Unlock Dream Getaways: Your Ultimate Guide to Using the BA American Express Companion Voucher!
Hey there, future globetrotters! Have you recently earned a British Airways American Express Companion Voucher and are now wondering how to turn that precious perk into an incredible travel experience? You've come to the right place! This isn't just another dry guide; we're going to break down every step, give you insider tips, and ensure you make the most of this fantastic benefit. Ready to dive in and discover how to essentially get two flights for the Avios price of one? Let's go!
Understanding Your British Airways American Express Companion Voucher
Before we jump into booking, it's crucial to understand what kind of voucher you have, as this dictates its flexibility and value. There are two main types, linked to the two British Airways American Express credit cards:
The British Airways American Express® Credit Card (Fee-Free): Vouchers earned with this card are typically valid for 12 months and can only be used for Reward Flights in Economy class (Euro Traveller or World Traveller). While still valuable for shorter trips or when budget is paramount, its scope is more limited.
The British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card (Annual Fee): This is often considered the "gold standard" for the Companion Voucher. Vouchers from this card are valid for a generous 24 months and, critically, can be used for Reward Flights in any cabin class – Economy, Premium Economy, Business (Club World), or First. This offers significantly more flexibility and the potential for huge savings on premium cabin travel.
Key Point: Regardless of which card you have, you'll still need to pay the taxes, fees, and carrier charges for both passengers. The voucher essentially makes the second Avios fare free.
Step 1: Earning Your Companion Voucher (If You Haven't Already!)
So, you're excited about the voucher, but maybe you're just starting your journey to earning one? Let's quickly cover what it takes.
To earn a Companion Voucher, you need to hit a specific spending target on your eligible British Airways American Express card within your membership year. As of recent updates:
For both the British Airways American Express Credit Card and the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card, the spending threshold is currently £15,000 in a membership year.
Once you hit this target, your voucher will automatically be deposited into your British Airways Executive Club account. It typically appears within a few days of hitting the spend. Keep an eye on your account online – you'll usually see a notification.
Step 2: Accessing Your Voucher and Understanding its Validity
Now that you've earned it, it's time to see it!
Log in to your British Airways Executive Club account: Head to ba.com and sign in with your Executive Club details.
Navigate to "My Executive Club" or "My Account": Look for a section that displays your Avios balance and any active vouchers.
Locate your Companion Voucher: You should see your voucher listed, clearly stating its expiry date and type (e.g., "BA American Express Premium Plus Companion Voucher").
Important Note on Expiry: The voucher's validity refers to the date by which you must book your outbound flight. The return flight can be after the voucher's expiry. This gives you a good window to plan. For Premium Plus vouchers, you have a solid 24 months from issuance, while the fee-free card offers 12 months. Always prioritize using your oldest voucher first!
Step 3: Finding Reward Flight Availability – The "Art" of Redemption
This is often cited as the trickiest part, but with a bit of strategy, it's entirely manageable. British Airways releases a limited number of "Reward Seats" on each flight for Avios redemptions. These are the seats you'll need to find to use your Companion Voucher.
Sub-heading 3.1: The 355-Day Rule (and Beyond!)
Initial Release: British Airways releases Reward Seats 355 days in advance of the flight departure. This is when the most availability is typically seen, especially for popular routes and premium cabins (Club World and First). If you have specific dates and destinations in mind, being ready to book exactly 355 days out (often at midnight GMT/BST) can significantly increase your chances.
Ad-hoc Releases: Don't despair if you miss the 355-day mark! BA often releases additional reward seats closer to departure, particularly:
Around T-90 days (90 days before departure)
Around T-21 days (21 days before departure)
Last-minute: Within 7 days of departure, you might find some last-minute availability as cash bookings don't materialize. This is great for flexible travelers.
Sub-heading 3.2: Searching for Reward Flights Online
Go to
ba.com/bookwithavios Log in to your Executive Club account.
Select "Book a flight with Avios".
Enter your departure and arrival airports, preferred dates, and most importantly, select "2 passengers" (or "1 passenger" if you're using it for 50% solo travel) and ensure your Companion Voucher is selected at the top of the search box. There will be a checkbox or dropdown menu to apply the voucher. This is crucial, as the voucher can unlock additional availability not visible to standard Avios searches.
Choose your desired cabin class:
For Premium Plus vouchers: You can search for Economy, Premium Economy, Business, or First.
For Fee-Free vouchers: You can only search for Economy (Euro Traveller or World Traveller).
Be Flexible: If your initial search yields no results, don't give up!
Try different dates: Use the "flexible dates" calendar view to see availability across an entire month.
Consider different airports: Sometimes flying into a nearby airport or out of a different city can open up options (e.g., instead of London Heathrow, try London Gatwick, or even a European hub if you're willing to take a separate feeder flight).
Search segment by segment: If you're looking for a multi-leg journey, sometimes searching for each segment individually can help you find availability, then you can call BA to stitch them together (see Step 4).
Sub-heading 3.3: Leveraging Tools and Notifications
Reward Flight Finder (RFF): Websites like Reward Flight Finder (rewardflightfinder.com) are invaluable tools. They allow you to set up alerts for specific routes and dates, notifying you when reward seats become available. This saves you from constantly checking manually.
Expert Flyer: For more advanced users, Expert Flyer allows you to search for specific award availability on flights, though it requires a paid subscription.
Step 4: Making Your Booking – Online vs. Phone
Once you've found your coveted Reward Seats, it's time to book!
Sub-heading 4.1: Booking Online (The Easiest Way)
For straightforward return journeys with readily available reward seats, you can complete the booking directly on the British Airways website.
After selecting your flights, the system will prompt you to apply your Companion Voucher. The Avios cost for the second passenger will be zeroed out (or 50% off for solo travel), and you'll proceed to pay the taxes, fees, and carrier charges for both passengers using an American Express card (it doesn't have to be the BA Amex card, any Amex will do for payment).
Sub-heading 4.2: Booking via Phone (For Complex Itineraries)
There are several scenarios where calling British Airways Executive Club is necessary:
Open Jaw Bookings: If you want to fly into one city and depart from another (e.g., London to New York, then Boston to London). The online system can't handle these with a Companion Voucher.
Mixed Cabin Classes: If you want to fly out in one cabin (e.g., Business) and return in another (e.g., First).
Adding an Infant: If you are traveling with an infant under 2, you'll need to call to add them to your booking (they usually cost 10% of the Avios and taxes of an adult ticket).
Combining Multiple Vouchers (in specific scenarios): While generally one voucher per booking is common for two people, it's possible to combine two vouchers of the same type from one person to book for a group of four. This usually requires a phone call.
Stitching together one-way bookings: If you've found availability on separate one-way flights and need them combined.
Tip for Phone Bookings: Have your desired flight numbers, dates, and times ready before you call. British Airways call wait times can be long, so being prepared will make the process smoother. Be patient and polite with the agent!
Step 5: Paying Taxes, Fees, and Surcharges
As mentioned, the Companion Voucher waives the Avios cost for the second passenger, but you are still responsible for the cash component, which includes:
Airport Passenger Duty (APD): A UK government tax for departures from UK airports.
Fuel Surcharges: British Airways' own charges.
Airport Charges: Fees levied by the departure and arrival airports.
These can be substantial, especially for long-haul premium cabin flights. Consider:
Starting your journey outside the UK: If your voucher allows (vouchers earned after September 2021 from either card type), starting your journey from a non-UK airport (e.g., Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam) can significantly reduce the cash amount due to lower or no APD.
Reward Flight Saver: For short-haul flights within Europe, British Airways offers "Reward Flight Saver" options, which have a fixed, lower cash co-payment, often representing excellent value.
Step 6: Managing Your Booking and Potential Changes
Once booked, you'll receive a confirmation email with your booking reference. You can then manage your booking via ba.com.
Changes and Cancellations: You can change or cancel flights booked with a Companion Voucher.
If you cancel, the voucher is typically returned to your account with its original expiry date.
Changes usually incur a fee, plus any difference in Avios or taxes for the new flights.
You cannot change the name of the second traveller after booking without canceling the entire reservation.
Maximizing the Value of Your Companion Voucher
Aim for Premium Cabins (if you have the Premium Plus voucher): The greatest value from the Companion Voucher often comes from using it on Business (Club World) or First Class flights, where the cash cost of a second ticket would be astronomical.
Long-Haul Routes: Generally, the longer the flight, the more Avios it costs, and thus, the more valuable your Companion Voucher becomes by essentially halving that large Avios outlay for two people.
Off-Peak Dates: If your dates are flexible, aim for off-peak travel periods as these require fewer Avios than peak dates.
Be Patient and Persistent: Finding suitable reward seats can take time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't find something immediately. Keep checking, set alerts, and be open to different destinations.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about using your BA American Express Companion Voucher:
How to check the expiry date of my Companion Voucher?
You can check the expiry date by logging into your British Airways Executive Club account on ba.com and navigating to the "My Executive Club" or "My Account" section where your vouchers are displayed.
How to use a Companion Voucher for solo travel?
If you're traveling solo, you can use a Companion Voucher to receive a 50% discount on the Avios required for your own Reward Flight. Simply select 1 passenger when searching for flights and ensure the voucher is applied.
How to find Companion Voucher availability for specific dates?
The best way is to use the "Book a flight with Avios" tool on ba.com and use the "flexible dates" calendar view to see availability around your desired travel period. Third-party tools like Reward Flight Finder can also send you alerts.
How to combine two Companion Vouchers on one booking?
You can combine two Companion Vouchers of the same type earned by one person to book for a group of four. This typically requires calling British Airways Executive Club, as the online system may not handle it.
How to use the Companion Voucher for open-jaw flights?
You must call British Airways Executive Club to book an open-jaw itinerary (flying into one city and out of another) using your Companion Voucher, as this functionality is not available online.
How to add an infant to a Companion Voucher booking?
To add an infant (under 2 years old) to a booking made with a Companion Voucher, you will need to call British Airways Executive Club. There will be a charge of 10% of the Avios and taxes for the infant's ticket.
How to change or cancel a flight booked with a Companion Voucher?
You can change or cancel your booking through the "Manage My Booking" section on ba.com or by calling British Airways. If canceled, the voucher is usually returned with its original expiry date, and fees may apply for changes.
How to reduce the cash cost (taxes and fees) when using a Companion Voucher?
For vouchers earned after September 2021, consider starting your journey from a non-UK airport (e.g., in Europe) to avoid or reduce UK Air Passenger Duty (APD). For short-haul flights, look for "Reward Flight Saver" options.
How to ensure I get the best value from my Premium Plus Companion Voucher?
Focus on redeeming your voucher for long-haul flights in premium cabins (Business Class/Club World or First Class), as these offer the most significant savings compared to cash fares. Be flexible with your travel dates and destinations to find optimal availability.
How to transfer a Companion Voucher to someone else?
A Companion Voucher is generally not transferable to another person to use independently. The voucher holder must be one of the passengers on the booking. However, you can add anyone to your "Friends and Family" list in your Executive Club account to be your companion.
