MORE GOOD NEWS: Use your British Airways Companion Voucher on Iberia and Aer Lingus

From today, British Airways American Express® Cardmembers will be able to use their Companion Vouchers to book Aer Lingus and Iberia Reward flights.

With the addition of these two airlines, Cardmembers who have earned a British Airways American Express Companion Voucher since 2021 will have even more choice. These are the new style vouchers that can be used for routes starting outside the UK or for 50% off. This makes the BA Amex much more valuable between this and the announcement that RFS is now available on long haul flights. 

British Airways American Express® Credit Card Companion Vouchers can be redeemed in economy cabins, while British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card Companion Vouchers can be redeemed across all cabins. These terms apply when redeeming on Aer Lingus and Iberia flights too. The Premium Plus does have an annual fee, but with these new changes, it definitely makes it worth it again in my opinion. 

Companion Vouchers are awarded to travellers who hold a British Airways American Express Credit Card or British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card and reach the required spend amount within their Cardmembership year.

They can be redeemed on Avios Reward flights, allowing Cardmembers to book either one journey for 50% of the Avios required, or take a second traveller on their journey – on the same flights and in the same cabins – for no additional Avios, plus paying taxes, fees and charges per person.

This change is such good news because Iberia and Aer Lingus flights are already great value in terms of Avios redemptions. Both airlines require fewer Avios on many routes as well as much cheaper taxes. For example Iberia normally only charges 68,000 Avios and £425 to New York in business class return versus British Airways standard 110,000 Avios plus £853.01. 

Some people criticise Iberia, but my flights with them have been decent. You can read my reviews here. They have relatively new seats with all-aisle access, but obviously, they are nowhere near the standard of a Club Suite. However, I would argue they are better than BA’s old Club Seats. Iberia has great coverage of South America in its destination list. Aer Lingus now have a modern fleet with good seats and are expanding to a range of US destinations. 

Ian Romanis, Director of Retail and Customer Relationship Management at British Airways, said: “As we continue to improve our Companion Voucher proposition, we are thrilled to bring two of our sister airlines on board. Not only will this give Members more choice for the destinations we fly to, but it’ll open up new routes on which they can use their Companion Voucher, such as Manchester to New York or Barbados with Aer Lingus, and flights to Lima via Madrid with Iberia.”

Members can redeem Companion Vouchers on all routes, providing there is Reward Flight availability. This includes connecting journeys on multiple carriers, with or without a British Airways leg, and those that do not start in the UK.

Full terms and conditions apply. For more information, please visit www.ba.com/amex-companion