Using your American Express Companion Voucher can unlock incredible travel opportunities, essentially letting you bring a friend or family member along for free (Avios-wise) or getting a significant discount if you're traveling solo. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from understanding your voucher to booking your dream trip.
Let's dive in and make that voucher work for you!
Understanding Your American Express Companion Voucher
Before you even think about booking, it's crucial to understand the specifics of your Companion Voucher, as there are a few variations. American Express Companion Vouchers are typically associated with British Airways American Express Credit Cards.
Types of Vouchers and Their Key Differences:
British Airways American Express Credit Card Companion Voucher (Standard Card):
Validity: Typically 12 months from the date of issue.
Cabin Class: Can only be used for Economy (World Traveller or Euro Traveller) reward flights.
Benefit: Allows you to book a second economy seat for a companion for no additional Avios, or a 50% discount on Avios if traveling solo in economy.
Earning: Historically earned by spending a certain amount (e.g., £12,000, now often £15,000) within your card membership year.
British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card Companion Voucher:
Validity: Generally 24 months from the date of issue. This gives you much more flexibility!
Cabin Class: Can be used for reward flights in any cabin, including Economy, Premium Economy, Business (Club World), and First Class.
Benefit: Allows you to book a second seat for a companion in the same cabin for no additional Avios, or a 50% discount on Avios if traveling solo in any cabin.
Earning: Typically earned by spending a certain amount (e.g., £15,000) within your card membership year. This card usually has an annual fee.
Important General Rules:
Avios Bookings Only: Companion Vouchers can only be used for Reward Flights booked with Avios points. They cannot be used for cash bookings or "part-pay with Avios" options where you combine cash and Avios.
Taxes, Fees, and Carrier Charges: While the voucher covers the Avios portion for your companion (or gives you a discount), you are still responsible for paying all applicable taxes, fees, and carrier charges for both passengers. These can sometimes be substantial, especially for long-haul premium cabin flights.
Airline Partners: Your British Airways American Express Companion Voucher can be used on flights operated by British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. It generally cannot be used on other Oneworld partners like Qatar Airways or Cathay Pacific.
Outbound Travel: The outbound leg of your journey must be completed before the voucher expires. However, your return journey can be after the voucher expiry date, as long as it's booked at the same time as the outbound.
Cardholder Must Travel: The main American Express cardholder who earned the voucher must be one of the travelers on the booking.
Cannot Change Passenger Names: Once booked, you typically cannot change the name of the second traveler. If you need to, you'll likely have to cancel and rebook, with no guarantee that reward seats will still be available.
Single Booking: The voucher must be applied at the time of booking, and the entire booking (outbound and return) for both passengers must be made in a single session.
No Avios or Tier Points Earned: Flights booked with a Companion Voucher do not earn additional Avios or Tier Points.
Step 1: Confirm Your Voucher and Availability
Hey there! Ready to turn that voucher into an adventure? The very first thing you need to do is confirm you actually have a valid Companion Voucher and understand its expiry date.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Voucher Status
Log In to Your British Airways Executive Club Account: Your Companion Voucher is linked to your British Airways Executive Club account, not directly to your American Express account.
Navigate to "My Executive Club": Once logged in, look for a section like "My Executive Club," "My Account," or "Vouchers." You should see your active Companion Voucher listed there, along with its expiry date.
Note Down Key Details: Make sure you know:
Voucher Expiry Date: This is crucial for planning.
Voucher Type: Is it from the standard card (Economy only, 12 months) or Premium Plus (any cabin, 24 months)?
Sub-heading: The Hunt for Reward Seats – Be Flexible!
This is often the trickiest part of using a Companion Voucher, especially for popular routes or premium cabins. Reward seat availability is limited, and it can be highly competitive.
Start Searching Early: Reward seats are typically released 355 days in advance. If you have a specific destination and date in mind, be prepared to book as soon as seats become available.
Be Flexible with Dates: If your dates are flexible, you'll have a much better chance of finding availability. Consider traveling during off-peak seasons, mid-week, or outside of school holidays.
Consider Multiple Destinations: Don't fixate on just one destination. If your first choice isn't available, have a few backups in mind.
Check for Enhanced Availability (Premium Plus Cardholders): If you have the Premium Plus voucher, you may have access to enhanced availability in Club World (Business Class). These seats won't show up unless you tick the "Use a Companion Voucher" box during your search.
Step 2: Planning Your Trip with the Voucher ️
Now that you know your voucher's details, it's time to plan where you're going!
Sub-heading: Choosing Your Destination and Cabin
Match Your Voucher Type to Your Desired Cabin:
If you have the Standard Card voucher, you're limited to Economy flights. Look for destinations where economy travel works for your budget and comfort.
If you have the Premium Plus voucher, the world is your oyster! You can aim for Business Class or First Class for a truly luxurious experience, or use it for Economy if you prefer.
Consider Avios Requirements: While the voucher saves you the Avios for one person, you still need enough Avios for your ticket. Check the Avios required for your desired route and cabin class on the British Airways website.
Estimate Taxes, Fees, and Carrier Charges: These can vary significantly by destination and cabin. Long-haul premium cabins, especially from London, often have high surcharges. Do a dummy booking (without the voucher initially) to get an idea of these costs. For example, a Club World return to New York could have taxes/fees around £350-£400 per person, even with the voucher.
Sub-heading: Single vs. Solo vs. Open Jaw Bookings
Companion Travel (Most Common Use): This is the classic "2-for-1" scenario. You and a companion travel together, and you pay Avios for one ticket, plus taxes/fees for both.
Solo Travel (50% Avios Discount): If you're traveling alone, your Companion Voucher (earned after September 1, 2021) can be used to get a 50% discount on the Avios required for your single ticket. You still pay full taxes/fees.
One-Way and Return: Your voucher can be used for either a one-way or a return journey. However, for a return journey, the outbound must depart before the voucher expiry.
Open-Jaw Bookings: It's often possible to book an "open-jaw" trip (e.g., fly into New York and out of Boston). This usually requires calling British Airways customer service to book, as it can be complex to do online with a voucher.
Mixed Cabins: If you have a Premium Plus voucher, you can book mixed-cabin travel (e.g., Business Class on the outbound, Premium Economy on the return).
Step 3: The Booking Process
Once you've got your plan, it's time to secure those flights!
Sub-heading: Online Booking (Recommended)
Log In to Your British Airways Executive Club Account: Ensure you're logged into the account that holds the Companion Voucher.
Go to "Book a flight with Avios": On the British Airways website, navigate to the "Executive Club" section and then select "Book a flight with Avios" or "Spend Avios."
Enter Your Search Criteria:
Select your departure and arrival airports.
Choose your desired dates.
Crucially, ensure you select "2 passengers" (for companion travel) or "1 passenger" (for solo travel with 50% Avios discount).
Tick the box that says "Use a Companion Voucher" or similar. This is vital for the system to display relevant availability and apply the voucher.
Search for Flights: The system will show you available reward flights. Pay close attention to the number of Avios required and the associated taxes, fees, and carrier charges.
Select Your Flights: Choose your outbound and return flights.
Review and Confirm: Double-check all flight details, dates, passenger names, and the breakdown of Avios and cash payments.
Payment: You will be prompted to pay the taxes, fees, and carrier charges. You must pay this using an American Express card, though it doesn't necessarily have to be the specific British Airways American Express card that earned the voucher.
Complete Booking: Once payment is confirmed, your booking will be finalized, and you'll receive your e-tickets.
Sub-heading: Booking by Phone (For Complex Itineraries)
While online booking is generally preferred for its simplicity and to avoid phone booking fees, you might need to call British Airways if:
You're trying to book an open-jaw itinerary.
You're having trouble finding availability online and want to check with an agent (though availability is generally the same).
You encounter any technical issues with the online booking system.
Be aware that British Airways may charge an offline service fee per passenger for bookings made over the phone.
Step 4: After Booking and Before You Fly ✈️
You've booked your flights, congratulations! But there are still a few things to keep in mind.
Sub-heading: Managing Your Booking
Review Your Confirmation: Keep your booking reference handy.
Seat Selection: Depending on your cabin class and Executive Club status, you may be able to select your seats in advance.
Special Assistance/Dietary Requirements: If you or your companion have any special needs, inform British Airways well in advance.
Check-in: Follow standard check-in procedures closer to your departure date.
Sub-heading: Changes and Cancellations
Changes:
Dates/Times: You can generally change the dates or times of your flights, subject to availability and potentially a change fee per passenger, plus any difference in Avios or taxes.
Names: As mentioned, changing a passenger's name (other than minor corrections) is typically not allowed. You'd likely have to cancel the original booking and rebook, risking loss of the reward seats and potentially your voucher or Avios if within a strict cancellation window.
Cancellations:
If you cancel a Companion Voucher booking, the voucher will usually be reinstated to your account. However, the original expiry date will remain the same. This is a critical point – if your voucher was expiring soon, cancelling might mean you lose the opportunity to use it.
Your Avios will also be returned to your account.
You may incur a cancellation fee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Earn an American Express Companion Voucher?
You typically earn an American Express Companion Voucher by spending a specific amount on your eligible British Airways American Express Credit Card within your card membership year. The exact spend target (e.g., £15,000) depends on the specific card product you hold.
How to Link My American Express Card to My British Airways Executive Club Account?
Your Companion Voucher is automatically linked to your British Airways Executive Club account once earned. Ensure the name and address on your Amex card match your Executive Club account details. If you have issues, contact American Express or British Airways customer service.
How to Find Reward Flight Availability for Companion Vouchers?
Log in to your British Airways Executive Club account, go to "Book a flight with Avios," and tick the "Use a Companion Voucher" box. This will display the specific reward seats available for voucher bookings. Be flexible with dates and consider off-peak travel.
How to Use a Companion Voucher for Solo Travel?
For vouchers earned after September 1, 2021, you can use them for solo travel by selecting one passenger and ticking the "Use a Companion Voucher" box during the "Book a flight with Avios" search. This will give you a 50% discount on the Avios required for your ticket.
How to Pay for Taxes and Fees on a Companion Voucher Booking?
You must use an American Express card to pay for the taxes, fees, and carrier charges associated with your Companion Voucher booking. It doesn't have to be the specific British Airways American Express card, any Amex card should work.
How to Change Dates on a Companion Voucher Booking?
You can generally change the dates of your Companion Voucher booking online or by calling British Airways, subject to reward seat availability and a potential change fee per passenger. The voucher's original expiry date still applies for the outbound journey.
How to Cancel a Companion Voucher Booking?
To cancel, access your booking on the British Airways website or call customer service. Your Avios will be refunded, and the Companion Voucher will be reinstated to your account, but remember its original expiry date remains unchanged.
How to Use the Companion Voucher on Partner Airlines?
British Airways American Express Companion Vouchers can be used for flights operated by British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. They generally cannot be used on other Oneworld alliance partners.
How to Get the Best Value from My Companion Voucher?
For the best value, especially with a Premium Plus voucher, aim for long-haul Business Class or First Class flights where the Avios savings are most significant. Be flexible with your travel dates and book as far in advance as possible to secure prime reward seats.
How to Add an Infant to a Companion Voucher Booking?
You can typically add an infant (under 2 years old, not requiring their own seat) to a Companion Voucher booking. The cost for the infant is usually 10% of the Avios and taxes required for an adult ticket. Contact British Airways if you can't add them online.
