Using Delta Buddy Pass in 2025: What You Need to Know!

Delta Buddy Pass has been an excellent perk for Delta workers and their families, letting them fly on standby at a lower price. It’s made lots of trips and family visits possible. But things are changing. This airline has said it’s ending the Buddy Pass program in 2025. This means you must use your passes soon if you have them. The change has created a lot of questions in your head.

This article explains everything you need to know about the Buddy Pass changes. You will learn to talk about when it’s happening, who can use them, what the rules are, and how to get the most out of your Buddy Passes while you still can. We’ll also look at other flight perks Delta has, so you can still get discounts even when the Buddy Pass program gets done.

What Is A Delta Buddy Pass?

This airline gives its workers a special perk called Buddy Passes. These passes let workers share their flight discounts with friends and family, allowing them to fly on Delta’s planes for much less. This pass is like a key to cheaper standby flights.

The 2025 Phase-Out: What’s Happening?

Delta has announced that it will end the Buddy Pass program in 2025. This means that sometime this year, workers will stop giving out and using Buddy Passes for standby flights. This is a big change for worker travel perks and affects the airline employees and their friends and family who use the passes.

• Delta will completely end the Buddy Pass program. This isn’t just a pause or fewer passes. Once the program ends, it won’t work for any trips.
• The exact reason for ending this is not yet available. Some think it’s about saving money, simplifying employee benefits, or reducing the number of people flying.
• The workers won’t be able to give out new Buddy Passes sometime before the final 2025 deadline. They will announce that date.
• If you already have a Buddy Pass, you can still use it before the deadline as long as someone gave it to you before they stopped giving it out. 
• The airline will announce the exact dates. Workers need to be aware of these dates so they aren’t surprised.  
• Don’t expect them to make the deadline later. You must plan to use your pass before they expire.
• While the Buddy Pass will be completely phased out by 2026, Delta also enhances other employee travel benefits. 

What This Means for You?

Delta employees must know when they stop working if they have this pass. Use your passes before they expire. Start planning your trips today! If you often fly using a Delta Buddy Pass, talk to the staff member who gave you the pass. Ask them how many passes they have left and when they stop working.

Eligibility and How to Get a Buddy Pass?

Knowing about the eligibility and process of getting your pass is crucial. Have a look at the section below:

Core Eligibility

Check out the eligibility:

• Delta Employees- They get Buddy Passes as a work perk. How many passes they get depends on how long they’ve worked there.
• Delta Retirees- Retired Delta employees may also retain Buddy Pass benefits, but the Delta Buddy Pass policy changes.
• Designated Companions- Delta employees and retirees permit people to fly with them on discounted standby tickets. These people, called “buddies,” get cheaper flights but might not get a seat. This airline sets rules about who can be a “buddy.”

How to Get a Buddy Pass?

You can’t buy a Delta Buddy Pass; a Delta employee or retiree gives you access. 

• They manage the pass and use the airline’s system to list you for standby travel. 
• So, to use this pass, you need an employee friend of this airline who will share their benefit with you.

How Does The Delta Buddy Pass Works?

It gives Buddy Passes to its employees, not to SkyMiles members. Employees let their friends fly on standby, meaning friends waited at the gate for empty seats. The employee decides who could use the pass. You couldn’t buy this pass; you need a Delta employee to give you one. If the employee listed you, the gate agent will ask for the record locator.

What SkyMiles Does Do:?

SkyMiles lets you earn points for flying. You can use those points to:

• Get upgrades.
• Book vacations.
• Reserve hotels.
• Share miles.
• Pay for bags.

Confusion with Companion Certificates

Delta Express credit cards give you “Companion Certificates.” These certificates are not the same as the old Buddy Pass. They let you bring someone on a flight when you buy a regular ticket.

Benefits & Limitations On the Current Delta Buddy Pass

Have a look at the advantages and limitations that the current pass provides:

Current Benefits (Until Phase-Out)

Check out the benefits below:

• If there’s an empty seat, people using the Buddy Pass can fly for much less, usually just paying the taxes.
• You can go to places you might not usually afford and take trips on short notice.
• The employees of this airline can share their travel benefits with their friends and family.

Current Limitations (And Why the Phase-Out Makes Sense)

Standby trips mean you might not get a seat, so you must be flexible and risk delays or missing flights. 

• Delta puts employees and their families first, so “buddy” travelers often get left behind. 
• If the plane is full, you won’t fly. They also have Delta Airlines buddy pass rules about how you dress and act, and sometimes, you have to block certain trips. 
• You can’t plan anything because you never know if you’ll get on the plane. And most importantly, Delta will stop this program in 2026, so you can’t rely on it for future travel.

Beyond the Buddy Pass: Improved Delta Travel Benefits

Even though Delta is ending the Buddy Pass, they’re changing their employee travel perks, and employees will get some good things. Here’s what they’ll gain:

Better “Fly Confirmed for Less” (FCFL) Program

Delta will let their employees and their chosen travel partners buy guaranteed flight seats at lower prices. This new system replaces the old risky standby method, where you weren’t sure you’d get a seat. Now, people can plan their trips without worrying about getting bumped from a flight, which makes travel much more manageable.

Increased Standby Priority for Primary Companions:

It will give the primary companions of its employees higher priority when flying on standby. This means these companions get a better chance of securing a seat on a flight. This airline changed the system, which helped those close to employees travel more easily.

Addition of a Secondary Companion

The airline will let their crew choose a second travel buddy to bring more people. It gives employees more ways to share their travel benefits.

Increased S2 Allotment

It will increase the number of days employees can use the S2 priority, giving them more opportunities to secure seats with higher boarding priority throughout the year.

Tips for Using the Delta Airlines Buddy Pass

Before you know about those tips, remember it’s going away in 2026. These tips are only good until then, so don’t count on this for future trips.

Travel During Off-Peak Times

Fly on weekdays or when fewer people travel to get a seat easier. Stay away from holidays and busy travel times.

• You Need To Stay Flexible- Flying standby means you must be ready for anything. Planes might get delayed or canceled, or you might not get a seat at all. Always have a second plan ready, just in case.
• Check Flight Availability- Before you go to the airport, check if the plane has empty seats. You can use the airline’s tools or ask the person who gave you the pass. This will help you know if you’ll probably get a seat.
• Pack Light- Pack only a carry-on bag. This will save you money on bag fees and make boarding faster. If you pack light, you can easily change your plans at the last minute.
• Dress Properly- Wear nice clothes when you fly with a Buddy Pass. Don’t wear super casual or revealing outfits. Dress like you bought a regular ticket.
• Be Polite and Respectful- When using a buddy pass, consider yourself a guest. Be nice to Delta workers and other people on the plane. Stay happy, even if your trip doesn’t go as planned.

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