To the point
It is now possible to take advantage of the British Airways Executive Club companion voucher as a solo traveller, and not just for a second passenger.
Milesopedia recommends this card from RBC
RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite‡
Up to 60,000 points Avios
RBC British Airways Visa Infinite cardholders will be delighted to learn that the companion voucher can now be used to save on solo travel.
Cardholders who spend more than $30,000 in the same year on the card earn a travel companion voucher. However, it is now possible to use this voucher to get a 50% discount on the fare of the award flight purchased with Avios points. All you have to do is pay the carrier’s taxes fees and charges.
Here are two scenarios for using the British Airways Executive Club companion voucher:
- Two tickets for the price of one in Avios points + carrier fees, taxes and charges (for two passengers)
- One ticket at 50% of the fare in Avios points + carrier fees, taxes and charges
This new usage policy applies to companion vouchers issued from July 4, 2023. As a reminder, a companion voucher must be used within 24 months of receipt, so you have two full years to use it.
Companion voucher - Example of use
Let’s take the example of a flight from Montreal to London on October 2. The award fare for one person in economy class is 25,000 Avios + $348.41.
For two passengers, the total fare would be 50,000 Avios + $696.82. Using the companion voucher, you could get two tickets for 25,000 Avios + $696.82.
If you decide to use your companion voucher in solo mode, i.e. for a single ticket, it will cost you 12,500 Avios + $348.41, since you will save 50% on the Avios fare.
Since a companion voucher can only be used once, we advise you to use it for a round trip to get the most out of it.
Companion voucher - Earn Avios points
Avios points can be earned and used in a number of ways, including transferring RBC Avion points to the British Airways Executive Club program.
However, it is important to note that the only way to get a companion voucher with this program in Canada is by fulfilling the conditions of the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card. You can still use these different transfer partners to earn enough Avios points to buy your next award tickets, and take advantage of occasional transfer promotions to earn even more points:
What’s more, Avios points are even more flexible, as they can now be shared with Qatar Airways Privilege Club points.
Companion Voucher - RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card
With the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card, you can earn up to 60,000 Avios as a welcome bonus.
With this card, you get a Companion Award eVoucher (when you spend $30,000 or more in any calendar year). And you can enjoy a 10% discount on British Airways flights when you book with your RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card.
You earn 2 Avios miles for every dollar you spend with British Airways and 1 Avios mile per dollar on all other purchases.
And you’re covered by a number of insurance plans: Out-of-Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance, Travel Accident Insurance, Flight Delay and Emergency Purchases Insurance, Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance, Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance.
Bottom line
This change to companion voucher of the British Airways Executive Club adds great flexibility to its use. It remains to be seen whether other airlines like Air Canada and WestJet will follow suit and add this option to their companion pass.
Find out more about other companion passes :
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