Unwanted amex companion voucher
Oct 19, 22, 2:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 277
Unwanted amex companion voucher
Hi!
Not sure what planet I have been on, I thought by getting an amex companion voucher on a basic BA card that I would be able to use in any class, not only economy
Wondering if I have any options to ask for it to be cancelled? so I can take out the card with 250 fee to start collecting BA points towards another companion voucher now, my voucher was issued in August so have a long wait otherwise
Not planning on booking for anywhere in economy anytime soon
Thanks!
Not sure what planet I have been on, I thought by getting an amex companion voucher on a basic BA card that I would be able to use in any class, not only economy
Wondering if I have any options to ask for it to be cancelled? so I can take out the card with 250 fee to start collecting BA points towards another companion voucher now, my voucher was issued in August so have a long wait otherwise
Not planning on booking for anywhere in economy anytime soon
Thanks!
Oct 19, 22, 2:41 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2022
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 213
I genuinely could be wrong, but won't they be different CVs if you got a black card and just started collecting towards that? I.E. do you have to wait until August just because that was the date on the blue card?
I'm about 90% sure it's a different product and therefore you can just go with it, but please, someone better at this correct me. I'm not aware of any way to 'cancel' a voucher, in any case.
I'm about 90% sure it's a different product and therefore you can just go with it, but please, someone better at this correct me. I'm not aware of any way to 'cancel' a voucher, in any case.
Oct 19, 22, 4:21 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: BAEC Bronze, Mucci recipient
Posts: 1,688
The rules changed in September 2021. Since then the voucher on the free card is eligible only for economy class.
When is the anniversary of your card ie how soon into the 12 month period did you earn the companion voucher? You can only "earn" one companion voucher per 12 month period eg your card anniversary date is January meaning you cannot start the spend counter for another voucher until Jan 2023. There is no point upgrading to the BAPP card in the middle of the year since you cannot earn another voucher. I would wait until the new card year starts and upgrade then. If however you are already a couple of months into the new 12 month period then definitely upgrade the card - any spend on the free card will count towards the BAPP voucher.
You cannot convert the voucher you already have. I am not sure if it pertains to the free voucher but the BAPP voucher can be used as a 50% off single ticket so it might work to use it to travel short haul to Europe to start a Long Haul trip from the EU.
When is the anniversary of your card ie how soon into the 12 month period did you earn the companion voucher? You can only "earn" one companion voucher per 12 month period eg your card anniversary date is January meaning you cannot start the spend counter for another voucher until Jan 2023. There is no point upgrading to the BAPP card in the middle of the year since you cannot earn another voucher. I would wait until the new card year starts and upgrade then. If however you are already a couple of months into the new 12 month period then definitely upgrade the card - any spend on the free card will count towards the BAPP voucher.
You cannot convert the voucher you already have. I am not sure if it pertains to the free voucher but the BAPP voucher can be used as a 50% off single ticket so it might work to use it to travel short haul to Europe to start a Long Haul trip from the EU.
Oct 19, 22, 4:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: England
Programs: BAEC Gold, UA Mileage Plus Silver, Hotels.com Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, Pizza Express Gold
Posts: 576
Cancel your card. Wait a month or two. Apply for the premium card. Spend 10k.
If you're about to apply for a mortgage ignore the above!
Don't try to upgrade - it's not worth it.
If you're about to apply for a mortgage ignore the above!
Don't try to upgrade - it's not worth it.
Oct 20, 22, 1:20 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Sussex
Programs: BA; IHG; LHW; Hilton
Posts: 703
The rules changed in September 2021. Since then the voucher on the free card is eligible only for economy class.
When is the anniversary of your card ie how soon into the 12 month period did you earn the companion voucher? You can only "earn" one companion voucher per 12 month period eg your card anniversary date is January meaning you cannot start the spend counter for another voucher until Jan 2023. There is no point upgrading to the BAPP card in the middle of the year since you cannot earn another voucher. I would wait until the new card year starts and upgrade then. If however you are already a couple of months into the new 12 month period then definitely upgrade the card - any spend on the free card will count towards the BAPP voucher.
You cannot convert the voucher you already have. I am not sure if it pertains to the free voucher but the BAPP voucher can be used as a 50% off single ticket so it might work to use it to travel short haul to Europe to start a Long Haul trip from the EU.
When is the anniversary of your card ie how soon into the 12 month period did you earn the companion voucher? You can only "earn" one companion voucher per 12 month period eg your card anniversary date is January meaning you cannot start the spend counter for another voucher until Jan 2023. There is no point upgrading to the BAPP card in the middle of the year since you cannot earn another voucher. I would wait until the new card year starts and upgrade then. If however you are already a couple of months into the new 12 month period then definitely upgrade the card - any spend on the free card will count towards the BAPP voucher.
You cannot convert the voucher you already have. I am not sure if it pertains to the free voucher but the BAPP voucher can be used as a 50% off single ticket so it might work to use it to travel short haul to Europe to start a Long Haul trip from the EU.
Oct 20, 22, 1:24 am
#7
formerly JackDann
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 1,482
Oct 20, 22, 4:19 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Based out of MAN; LON/NYC regular
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Platinum Amb, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 210
It's absolutely fine as long as you've been paying the card balance in full every month (or at least meeting the minimum payment requirements).
Oct 20, 22, 6:51 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Based out of MAN; LON/NYC regular
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Platinum Amb, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 210
If you cancel though you can go without a card long enough to be eligible for the new customer bonus Avios (and potentially work with an existing cardholder so that they can refer you).
Oct 20, 22, 7:11 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 277
The rules changed in September 2021. Since then the voucher on the free card is eligible only for economy class.
When is the anniversary of your card ie how soon into the 12 month period did you earn the companion voucher? You can only "earn" one companion voucher per 12 month period eg your card anniversary date is January meaning you cannot start the spend counter for another voucher until Jan 2023. There is no point upgrading to the BAPP card in the middle of the year since you cannot earn another voucher. I would wait until the new card year starts and upgrade then. If however you are already a couple of months into the new 12 month period then definitely upgrade the card - any spend on the free card will count towards the BAPP voucher.
You cannot convert the voucher you already have. I am not sure if it pertains to the free voucher but the BAPP voucher can be used as a 50% off single ticket so it might work to use it to travel short haul to Europe to start a Long Haul trip from the EU.
When is the anniversary of your card ie how soon into the 12 month period did you earn the companion voucher? You can only "earn" one companion voucher per 12 month period eg your card anniversary date is January meaning you cannot start the spend counter for another voucher until Jan 2023. There is no point upgrading to the BAPP card in the middle of the year since you cannot earn another voucher. I would wait until the new card year starts and upgrade then. If however you are already a couple of months into the new 12 month period then definitely upgrade the card - any spend on the free card will count towards the BAPP voucher.
You cannot convert the voucher you already have. I am not sure if it pertains to the free voucher but the BAPP voucher can be used as a 50% off single ticket so it might work to use it to travel short haul to Europe to start a Long Haul trip from the EU.
Oct 20, 22, 7:12 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 277
I haven't cancelled my Barclays as one of the few Visa cards I have which are helpful for hotel offers in UAE specifically for VISA card holders
Oct 20, 22, 7:13 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 277
Uum perhaps use it on a flight from London city? Thats what I did since the business and economy seats are exactly the same and theres no lounge to enjoy anyway. The cabin crew still came round with alcoholic drinks, all I missed out on was the cold salad that they seem to be having the other side of the curtain.
Oct 20, 22, 8:03 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 232
I got caught out by this too, having not realised the change. Quite the disappointment when I realised. I wish we could at least book WT+ with it.
I've been toying with the idea of upgrading to the BAPP, especially as my eldest just started university and all the various fees will easily take me over 10K every year, and my 2nd born will take over straight after. Not sure it's worth it though. The companion voucher would be the only real reason to upgrade for me, and that means that effectively I'd have to add 250 to the taxes of whatever yearly trip I take thus lessening the value. And just as importantly my business travel, which is almost always economy, has been reduced drastically so I don't think I'll replenish my Avios reserves fast enough every year to make the voucher interesting after 2/3 years...
With flight prices being what they are, And with a business trip to the US coming up early next year, I'm thinking of using the current voucher on a "half-price" single ticket for the other half to travel with me..
I've been toying with the idea of upgrading to the BAPP, especially as my eldest just started university and all the various fees will easily take me over 10K every year, and my 2nd born will take over straight after. Not sure it's worth it though. The companion voucher would be the only real reason to upgrade for me, and that means that effectively I'd have to add 250 to the taxes of whatever yearly trip I take thus lessening the value. And just as importantly my business travel, which is almost always economy, has been reduced drastically so I don't think I'll replenish my Avios reserves fast enough every year to make the voucher interesting after 2/3 years...
With flight prices being what they are, And with a business trip to the US coming up early next year, I'm thinking of using the current voucher on a "half-price" single ticket for the other half to travel with me..
Oct 20, 22, 12:43 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: BAEC Bronze, Mucci recipient
Posts: 1,688
I don't think that will work - only the card / voucher holder can use it as a half-price single. It's not like the Barclaycard voucher which can be used to pay for someone else.
