The Amex Companion Voucher: The Most Valuable Thing Sitting in My Emails Right Now
There is a voucher sitting in my emails that I have not used yet and every single time I think about it I feel a specific kind of excited pressure that I imagine is what it feels like to be holding a golden ticket. The Amex companion voucher. If you have an American Express card and you have never heard of this, please sit down because I am about to change your travel game completely.
What Is the Companion Voucher?
The companion voucher is a buy one get one free flight. You book a British Airways reward flight using your Avios points and your companion flies for free. The taxes and charges still apply for both passengers but the actual Avios cost only comes out once rather than twice. On a long haul flight that represents an enormous saving.
How Do You Get One?
You need to reach the annual spending threshold on your British Airways American Express card within a membership year. When I earned my companion voucher the threshold on the Premium Plus card was £10,000. The spend target has since increased to £15,000 for both the standard BA Amex card and the Premium Plus card, with the change coming into effect from November 2024. The bar is higher than it was when I first got mine and I think it is important to say that rather than make it sound easier than it currently is.
That said, £15,000 in a year through everyday spending is still achievable for many people who are intentional about it. Bills, groceries, petrol, anything you can put through the card goes through the card, and you always pay the balance off in full every month without exception. You are also accumulating Avios points throughout the year on top of earning the voucher, so you are winning twice from the same spending even at the higher threshold.
Is it still worth it? For people who spend at that level naturally through everyday life and travel, yes. For people who would have to stretch their spending to hit the target, the maths needs more careful consideration. Always make the decision based on your own spending patterns and never spend beyond your means to chase rewards.
Where Am I Using Mine?
I have not decided yet and I am taking my time because this is not a decision to rush. Virgin Atlantic recently introduced an offer where you can get 25% back in Avios when you book a holiday package using a companion voucher, which was not possible before when it was flights only. That has opened up some interesting options and I am watching the routes carefully. When I use it I will absolutely report back in full detail. Watch this space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Amex companion voucher?
The American Express companion voucher allows you to bring a companion on a British Airways reward flight for free, paying Avios for only one passenger. Taxes and charges apply for both travellers.
How do you earn the Amex companion voucher?
By reaching the annual spending threshold of £15,000 on your eligible British Airways American Express card within a membership year. Always check current terms on the Amex website as these have changed before.
When does the companion voucher expire?
The standard BA Amex companion voucher is valid for 12 months from issuance. The Premium Plus card voucher is valid for 24 months. Always check your specific expiry date in your Amex account.
Do you still pay taxes with a companion voucher?
Yes, taxes and carrier charges apply for both passengers. The saving is on the Avios cost of the second seat, which on long haul flights represents a very significant saving.
