Yes, you can extend companion vouchers, but only in very specific circumstances
It’s not uncommon to have a companion voucher that you simply won’t be able to use before it expires. That is happening a lot for us now that we’re flying with Qatar more frequently. Given the perceived value of the voucher, it always feels like a waste when one lapses. Is it possible to extend a companion voucher, and how would you do that?
What is a companion voucher?
The British Airways Companion Voucher is the most valuable perk that you can get from a credit card. It has a significant impact on the number of points that you need for a reward flight. A couple booking a return flight using Avios via British Airways will see the required points halved. I wrote a longer article about the companion voucher, sometimes referred to as the 2-4-1 voucher.
The name “companion voucher” comes from the way that you can, effectively, bring a companion with you for no more points than travelling alone. The voucher only discounts the points needed. You will pay taxes and surcharges for both passengers.
If you are a solo traveller, you can still use a voucher. It will simply halve the points needed for a return flight. It has no impact on the taxes and surcharges (the cash element of the Avios booking).
You can also use a companion voucher with Iberia and Aer Lingus, although it is notoriously difficult to find availability.
When do companion vouchers expire?
The life of a voucher will depend on how you earned it:
- If you earn the voucher from a standard (Free) British Airways Amex card, then it has a lifetime of one year
- For companion vouchers earned from the Premium Plus (paid for) card, the lifetime is two years
The expiry date of the voucher will be either twelve or twenty-four months after the date on which you earned the voucher. That is the day that you hit the required spend to earn the voucher. For both cards, that means spending £15,000 in a card year.
Your card year starts on the day your account was opened with American Express.
Can you extend a companion voucher?
Yes, but only for very specific circumstances. There are several reasons you could qualify, but the likelihood that you fit any of them is relatively slim.
The companion voucher T&Cs (which you can read here) state that extensions of three months can be granted for these reasons:
- If British Airways, Aer Lingus or Iberia cancel your flight
- If you have a serious illness. You will need to provide proof of your illness from a GP or doctor.
- If you have a high-risk pregnancy, but again you will need a letter from a GP
- When an immediate family member passes away, evidence is required.
- If you have a job that requires you to travel, for example, if you are in the armed forces or a medical professional.
- If you have carer responsibilities
- If you are travelling with an immediate family member who is unable to travel due to illness. Evidence will be requested.
- Finally, if there is a significant political conflict or natural disaster that means you cannot travel.
Extending is possible, but is it worth it?
The reality is that if you simply want to extend a companion voucher because you aren’t able to find a flight you want, or you don’t have enough points, this is not possible. BA specifically states:
If I can’t redeem my Voucher for the destination I want, can I get the Voucher extended?
Unfortunately, this is not possible, but with over 125 different destinations you are sure to find one that’s right for you.
So the official line is: use your voucher while you can, and if you don’t have enough points for a long-haul business class trip, you should be using them for a short-haul one.
Even if you can extend, the three extra months aren’t much time.
How would you request an extension?
Assuming that you fit into one or more of the criteria above, reach out to British Airways via the livechat visible on the contact page. There is no formalised process for requesting an extension. You have to request it manually from BA.
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