British Airways Avios Companion Voucher: Beginners Guide

If you've dipped your toes into the travel rewards world in the UK, you've likely heard whispers of the fabled British Airways Companion Voucher - arguably one of the most valuable credit card perks available to UK travellers. As someone who has used these vouchers to explore destinations that would otherwise be financially out of reach, I'm excited to share everything you need to know about this powerful travel tool, including the important changes that took effect in late 2024.

What Exactly Is the British Airways Companion Voucher?

The British Airways Companion Voucher is a benefit earned through qualifying British Airways American Express credit cards that allows you to book a second seat on the same British Airways flight using Avios for absolutely no additional Avios (you still pay taxes and fees for both passengers). Essentially, this means you're getting a two-for-one deal on Avios redemptions.

For instance, if you were booking a business class flight to New York that would normally cost 100,000 Avios per person, you'd only need 100,000 Avios total for two people with the Companion Voucher (plus taxes and fees for both, of course).

But there's more flexibility now: if you're traveling solo, you can use the Companion Voucher to get a 50% discount on the Avios required for your booking. This enhancement, introduced in recent years, has significantly increased the voucher's versatility.

How to Earn a Companion Voucher (Updated for 2025)

There are two primary credit cards that offer the Companion Voucher in the UK, and the spending requirements were standardised in November 2024:

1. British Airways American Express Credit Card (free version)

   • Earn a Companion Voucher when you spend £15,000 in a membership year

   • Voucher is valid for one year from issue date

   • Can only be used for Economy cabins (Euro Traveller or World Traveller)

2. British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card (£300 annual fee, increased from £250 in 2024)

   • Earn a Companion Voucher when you spend £15,000 in a membership year (increased from £10,000)

   • Voucher is valid for two years from issue date

   • Can be used for any cabin class (Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First)

The Premium Plus version of the voucher is significantly more valuable due to its longer validity period and ability to be used in premium cabins, where you'll typically find the best value. While both cards now have the same spending requirement, the premium benefits of the Plus card make it the preferred option for serious travellers despite the annual fee.

If you're interested in signing up for either of these cards, you can check the latest welcome bonuses and offers here.

Using Your Companion Voucher: Step by Step

1. Earning the voucher: Once you hit the £15,000 spending threshold on your BA Amex card, the voucher will be deposited into your British Airways Executive Club account (usually within a few days).

2. Finding availability: This is often the trickiest part. British Airways releases a limited number of reward seats in each cabin, and these can be highly competitive, especially for popular routes and premium cabins.

3. Booking process:

   • Log in to your British Airways Executive Club account

   • Search for the flights you want (ensure you're looking for reward flights)

   • When you find suitable flights, proceed to the booking page

   • You'll be prompted to use your Companion Voucher if one is available in your account

   • Follow the prompts to complete your booking

4. Timing considerations: The two-year validity of the Premium Plus voucher refers to the booking date, not the travel date. This means you can book flights that depart after the voucher expires, as long as you make the reservation before the expiration date.

5. Expanded airline options: You can now use your Companion Voucher not only on British Airways flights but also on Iberia and Aer Lingus, which significantly expands your route options.

Maximising Value: Where Companion Vouchers Shine

Having used Companion Vouchers for several years now, I've found certain redemptions consistently offer better value than others:

1. Long-haul premium cabins

The absolute sweet spot for Companion Vouchers is long-haul premium cabin redemptions. Business Class (Club World) and First Class represent exceptional value since you're essentially getting a 50% discount on already attractive redemption rates.

For example, a Club World return to New York can cost upwards of £3,500 per person when paying cash. Using Avios, this might cost around 100,000-120,000 Avios plus £600-700 in taxes and fees per person. With a Companion Voucher, that second seat costs you zero additional Avios - representing significant savings.

To calculate exactly how many Avios you'll need for specific routes, use our How Many Avios Points For a Flight calculator.

2. Off-peak travel dates

British Airways uses a peak and off-peak calendar for Avios redemptions. By targeting off-peak dates, you can reduce the Avios required, making your Companion Voucher even more valuable. The difference can be substantial - sometimes up to 30% fewer Avios required during off-peak periods.

3. Routes with high cash fares but reasonable taxes

Some destinations have disproportionately high cash fares compared to the Avios required, while maintaining relatively reasonable taxes and fees. These represent excellent value for Companion Voucher redemptions.

For instance, routes to the Middle East, Far East, and certain parts of North America often fall into this category. Use our Award Travel Finder to identify high-value redemption opportunities.

4. Solo travel option

One of the most significant enhancements in recent years is the ability to use the Companion Voucher as a solo traveler for a 50% Avios discount. This is perfect for those who may not always have a travel partner but still want to leverage the voucher's value.

Strategic Considerations for Maximum Value

Cabin Class Considerations

While the greatest absolute savings come from First Class redemptions, not everyone has the Avios balance to support such bookings, even with a Companion Voucher. Here's my take on the value proposition across cabin classes:

• Economy: Generally poor value due to the high taxes and fees making up a large proportion of the ticket cost. I typically avoid using Companion Vouchers for Economy redemptions unless cash fares are exceptionally high. Note that if you have the free BA Amex card, you're limited to Economy redemptions only.

• Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus): A step up from Economy, but still not usually the best value use of a Companion Voucher. However, it can be worthwhile for trips where Business isn't available or if your Avios balance is limited.

• Business (Club World/Club Europe): The sweet spot for most travellers. Offers substantial savings compared to cash fares, a vastly improved experience over Economy, and requires fewer Avios than First.

• First: The ultimate value if you have the Avios to spare. Offers the most luxurious experience and typically represents the highest cash savings.

Airport Selection Considerations

British Airways operates from multiple London airports, and your choice can significantly impact taxes and fees:

• London Heathrow (LHR): Primary hub with the most destinations but also the highest passenger duty and fees.

• London Gatwick (LGW): Typically offers slightly lower taxes than Heathrow for long-haul flights.

• London City (LCY): Primarily short-haul, but occasionally offers unique options like the all-business-class service to New York (though sadly, this has not resumed after the pandemic).

If you're flying from outside London, you'll need to factor in positioning flights. Sometimes it's worth using Avios for these (without the Companion Voucher) or booking separate cash tickets to reach London.

A particularly valuable strategy is leveraging Avanti's Superfares for getting to London at incredibly low prices.

When to Book for Best Availability

British Airways typically releases Avios reward seats approximately 355 days in advance. For popular routes and premium cabins, booking as soon as seats become available often provides the best chance of securing your preferred flights.

However, BA also frequently releases additional reward seats closer to departure dates:

• T-90 days: Often sees an increase in available reward seats

• T-21 days: Another potential availability increase

• Last minute (within 7 days): Can see substantial increases, but risky if your travel plans aren't flexible

For those with BA Gold status, you may find additional availability that isn't accessible to Bronze or Silver members, particularly in premium cabins.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

1. Letting the voucher expire

With the Premium Plus voucher's two-year validity, it's surprisingly common for people to simply forget about it until it's too late. I recommend:

• Setting a calendar reminder 3-6 months before expiration

• Having a backup plan or destination in mind if your first choice isn't available

2. Overvaluing Economy redemptions

As mentioned earlier, Economy redemptions rarely represent good value when using a Companion Voucher due to the proportionally high taxes and fees. Calculate the "pence per Avios" value you're getting by comparing the cash fare minus taxes/fees against the Avios required. Aim for at least 1p per Avios value, though 1.5p+ is achievable with premium cabin redemptions.

Our BA Avios Balance Boost calculator can help you determine whether your redemption offers good value.

3. Not considering alternative airports

Don't limit yourself to the most obvious routes. British Airways flies to numerous destinations from multiple London airports, and sometimes switching your departure or arrival airport can open up availability or reduce fees.

For complex routings, use our Great Circle Mapper to visualise and calculate distances, which can be helpful for distance-based award pricing.

4. Forgetting about positioning flights

If you don't live in London, remember to factor in the cost and logistics of getting to your departure airport. Sometimes using a separate Avios redemption (without the Companion Voucher) or booking a budget airline flight can be the most efficient approach.

5. Not exploring partner airline options

Now that you can use the Companion Voucher on Iberia and Aer Lingus flights as well, make sure to check these options when planning your trip. They might offer better availability or lower taxes/fees on certain routes.

Real-World Example: My Recent Voucher Redemption

Last year, I used a Barclaycard Avios Upgrade Voucher (similar idea, but slightly different) to book Club World tickets from London Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda. The cash price for two tickets was approximately £7,500, but I was able to secure them for 100,000 Avios plus approximately £600 in taxes and fees for both passengers.

When calculating the value, I subtract the taxes and fees from the cash price (£7,500 - £600 = £6,900), then divide by the Avios spent (100,000) to get approximately 6.9p per Avios - an exceptional redemption value!

For those interested in similar journeys, I've detailed my experience in my British Airways Club World Review: London to Tokyo.

Building Your Avios Balance for Companion Voucher Redemptions

To maximise a Companion Voucher, you'll need a healthy Avios balance. Here are my top strategies for building your Avios quickly:

1. Credit card welcome bonuses: British Airways American Express cards offer substantial welcome bonuses. The Premium Plus card frequently offers up to 30,000 Avios for new cardholders who meet the minimum spend requirements (learn more here).

2. Everyday spending: Beyond the initial bonus, continue using your BA Amex for everyday spending to earn additional Avios and work toward your next Companion Voucher.

3. Boost offers: British Airways occasionally runs "boost" offers allowing you to purchase Avios at competitive rates. Our BA Avios Balance Boost calculator can help determine if these represent good value.

4. Shopping portal: The British Airways Shopping Portal frequently offers bonus Avios for purchases through various retailers. These can add up quickly, especially during promotional periods.

5. Transfer partners: If you collect American Express Membership Rewards points, these can be transferred to Avios at a 1:1 ratio, often with transfer bonuses.

For more comprehensive strategies, check out our How to Collect Avios Points guide.

Recent Changes and Future of the Companion Voucher

The Companion Voucher has undergone several significant changes in recent years:

1. Standardised spending requirements: As of November 2024, both BA Amex cards require £15,000 of spending to earn the voucher, removing one of the key advantages of the Premium Plus card.

2. Increased annual fee: The BA Amex Premium Plus Card annual fee increased from £250 to £300 in August 2024.

3. Enhanced flexibility: The ability to use the voucher for solo travel (50% Avios discount) and on partner airlines (Iberia and Aer Lingus) has significantly improved its versatility.

4. Economy-only restriction: The free BA Amex card voucher can only be used for Economy redemptions, a restriction introduced in September 2021.

With British Airways' recent Club loyalty programme changes, there's always the possibility of further adjustments to the Companion Voucher scheme. However, despite the increased spending requirement, the voucher remains one of the most valuable credit card benefits available to UK travellers.

My recommendation is to earn and use these vouchers while they maintain their current value - there's never a guarantee that such generous benefits will continue indefinitely in the competitive loyalty programme landscape.

Final Thoughts

The British Airways Companion Voucher represents an exceptional opportunity to access premium travel experiences at a fraction of their usual cost. While it requires more spending than before and more planning and flexibility, the potential value far outweighs the effort involved.

Whether you're dreaming of a business class trip to New York or a first-class adventure to Tokyo, the companion voucher can transform these aspirations from distant dreams to achievable reality. In my experience, few travel hacking strategies offer such consistent and substantial value to UK-based travellers.

So if you haven't yet incorporated the Companion Voucher into your travel rewards strategy, now is the time to consider doing so - even with the recent changes. Your future self, sipping champagne at 35,000 feet while paying half the usual Avios rate, will thank you.

Happy travels!

Jack @ Smart With Points

P.S. Have you used a Companion Voucher for any memorable trips? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below or on our Instagram. And if you're looking to track available award seats for your Companion Voucher redemption, don't forget to check out Seats.aero, which can alert you when those coveted premium cabin seats become available.