Taxes/Fees: The fare for Companion tickets requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Taxes and fees depend on the itinerary.

In 2026, a "companion ticket" is rarely 100% free; it is more accurately described as a low-cost or "base-fare-only" ticket. While the second passenger may not have to pay the primary ticket price, the cardholder or traveler is almost always responsible for government-imposed taxes and airport fees, which start at approximately $5.60 for domestic U.S. flights but can exceed $300 for international routes. For example, the Southwest Companion Pass allows a designated friend to fly for "free" (plus taxes) an unlimited number of times, while credit card versions like those from Delta, Alaska, or Air Canada often require a co-pay (e.g., $99, $299, or $599 depending on the destination) in addition to the taxes. Furthermore, these tickets often have "fare class" restrictions, meaning they can only be used if specific, higher-priced seats are still available. Thus, while it provides massive savings—often 50% or more—it is rarely a "zero-dollar" transaction, especially in 2026 when international airport departure taxes have reached all-time highs.