also cash the voucher in for 2 airport lounge passes, a 30% flight discount for 1 traveller, or a $200 credit toward a WestJet Vacations package or Sunwing Vacations package.
Pros:
- Save 3 cents per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada
- 12 types of travel insurance
- Free first checked bags on WestJet flights
- 2 points per $1 spent on WestJet purchases
Cons:
- Rewards limited to WestJet
- High income requirements of $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
How the WestJet companion voucher works
WestJet gives you 2 opportunities to earn companion vouchers, depending on which credit card you have:
- WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard: Use the card to make 1 purchase of any amount, and you'll qualify for the voucher. Every subsequent year, you can earn a voucher by charging at least $5,000 to your card.
- WestJet RBC Mastercard: Again, simply use the card to make 1 purchase of any amount, and you'll qualify for the voucher. After that, charge at least $2,500 a year to earn a companion voucher.
With the World Elite Mastercard, you'll pay $119 to $219 plus taxes and fees for flights within Canada and the U.S. For other WestJet destinations, fares range from $399 to $499, plus taxes and fees.
If you have the basic Mastercard, you can only fly within Canada and the continental U.S. To use the voucher, book an economy or premium fare, and you'll get a discounted companion fare for $199 or $299, based on fare class.
How the Air Canada companion voucher works
Because several issuers offer Aeroplan credit cards, Air Canada has standardized its Annual Worldwide Companion Pass.
First off, you'll need an eligible premium Aeroplan credit card, and you'll have to charge at least $25,000 to it in a calendar year to earn the pass. Then, the primary cardholder can book an economy fare and enjoy a discounted companion rate at a fixed price:
- Canada and the continental U.S.: $99
- Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean: $299
- South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa: $499
- Asia, Australia, and New Zealand: $599
You'll just have to pay the taxes and surcharges on the discounted companion fare.
How the Porter companion voucher works
There are a few ways to earn a Porter companion voucher, depending on which VIPorter credit card you have:
- BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard: Spend at least $50,000 in a calendar year and you'll get a free companion fare. BMO covers the base fare for any Porter-operated flight, so you'll only pay the taxes and fees.
- BMO VIPorter Mastercard: Spend at least $25,000 in a calendar year, and you'll get a voucher for 35% off base fare for a companion flight.
FAQ
What does a companion voucher do?
A companion voucher gives a qualifying credit cardholder a free or discounted airline ticket. Some also offer alternatives, like airline points or credit toward a vacation package. Only premium credit cards offer companion vouchers, and there's almost always a spending requirement before the cardholder fully qualifies.
What is a WestJet companion voucher?
The WestJet companion voucher provides a discounted companion fare, as long as you meet the card's annual spending requirements – $5,000 for the World Elite card and $2,500 for the base Mastercard. The precise discount you get depends on the airline fare you book and your destination.
How much does a companion voucher cost?
The cost of a companion voucher depends on your specific credit card and the co-branded airline. Some cover your companion's fare, leaving you to pay only taxes and fees, while others offer discounted fares based on the fare class or distance you fly.
Where can my companion voucher take me?
Usually, a companion voucher allows you to fly anywhere in the world so long as you're booking with a partnering airline or travel rewards platform – but there are exceptions. Always read the fine print for your credit card's companion voucher.
What are the best Canadian credit cards with companion vouchers?
If you're looking for a credit card that comes with a companion voucher, these are some of the top options to consider: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard, WestJet RBC Mastercard, and WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard.
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