Travel is always better when you can sit back, relax, and let someone else handle the logistics. I should know—I’ve been a passenger princess for years. Being or bringing a plus one means splitting the Uber fare, having a built-in bag watcher, and someone to vent to when your “charming” boutique hotel turns out to be a glorified broom closet. But beyond the obvious social perks, traveling as a duo unlocks real financial benefits—because airlines, hotels, and credit cards love rewarding those who bring a guest.
It’s a little like the movie The Lobster, where Colin Farrell’s character is thrown into a matchmaking retreat in a world that doesn’t favor solo life. One of his first nights, he’s forced to navigate with one hand cuffed—a not-so-subtle metaphor for how much easier life is when there are two of you. And while no one’s turning single travelers into animals, nor are we saying that solo travel doesn’t have its own stellar perks, those who embrace the passenger princess (or prince) lifestyle get treated like VIPs—with lounge access, free flights, and hotel upgrades to match.
Airlines, credit cards, hotels, cruises and even railway companies offer perks for travelers in pairs—think buddy passes, bonus hotel nights, and two-for-one cruise fares that make bringing a plus one a no-brainer. Whether you’re in the driver’s seat or just along for the ride, here’s how to master the passenger princess travel life.
Airline companion fares
The best airline perks aren’t just about legroom or lounge access—they’re about bringing someone along for the ride without doubling the cost. Some airlines let you score steeply discounted flights or even unlimited free companion tickets through credit card rewards and loyalty programs.
For frequent travelers, Southwest’s Companion Pass is the ultimate perk—earn it, and a designated travel buddy flies free (minus taxes and fees) on every flight for up to two years. The catch? You’ll need 100 flights or 135,000 qualifying points in a year. Unless you’re an avid business traveler, 50 round trips a year is a tall order, but when you enroll in the free Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards program, you can rack up points through flights, hotel stays, car rentals and even on everyday purchases through their shopping portal, which includes over 1,100 stores, from fashion and beauty brands like Sephora and Nike, to home and electronics like Apple or Dyson. Southwest also lets you swap your companion three times a year—ideal for those who rotate travel partners more often than their air filter.
For those who don’t have the ability to rack up flights, credit card companion fares offer an easy way to save. Delta’s Companion Certificate, available through the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum and American Express travel cards, grants a round-trip domestic or international ticket for a plus one, covering First Class, Comfort+, or Main Cabin, depending on your card tier. Via its Visa Signature Card, Alaska Airlines’ Famous Companion Fare lets West Coast travelers book a second ticket once per year for as low as $99 plus taxes and fees. Even American Airlines offers a companion certificate through its co-branded credit cards, but with steep spending requirements—$20,000 or $30,000 per year. Once earned, it secures a round-trip economy ticket for $99 plus taxes and fees within the contiguous U.S., as well as checked bags for you and up to four travelers on the same reservation. My suggestion? Save these $99 fares for travel during holidays and peak travel periods to really get a VIP steal.
Airport lounges
One of the best ways to embrace your passenger princess privileges? Kicking back with a glass of champagne in an airport lounge.
Airline lounges like the American Airlines Admirals Club, United Club, and Alaska Lounge allow one to two free guests, depending on your membership, while the Delta Sky Club grants two complimentary guest passes per year to AmEx Platinum and Delta Reserve cardholders, with a $50 fee per additional guest. For a more premium experience, American Airlines Flagship Lounges in Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas allow first and business-class passengers to bring one guest and enjoy James Beard–curated meals, premium wine, and craft cocktails.
In my professional plus one opinion, credit card lounges often offer the most exciting perks. It’s the only thing that can get my husband and me to the airport three hours before our flights. Centurion Lounges (accessible to American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders) and Chase Sapphire Lounges (free for Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders) offer seasonal food, cocktail and wine menus designed by locally loved chefs, restaurants, bars and coffee shops, as well as additional amenities like showers and wellness services like massages, facials, meditation pods, and even juice bars. Platinum cardholders will need to spend $75,000 annually to avoid the $50 per guest fee. However, Corporate Platinum and Centurion (otherwise known as “the black card”) holders can bring up to two guests free, no matter the circumstances. Chase Sapphire Lounges are free for Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders, who can also bring two complimentary guests per visit.
Another credit card perk that counts for two? Priority Pass access. Holding any of the aforementioned cards entitles you to a priority pass enrollment, which means you and a guest can access over 1,700 airport lounges around the world. As only about 40 airports in the U.S. are a part of the program, this really comes in handy for international travel. Traveling home from our honeymoon in Costa Rica’s Liberia airport, we topped off the trip with copious glasses of wine and delicious buffet fare when our plane home was delayed.
Train travel
While there isn’t a direct equivalent to an airline companion pass, Amtrak and select railways periodically offer buy-one-get-one-free deals or discount structures for groups traveling together. Amtrak’s loyalty program occasionally offers guest deals as part of promotions or elite status perks. For example, members who reach Select Plus or Select Executive status may receive companion fare discounts or one-time free companion tickets.
While this isn’t a traditional companion pass, Amtrak’s "Share Fares" offers a discount for groups traveling together. With this deal, you save progressively more with each additional traveler (up to six people), making it a good option for families or group trips. Occasionally, regional railways like MTA, Brightline (Florida), and Rocky Mountaineer (West Coast) offer companion fares or buy-one-get-one discounts.
Cruises
Sailing is always better with a plus one—especially when they can come along at a serious discount. Plenty of cruise lines offer companion fares and BOGO (buy one, get one) deals, making it easier to book a trip for two without breaking the bank.
Major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC and Virgin Voyages often run BOGO promotions with 60 to 80 percent off a second guest, sometimes even free at certain times of the year. Luxury and premium cruise lines have their own spin on the plus-one life. For the best shot at snagging one, book during wave season (January-March), check cruise sales often, and keep an eye on travel rewards programs. Because nothing says passenger princess energy like setting sail with a plus one—without paying full price.
Hotels
Hotels may not have an official companion pass, but if you know where to look, there are plenty of plus-one perks to unlock. Free nights, suite upgrades, lounge access, and even complimentary breakfasts and food and beverage credits for two? That’s passenger princess treatment at its finest.
Loyalty programs and premium travel credit cards make it easy to bring a plus one without extra costs. Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and World of Hyatt all offer free night certificates through credit card spend or elite status, covering standard rooms for two. Hyatt Globalists, Hilton Diamond, and Marriott Platinum members also get suite upgrades at check-in—because why settle for a standard room when you can have extra space? Even better, top-tier status often unlocks club lounge access and free breakfast for two—because nothing fuels a travel day like avoiding a $40-per-person hotel buffet.
If you're more about stacking deals, IHG’s 4th Night Free benefit (for select credit card holders) lets you pay for three nights and stay for four—essentially discounting a companion stay. Luxury travelers can cash in on Amex Platinum’s Fine Hotels & Resorts perks, including breakfast for two, late checkout, and room upgrades at high-end properties.
At the end of the day, traveling as a passenger princess (or prince) isn’t just about letting someone else handle the logistics—it’s about maximizing the perks that come with being a plus one. Whether it’s scoring a free flight, sipping cocktails in a lounge, upgrading to a suite, or cruising for half the price, airlines, hotels, and credit card programs make it easy (and often financially smarter) to travel as a duo. The trick? Leverage the right credit cards, loyalty programs, and seasonal deals to unlock all the plus-one benefits available. Because the best kind of trip? One where you get to kick back, relax, and enjoy the ride—without paying extra to bring your favorite travel buddy along.