Travelers embarking on solo adventures around the world can now enjoy new benefits from their Companion Voucher, British Airways and American Express have announced. Card members who have earned a Companion Voucher since September 2021 on either the British Airways American Express Credit Card or the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card can choose to redeem it when booking a solo trip, receiving a 50 per cent discount on the Avios (the British Airways Executive Club’s reward currency) cost of the booking.
This is an additional option for travelers offering added flexibility. Card members can still choose to use the Companion Voucher to travel with a friend as they would have previously – receiving a second seat for a companion traveling on the same Reward Flight booking as them for no additional Avios.
Companion Vouchers are awarded to travelers who hold either British Airways American Express Card and reach the required spend amount within their Card membership year. They can be redeemed on available British Airways Reward Flights, which don’t need to start in the UK, allowing Card members to book either one journey for 50 per cent of the Avios required, or take a second traveler on their journey – on the same flights and in the same cabins – for no additional Avios, plus paying taxes, fees and charges per person.
In addition to this change, guests booking British Airways Reward Flights using a Companion Voucher (either as a solo traveler or with a companion) will have more control over their Avios spend. They will be able to choose from a variety of options regarding how many Avios to spend versus cash on each booking. This was previously fixed to just one Avios and cash option based on the route and cabin.
British Airways American Express Credit Card Companion Vouchers can be redeemed in economy cabins, while British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card Companion Vouchers can be redeemed across all cabins. Extra availability in Club World (long-haul business class), exclusive to those using the Companion Voucher, was added last year to make redemptions even easier. This extra availability is for those using a Companion Voucher earned since September 2021 either as a solo traveler or traveling with a friend.
Ian Romanis, Head of Retail and Customer Relationship Management at British Airways, said: “Solo travel is a popular option for our customers, which is reflected in the number of solo bookings we have seen. We’ve listened to our customers and we’ve introduced these exciting changes, understanding that flexibility is more important than ever to them.”
Caroline Bouvet, Vice President at American Express, said: “Companion Vouchers are an incredibly valuable benefit for Cardmembers, so it’s exciting that we’ve been able to make it even easier for them to be used on flights. As people return to travel – looking to go away by themselves or with a friend – the British Airways American Express Cards are a great way to turn everyday spending in to travel rewards, and the only way to earn the much-valued Companion Voucher.”
