Summary
- British Airways raises spending requirements for Companion Voucher, matching both Amex card offerings at £15,000 annually.
- Companion Voucher program enhancements include redemption for any cabin, solo traveler discount, and partner airline routes.
- BA Amex Premium Plus Card annual fee increases to £300, while the BA Amex Credit Card remains a fee-free option.
Oneworld carrier British Airways has announced it will increase the minimum spending requirement to earn the Companion Voucher for the first time since the program launched twenty years ago. The changes follow improvements made to the program in 2022 and coincide with an increase in the annual fee for the BA Amex Premium Plus Card.
What is changing?
One of the headline perks of the cobranded American Express cards is the ability to earn a Companion Voucher after reaching an annual spending target. The vouchers allow British Airways Executive Club Members to book a second seat for a companion traveling on the same Reward Flight booking as them for no additional Avios or receive a 50% discount when traveling alone.
Beginning November 1st, the required spend to qualify for a Companion Voucher within a membership year will increase as follows to bring both Amex card offerings to the same amount:
- From £12,000 ($15,230) to £15,000 ($19,040) for BA Amex Credit Cardmembers
- From £10,000 ($13,960) to £15,000 for BA Amex Premium Plus Cardmembers
The airline has made several significant enhancements to the Companion Voucher program over the last two years. In June 2022, British Airways introduced the ability to redeem the voucher for a Reward Flight booking in any cabin and receive a 50% discount on the Avios price for the flight when traveling solo. That same month, it rolled out a feature to allow passengers to use the Avios and Money options to further reduce the cash price of award tickets.
British Airways Executive Club: Big Changes You Need To Know About
The frequent flyer program is migrating all its members to a single Tier Point collection period from 2025.
In December, British Airways introduced the ability to redeem the Companion Voucher on routes with fellow IAG carriers Iberia and Aer Lingus, as well as ones operated by British Airways. When reached for comment by Simple Flying, an American Express spokesperson outlined the reasoning behind the changes:
“We strive to deliver incredible rewards, value and customer service and from time to time we make changes to the terms of Cardmember accounts. As such, we are increasing the annual fee on our British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card, and changing the qualifying conditions for Companion Vouchers earned on both BA Amex Cards.
“The Companion Voucher – which has seen numerous enhancements in the past 2 years – remains an industry-leading credit card benefit, and both Cards, with their ability to collect Avios through everyday spending, continue to provide great value for customers.”
Photo: Finn stock | Shutterstock
Purchases made in the current membership year will count towards the new spending target. Existing cardmembers can obtain their Companion Voucher by reaching the current spending targets outlined above by Halloween. From November 1st, 2024, cardmembers will need to reach the new £15,000 target before the end of their membership year to earn their Companion Voucher.
Annual fees and elite opportunities
The annual fee for the BA Amex Premium Plus Card fee will increase from £250 ($317) to £300 ($380). The updated fees will apply to new card applications beginning today, April 10th, 2024. Existing members will start paying the new fee on renewals beginning August 1st. The blue BA Amex Credit Card will remain the only British Airways-branded credit card with no annual fee.
British Airways Launches Status Match Offer For US And Canadian Residents
The free offering allows members of competing airline loyalty programs to enjoy the benefits of elite status within the oneworld alliance.
Passengers looking to enjoy the benefits of elite status without a credit card are in luck. The airline just announced it will allow frequent flyers of competing airlines to match their tier status with the British Airways Executive Club for free. The status match lasts six months from approval and can be extended by completing one round-trip in a premium cabin.
Photo: Rich Higgins | Shutterstock
Elsewhere, the carrier announced it is extending a promotion that allows members to earn double tier points (the ones used to reach the next status level) when booking a package of flights plus hotel or flights plus car hire.
