Even more things you need to know about the BA Amex 2-4-1 voucher
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Yesterday I ran a long article entitled ‘Everything you need to know about the BA Amex 2-4-1 voucher’ which attracted a lot of feedback.
Looking at the comments during the day, it was quite clear that it was NOT everything you needed to know.
I updated the article during the day but if you read Head for Points by email or only saw the article in the morning then you would have missed the additions.
Here are some of the additional comments asked by readers, together with my replies:
Are there any easy ways of reducing the taxes payable?
Not easily, because you must start a 2-4-1 journey in the UK and thus incur Air Passenger Duty. There are two options though:
Start your trip in Jersey, because Jersey is outside the UK for APD purposes but inside the UK for 2-4-1 purposes. If you fly Jersey – Gatwick – Heathrow – XXXXX your taxes charge will be a lot lower. You cannot stopover in London for more than 24 hours or full APD is charged regardless.
Start your trip in Inverness. There is no APD out of Inverness.
There is also no APD out of Newquay but as BA does not fly there this does not help you. On a standard (non-241) Avios redemption, flying Newquay – Gatwick (Flybe) – XXXXX (BA) would avoid APD.
What small print do I need to know?
I added the following:
There are no circumstances under which you can ask BA to extend a 241 voucher. Don’t waste your time.
You cannot use ‘part pay with Avios’ in conjunction with a 2-4-1 voucher. Your booking must be ‘100% Avios’.
‘Gold Upgrade For Two’ vouchers (issued when you earn 2,500 tier points) can be used in conjunction with a 2-4-1 voucher.
You will not earn Avios or tier points on your redemption flight in line with standard Avios redemptions.
Your flights will not be cancelled if you cancel your BA Amex card after making your 2-4-1 booking.
You can fly a different class on the outbound to the return. However, both passengers must travel together in the same class. You cannot fly in First and book your companion in Club World if there is only 1 First reward seat available.
Can I travel with an infant or book without my baby being born yet?
Ye. For infant (under 2) bookings you pay 10% of the Avios and 10% of the taxes of an adult passenger. This can be booked online.
If your child is not yet born, book for the two adults and then call to add the baby when it has arrived and has a name! These rules apply to standard Avios redemptions as well.
If I cancel my BA Amex card after earning the voucher, is it lost?
No. It is not clear if you would lose the voucher if you booked a redemption and then cancelled it – would the voucher be reissued if you no longer had a BA Amex? A recent HFP reader who did this found his voucher was returned.
If I downgrade from the Premium Plus to the free card after earning my voucher, do I retain the 2-year expiry period?
Yes.
Can I change my class of travel if seats open up in a higher class after I’ve booked?
Yes. Standard Avios change fees apply of £35 per person, plus of course the additional Avios. You need to call BA to do this because of the 2-4-1 voucher being involved.
Conclusion
As I wrote yesterday, there are still two weeks left to apply for the British Airways American Express cards before the sign-up bonuses drop. If the idea of earning a companion voucher appeals, this is as good a time as any to apply.
The bonus on the free card is increased from 3,000 Avios to 9,000 Avios points. £1,000 of spending within three months is required. The application form is here.
The bonus on the Premium Plus is increased from 18,000 Avios to 25,000 Avios points. £3,000 of spending within three months is required. The application form is here.
If you have any further questions about the voucher, please ask them in the comments.
How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2024)
As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!
In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.
You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:
Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard
Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review
Barclaycard Avios Mastercard
5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review
There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:
British Airways American Express Premium Plus
25,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review
British Airways American Express
5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review
You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express
40,000 bonus points and a huge range of valuable benefits – for a fee Read our full review
Run your own business?
We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 12th May 2024, the Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa card is offering a bonus of 30,000 points, convertible into 30,000 Avios. You must have a Limited Company to apply. Click here to learn more and click here to apply.
Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa
Huge 30,000 points bonus until 12th May 2024 Read our full review
You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus.
British Airways Accelerating Business American Express
30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review
There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.
American Express Business Platinum
40,000 points sign-up bonus and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review
American Express Business Gold
20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review
Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.
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