Advice on getting the best value out of companion vouchers

[evanss45]

Hi

I’m looking to book flights from Heathrow to Orlando (MCO) for 3 people when the flights become available.

There’s are 3 of us flying ( 2 adults and a 14yr old).

I have 2 companion vouchers and 150,000 airmiles. Ideally I’d like the 3 of us to fly premium.

To get the most value out of the vouchers and/or airmiles what’s the best approach?

Ie paying for 3 tickets in economy and then upgrade with the vouchers and airmiles?

Or use one of the vouchers as a 241 and then use airmiles to do the rest?

It’s my first time booking with these perks and I don’t want to fall into a newbie trap and waste them.

Thanks in anticipation.

Simon

[AL]

I think that this becomes a case of ‘it depends’, based on your individual circumstances. You might find that the fact that companion vouchers have expiry dates (two years after date of issue, from memory) pushes you down that route. If you have dates, though, it might be easier to work out, since then we can help you compare the cash cost versus the effective cost as reward flights.

[evanss45]

Hi. One of my companion vouchers expires the month of my outgoing flight so I’ll definitely have to use that. The other will have another 1 year left. As it’s in peak season it’ll looks like it’ll want 50,000 airmiles for an economy seat.

[AL]

100,000 miles and a companion voucher plus, probably, about £5/600ish in taxes isn’t too bad, assuming that the fare element of the cash price is about £1000 for all three of you. Then again, with 150,000 points, spending 2/3 might be more than you want to.

Do you want to upgrade to Premium, or are you only looking how to get in to Economy? If you’re wanting to upgrade, then using voucher/points to upgrade would set you back about 25,000 each (from memory), on top of the cash price, plus taxes.

There is also a VS miles offer on at the moment – £15/1000 points plus £15 transaction fee.