I believe you can still get a referral bonus, but it’s 3,000 Avios if you hold the free card.

Morning All,

i have recently had had an email through regarding being successful with my companion voucher.

So this runs out on the 2nd June 2020 and I would like to start searching for flights asap so I don’t waste it like I have previously.

I have over 200k avios and would be looking to fly from Manchester or London and would like to use it for a summer holiday.

Any suggestions on places to go long haul first class preferably.

Any help with regards to how to search would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

Thank you so much for your reply.

I have the blue card so only valid for a year.

I know I mentioned summer holiday in my previous post but would look at anywhere for a beach holiday and pretty flexible with dates apart from time off in September 2019 and February 2020.

I live in Manchester but I’m guessing it’s a case of flying or train down to London and flying from there.

I’ve signed up on the BA reward flight finder and just wondering if there is any easier way of finding destinations other than this.

I would love some winter sun somewhere and if a first class is out of reach then could always use business.

Thanks again for your help.

Firstly you should not have the Blue card. Whilst the black one costs £195 PA you would have earned twice the avios on the £20,000 you spent to get your 241 voucher. The Black card spits out a voucher at £10k spend and the voucher is valid for 2 years. Bearing in mind all the best seats are snapped up when they are released the 24 month expiry puts you in pole position over the blue voucher as it ( the blue ) lags behind the availability rather than in front.

I appreciate the blue card is free but you could have upgraded to the black once you have spent over £10k got the 2 year 241 ( plus some free miles for taking the higher card ) and even down graded at a later date if your spending drops. There is always next year I guess :-)

There is plenty of option both East and West offering winter sun. Again the deal is to be flexible , I tend to pick places like Abu Dhabi, Barbados, Malaysia or Thailand for my winter sun and am sure you will find something to suit if you get the ball rolling soon-ish. Remember you have to fly on BA metal so no code sharing. The reward finder is a good place to start as it gives you all the available dates in one go.

Lastly you may have enough Avios to go in First one way so think about if you would prefer a day or night flight to experience First fully. Also think about what direction you would like First if you have a choice - out or back? Plus would you prefer to use the first class lounges in London inc the CCR if you are flying from T5 ( I would ) over the frankly pointless "First class" lounges at many out station like Barbados for example.