MBNA Companion Voucher
Sep 20, 2017, 10:08 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Birmingham, UK
Programs: Skywards Silver
Posts: 16
MBNA Companion Voucher
Hi all,
Just spent about an hour on Expert Flyer looking to use a companion voucher on a BHX-KUL trip in J. I wasn't sure whether I should be looking for D or O availability so made sure all 4 legs had both. I then spent a further 25mins on the phone to Emirates only to be told that there was no availability for my companion
I wasn't entirely convinced that the agent knew what he was doing so can anyone confirm which bucket I should be checking on Expert Flyer? I recall having similar problems last year and ended up having to email the voucher back to Emirates as they didn't have a record of it on their system!
TIA
Just spent about an hour on Expert Flyer looking to use a companion voucher on a BHX-KUL trip in J. I wasn't sure whether I should be looking for D or O availability so made sure all 4 legs had both. I then spent a further 25mins on the phone to Emirates only to be told that there was no availability for my companion
I wasn't entirely convinced that the agent knew what he was doing so can anyone confirm which bucket I should be checking on Expert Flyer? I recall having similar problems last year and ended up having to email the voucher back to Emirates as they didn't have a record of it on their system!TIA
Sep 20, 2017, 11:21 am
#2
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,602
Do a search for Saver rewards on the Emirates website. If they are available on all the legs, you should be able to use the voucher.
However, you may find that 2 J Saver seats work out cheaper by the time you've paid the fees for the companion ticket.
However, you may find that 2 J Saver seats work out cheaper by the time you've paid the fees for the companion ticket.
Sep 20, 2017, 11:33 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Birmingham, UK
Programs: Skywards Silver
Posts: 16
Ah, that would explain it - I was thinking Expert Flyer could help rather than looking for Saver Fares. I'll have to rethink my dates/destination as there weren't many Savers available in November, I've probably left it a bit late this year :-(
Sep 20, 2017, 2:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: North East UK
Programs: Qatar Silver, Emirates Skyward Silver, SPG Gold , IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 79
I had a feeling this companion voucher may causes issues! HFP stated a few issues with the companion voucher. I haven't yet achieved the voucher as I only just received the cards in April with the higher bonus but a crappy credit limit which I cant even book a paid J seat with lol :/
Does anyone use any of the actual EK benefits from this MBNA card ..? (sorry for going off track...)
Xav
Does anyone use any of the actual EK benefits from this MBNA card ..? (sorry for going off track...)
Xav
Sep 20, 2017, 5:26 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: London, Dubai, Hong Kong
Programs: EK Platinum, BA/SQ Gold, HHonors Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 139
I've given up using mine, two savers are cheaper than trying to use it and it's so restrictive and your both on different fares which then makes upgrades near to impossible.
I'm currently sitting with my £150 voucher wondering what to do with it as it only works ex UK, also won't work if you try using when booking through business rewards.
I'm currently sitting with my £150 voucher wondering what to do with it as it only works ex UK, also won't work if you try using when booking through business rewards.
Sep 21, 2017, 12:30 am
#6
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,602
Sep 21, 2017, 2:12 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DUB / DXB
Programs: EK Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 2,471
Have to agree with most people here, ive earned the companion voucher every year and never once used it, as 2 J savers have always been cheaper than buy 1 J flex and then trying to find availabilty for the companion voucher.
Sep 21, 2017, 2:50 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Manchester/London
Programs: Skywards Plat, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,221
I think for expectation management it is worth knowing the card is great for acquiring miles, certainly when the offer is 25,000 for the elite. Added bonus of getting even more miles when you purchase flights with your card and also an interest free period.
It is certainly worth having for a year whilst the card is free. I personally don't think its great value after that. Certainly not when you can then rotate through with an american express card where you have the luxury of transferring your points to other airlines as well as emirates.
Like others have said it is not even worth looking in to the companion offer, I have never known anyone to find it more cost effective than saver fares.
It is certainly worth having for a year whilst the card is free. I personally don't think its great value after that. Certainly not when you can then rotate through with an american express card where you have the luxury of transferring your points to other airlines as well as emirates.
Like others have said it is not even worth looking in to the companion offer, I have never known anyone to find it more cost effective than saver fares.
Sep 21, 2017, 3:48 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Birmingham, UK
Programs: Skywards Silver
Posts: 16
I gave in eventually as all they could offer were flights out with a 12hr layover in DXB. There were no returns at all. I checked Expert Flyer and couldn't find any 'D' seats back to BHX or MAN for the dates I was after (-3/+3 days)
Ended up booking 2 x BHX-BKK J returns for £4050 which I was quite happy with. Only 1hr in DXB for the outward flight so it might be a nicotine free journey
Ended up booking 2 x BHX-BKK J returns for £4050 which I was quite happy with. Only 1hr in DXB for the outward flight so it might be a nicotine free journey
Sep 21, 2017, 5:40 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,304
It is certainly worth having for a year whilst the card is free. I personally don't think its great value after that. Certainly not when you can then rotate through with an american express card where you have the luxury of transferring your points to other airlines as well as emirates.
Sep 21, 2017, 6:26 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Manchester/London
Programs: Skywards Plat, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,221
I have just received a new MBNA one after a two year absence so ill let you know if I get the bonus miles again.
Sep 21, 2017, 8:37 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: North East UK
Programs: Qatar Silver, Emirates Skyward Silver, SPG Gold , IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 79
I've given up using mine, two savers are cheaper than trying to use it and it's so restrictive and your both on different fares which then makes upgrades near to impossible.
I'm currently sitting with my £150 voucher wondering what to do with it as it only works ex UK, also won't work if you try using when booking through business rewards.
I'm currently sitting with my £150 voucher wondering what to do with it as it only works ex UK, also won't work if you try using when booking through business rewards.
I did find LGW - HKG - BKK, KUL - LGW return all in J for 2018, £2200 which I thought was rather decent ... Price from Emirates as well.
Sep 21, 2017, 8:19 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: MT, USA
Programs: Ex-5C club, Skymiles Gold
Posts: 454
Sep 21, 2017, 11:52 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Manchester/London
Programs: Skywards Plat, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,221
I phoned and they confirmed you still get the miles. It is also in the small print on the website I believe. My 6 months is up next month so I will confirm again on the phone before getting the card and will update the outcome accordingly.
Sep 23, 2017, 4:26 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: London, Dubai, Hong Kong
Programs: EK Platinum, BA/SQ Gold, HHonors Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 139
Interestingly I had an email from MBNA asking about the EK credit card and benefits yesterday, I took the never ending questions but it asked about the value of the this voucher as one of the questions, and I gave it my honest answer....seems change may be on the horizon...