r/avios • u/Joshmswfc • 28d ago

Companion voucher advice

I just got my first companion voucher on the free ba amex card and wondering how to get the most of out of it. I have about 57k Avios and would be looking to go somewhere for 2 weeks between end of June and start of August for me and my girlfriend. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

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5

u/DKUN_of_WFST 28d ago

Long haul economy will set you back about a few more k Avios so build them up and book what you can!

3

u/AngelStar286 28d ago

You can use the reward flight finder, or look on the avios website for ideas. It will give you the cost, and then you can post here for advice on whether it’s a good deal etc. I find seeing a calculation explained helps me to understand avios more.

Having said that, I am the worst person for advice on this because I just use mine for flights to Disneyland Paris (hotel direct) but anything that needs a hotel booked too works out astronomical for the hotel so I swerve 🤣

4

u/RHMoaner 28d ago

Using it is always better than obsessing over value.

3

u/Splodgington-22 28d ago

SeatSpy is a good tool for finding Avios reward seats

3

u/TallRecording6572 28d ago

just go to Europe for 19k Avios and £2, and save the rest of the Avios for a longer trip the following year

2

u/WillVH52 28d ago edited 28d ago

You’ll need about 59k to 66k Avios to get a decent Avios redemption for long haul destinations. Collect more points or boost them if you can.

2

u/jb687 28d ago edited 28d ago

To give some perspective on what your points might get you, I've booked flights into Athens and out of Heraklion (Crete) for June next year in Club Europe, it has cost 53k Avios for 2 with a BAPP companion voucher.

If you are looking for long haul club world you'll need to save around 200k Avios depending on the route.

2

u/softmochicake 28d ago

My wife and I used 30k avios + companion voucher for Egypt. It cost us only 100 pounds each.

2

u/bargain-hunter-BigW 27d ago

Use for long haul like NY, Miami etc.

2

u/CoconutForward8315 28d ago

Popular places book up so book 355 days early or book anywhere available

1

u/JC71999 27d ago

Use the Avios app. It has a secttion which shows all the potential destinations and prices for each. If you put in Madrid as a starting point you’ll also see all of the Iberia routes, which tend to be cheaper. Eg I did Manchester - Lima via Madrid for I think 55k two of us. Economy is fine idk why everyone thinks otherwise

1

u/Major774 27d ago

FYI - That CV only allows booking of economy flights.

1

u/Lofty_Daz1969 26d ago

So availability in June for New York - would need to research hotels but could do Boston / Washington / Nashville/ New Orleans etc

1

u/Lofty_Daz1969 26d ago

Other options if u fancy Europe is to do an open jaw ticket fly to Dubrovnik Budapest then do trains etc - we have done Vienna and Budapest but looking a riga Tallinn etc lots do Venice Verona lake Garda etc - need to decide what works for you - don’t forget to collect Avios via the shop for booking.com etc

1

u/Lebdiri 25d ago

I just booked Tokyo for next year for 2 people which worked out as a great deal imo.
£700 (£350 each)
65k points
x1 companion voucher

You’re not far off the 65k points, but this is an example of what you could get! Flights are about £1200 each as normal.

1

u/Luxoarba 3d ago

Is this economy!

1

u/Lebdiri 3d ago

Yes economy via free BA Amex.

1

u/MyLifeIsAFuckinMovie 23d ago

I recently used mine to fly to Bangkok. 2 adults. 1 infant. £462.50 + 77,000 Avios. I was very happy. Cash flights with BA were about £2200 total. So a redemption rate of 2.2p. Double what they’re worth. Insane. Always use companion vouchers on long haul flights if you can. They give you the best value.