NEW: BA Amex 2-4-1 vouchers now extendable for three months in certain scenarios
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Seven weeks ago, but not openly announced, British Airways made a change to the terms and conditions of the British Airways American Express 2-4-1 companion voucher.
These changes allow for the annual vouchers issued with the British Airways American Express cards to be extended in very specific circumstances.
I’m in two minds about whether this is a good idea – after all, isn’t two years enough on a Premium Plus voucher? – but it is a very narrow path to getting an extension approved.
As a reminder, you earn a companion voucher after spending £15,000 in a card year (this is the new figure from 1st November 2024) on your British Airways American Express card:
- the free card generates a voucher valid for one year, worth 50% off an Avios redemption on BA in Economy for one person or a ‘2 for 1’ Avios redemption on BA in Economy for two people (full taxes and charges must be paid)
- the Premium Plus card generates a voucher valid for two years, worth 50% off an Avios redemption on BA in any cabin for one person or a ‘2 for 1’ Avios redemption on BA in any cabin for two people (full taxes and charges must be paid)
The outbound flight must be flown by the voucher expiry date, although the return flight can be later.
What has changed with the companion voucher terms?
Here is the new wording, which you can confirm on this page of ba.com:
27. Companion Vouchers may be extended subject to the terms of this clause 27.
Extension requests for Companion Vouchers will be evaluated on a case by case basis and will be subject to relevant documentation having been provided by the Cardmember. Each case will be decided at British Airways’ sole discretion and British Airways’ decision will be final.
Extensions for the use of Companion Vouchers for up to three months’ may be granted for the following circumstances only:
- Where a flight is cancelled by the airline;
- Serious illness (where a GP or medical professional letter providing supporting evidence of illness is provided);
- High-risk pregnancy (when a GP or medical professional letter is provided);
- Bereavement of an immediate family member (where supporting documentation is provided);
- Career or job exemptions (where individuals may not be able to travel due to extenuating circumstances) for example, medical professionals and the Armed Forces (where supporting documentation is provided);
- Carer responsibilities (where supporting documentation is provided) and subject to medical sign-off from a medical professional;
- Where an immediate family member is unable to travel due to illness (and where a GP letter or letter from a medical professional is provided);
- Natural disaster and/or significant socio-political conflict impacting the Cardmember’s and Companion Voucher’s travel itinerary.
This seems, in general, to be a fair list, although the last one could be open to abuse from people who will claim they were planning to book (but hadn’t) to visit a certain country which is now looking unsafe.
British Airways has been known to give occasional extensions in the past on compassionate grounds so formalising the rules is helpful, although a three month extension is not necessarily going to get you far in some of the situations above.
You can see the official wording on ba.com here.
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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2025)
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
Get 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
30,000 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.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express
80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large 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, and the standard card is FREE. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.
Capital on Tap Visa
NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review
Capital on Tap Pro Visa
10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review
There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:
British Airways American Express Accelerating Business
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
50,000 points when you sign-up 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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