SimonsMiles

My old Avios.com account has been merged with my BA account. I now have the following vouchers available:

• 2 x Lloyds Avios upgrade vouchers
• 1 x BA Amex Companion voucher

I am looking to make a booking in J, one way, LHR-BOS, for five people. I was hoping this would be possible:

• 2 people using BA Companion Voucher, 60000 avios (full price 60k, plus one free)
• 3 people using Lloyds Upgrade Vouchers one way, 120000 avios (cost of WT+ 40k, times three)

So it should be a total of 180000 avios. However, BAEC and the old Avios team seem to be saying that:

1. I cannot make a single booking using both types of vouchers, even though they are all linked to the same BA account, and
2. I must be present on the booking for all vouchers, so I cannot just split up into two PNRs (since I won't be present on both!)

The only option they are giving me is: four people using Lloyds Upgrade Vouchers one way, 160000 avios (cost of WT+ 40k times four), plus one person full price 60000, for a total of 220000 avios!

Can anyone see a way out so that I can get my reward for 180k avios as above? (I have exactly 180k avios and don't really want to buy more).

-simon

JAXBA

It never used to be possible to use both voucher types together; I wouldn't expect it to be possible now, despite the combination of Avios.com accounts into BAEC.

Yes, you must be in the booking for the voucher to be used.

Can you somehow earn another Amex Companion voucher in a hurry?

pauldb

Certainly people have in the past reported being able to use the Lloyds vouchers for others, though the BAEC tie-up may have tightened things there. While it could be frowned upon I would certainly try calling the avios.com number and trying to make the booking you want for 3 others, leaving yourself and the 241 out of it for now (or doing that simultaneously online).

Even more frownable, I'm wondering how real the risks of trying to book yourself on both bookings (assuming you are further required to be on both Lloyds vouchers) and then cancelling yourself from the Lloyds one later on. Admittedly they might want to cancel the entire Lloyds booking and you'd lose the vouchers, but more likely they never raise an eyebrow. Your risk though --- BEWARE!!!!

golfmad

This approach would not be compatible with a stress-free life!