I think the value proposition of Avios has shifted in that the companion vouchers can be of value, but they aren't the slam dunk proposition they appear to be and honestly, I think we have only used one of the eight we've ever earned. I know that is sacrilege around here, but we just don't plan trips far enough in advance to use them and our travel patterns mean ex-EU makes sense for us (and on different airlines!). You should also consider if you will be able to generate enough points through credit card use to have enough Avios to use the 241 - if you have to buy some to top up, that makes a 241 less valuable against a cash offer.

We have the BA paid card and due to not getting enough value out of the program and our changing flight needs, I believe we will be dropping it this year and moving to a more all-purpose card like an AmEx that can transfer points to different entities.

Id wait and watch for a VS joining offer and then switch as VS redemption levels tend to be lower than BA anyway - I think we got a holiday to Antigua out of the joining offer on the UK VS card. I wouldn't buy miles from VS at the discount rate unless you were planning to use the relatively soon, points sales come around a few times a year anyway.