The Ultimate Guide to Using Your British Airways Companion Voucher
Have you ever felt frustrated by not being able to use your British Airways Companion Voucher only for it to expire? You’re not alone. Many of my friends have told me they find the process too confusing or frustrating to bother with. It’s heartbreaking because the whole point of getting the British Airways American Express card is to unlock 2-4-1 travel! After several successful trips to Costa Rica, Dubai, and Japan with my husband and little one, I’m excited to share the tips that helped us book these amazing trips flying in business class.
J and I on our way to our honeymoon in Costa Rica
Not All Companion Vouchers Are Created Equal
British Airways, in partnership with American Express, offers two types of credit cards: the BA Amex (fee-free) and the BA Amex Premium Plus (with an annual fee). Both cards currently require the same spend to trigger the Companion Voucher. However, the vouchers issued with these cards come with different benefits.
BA Amex (fee-free): The Companion Voucher issued with this card can only be used for Economy Class Reward flights, regardless of whether it’s a short- or long-haul flight. If your goal is to reduce the cost of your flight and you're happy flying in Economy, this might be the perfect fit for you.
BA Amex Premium Plus (fee version): The Premium Plus card allows you to redeem your Companion Voucher for any class of service, from Economy to First Class, giving you more flexibility and access to additional reward seats that are exclusively available to Premium Plus cardholders. This was a game-changer when I was booking our trip to Japan, where we were able to secure a business class seats using the voucher. Without the voucher, the total cost for two adults and one infant would have been £9000. Instead we paid just £1400! The added comfort made traveling 18 hours with a four-month-old a much smoother and more enjoyable experience.
In my opinion, the best way to use your Companion Voucher is for long-haul business class travel—because let’s face it, that’s how you truly travel in style. If the annual fee of the Premium Plus card is holding you back, consider this: one properly redeemed voucher can save you thousands and elevate your travel experience. For us, it has been worth every penny.
Knowing which Companion Voucher you have upfront can save you from the disappointment of finding a business class seat, only to realise you can’t book it with your voucher.
The 355 Day Rule: Planning for peak routes :
BA releases reward seats (and standard flights) 355 days before departure. For popular routes, like Sydney, you may need to plan that far in advance because these seats get booked very quickly. While BA now guarantees at least four business class reward seats on every flight, the reality is that you’ll still be competing with potentially hundreds of thousands of others looking to snag the same seats.
If your travel dates aren’t flexible, planning your trip 355 days in advance is essential. To make the process easier, consider signing up for a seat finder service like SeatSpy or Reward Flight Finder. These tools can send you alerts when your desired flight dates become available, saving you the hassle of constantly checking.
That said, reward flights offer great flexibility—allowing you to cancel at any point, even during your trip! As a result, availability often opens up significantly in the month leading up to your travel dates. Keep checking, and don’t give up!
Another key tip: tickets are released at midnight London time. Popular routes tend to get booked within minutes, so if you want to secure specific dates, be ready to book as soon as they’re available.
Return not available ? Book one way
If your ideal return flight isn’t available when bookings open 355 days in advance, don’t worry—you can still secure your travel plans. Here’s how:
Step 1: Book your outbound flight as a one-way ticket when it becomes available.
Step 2: When the return flight opens up, book it as another one-way ticket.
Step 3: Contact BA to merge your bookings and refund the additional Avios used.
Keep in mind that you’ll need enough Avios to cover both flights upfront, especially for business class seats. However, this method ensures you lock in your desired dates without missing out.
You don’t have to fly BA
Great news! You’re no longer limited to flying with British Airways when using your Companion Voucher. Now, you can also book flights with Iberia and Aer Lingus, giving you access to even more destinations.
Here’s how it works:
Iberia: Fly to destinations like South America, with connections through Madrid.
Aer Lingus: Explore North America, connecting through Dublin.
Keep in mind:
You’ll need to fly via each airline’s hub (Madrid for Iberia, Dublin for Aer Lingus).
Reward seat availability isn’t guaranteed on all routes, so plan ahead.
This expanded partnership is a fantastic option if BA doesn’t serve your destination or if you’re looking for better route options to places like South America.
BA flight landing in Funchal, Madeira
Just Book
Don’t let your Companion Voucher go to waste! If it’s close to expiring and you can’t plan a long-haul adventure, why not treat yourself to a weekend getaway in Europe?
A short-haul redemption might not seem as glamorous as a long-haul trip, but it’s still an excellent way to enjoy the perks of your voucher. Whether it’s a canal-side retreat in Amsterdam, a scenic escape to the natural wonders of Slovenia, or a cultural and culinary journey through Seville, you can create a memorable trip closer to home.
The key is to use the voucher before it expires—you deserve to enjoy the benefits, no matter the distance!
I hope these tips help you finally use your Companion Voucher and unlock your dream trip! Don’t let it go to waste—plan ahead and book early to make the most of this fantastic benefit. Where will you go next?