Amex Companion Voucher

[LM]

Hi There

I have an Amex companion voucher (for the free card – have recently upgraded to the premium card) that I’d like to use before it expires in July.

I’ve been looking at flights to St Lucia in June. Using the voucher I get offered a range of different cash + Avios combinations for two economy flights, including 17,500 Avios + £1,240.

However, I can book the exact same flights without using the voucher for 12,800 Avios + £1,284. On that basis, I cannot see what value the voucher is adding – it certainly doesn’t seem to be giving me “2-4-1”. If that were the case, wouldn’t I expect to see the price of the flights without using the voucher double the cost of the flights with the voucher? Am I missing something??

[Scott]

Reward pricing is not related to cash fares, the range of different cash + Avios options will be the same, irrespective of the cash fare.

The 241 voucher means 2 people travel for the Avios of one person (but you still have to pay cash element for both passengers.)

It may be that the route/dates you’re looking at are not a good use of Avios.

It’s generally accepted that you will usually struggle to get value from the free card’s 241 Economy voucher (unless e.g. you must travel on dates when cash prices are sky high.)

[NorthernLass]

The “free” part refers to the avios component only. The different avios/cash options you get can vary in value, but surely for St Lucia in economy the best option is going to be paying 60k avios (if off-peak), plus about £300 for 2 pax?

But looking at a dummy booking for late June, I’m not seeing an option remotely like what you’re saying you’ve been quoted. Are you eligible for RFS fares? Otherwise it could be a pricing glitch, which has been reported a few times recently.

For one person, one way, I’m seeing:

30k avios plus £75

More pricing options
You can select when paying
23000 Avios + £ 150.00
16250 Avios + £ 225.00
11500 Avios + £ 250.00
8500 Avios + £ 285.00
5700 Avios + £ 310.00

Using the voucher will double the cash element.

[Garethgerry]

Using 241 highest avios least cash is best value as you double the cash.

At 1p per avios 30k plus £75 , will cost equivalent of £450 for the two of you. £225 each good value

[NorthernLass]

So using the voucher, for 2 pax in economy, off-peak, these are the pricing options I’m getting:

60k avios plus £300

More pricing options
You can select when paying
46000 Avios + £ 600.00
32500 Avios + £ 900.00
23000 Avios + £ 1,000.00
17000 Avios + £ 1,140.00
11400 Avios + £ 1,240.00

Cash price for June is coming in about £1250 for 2 people, so only the first couple of options offer decent value. Obviously if OP was travelling at high season, cash prices would be a lot higher.