Downgrade or set aside?

[Aston100]

Hi, very close to triggering a companion voucher.
I’d like to have the option to use the companion voucher for flying out at end of July 2025.

1. Do I need to trigger the voucher at end of July this year? I presume the inbound can safely be booked a few weeks later (for return in August 2025)
2. Should I just put the BAPP card away for 4 months, and gain nothing from 4 months worth of fees, or is there a way to downgrade and upgrade again nearer the time? not sure it sounds like it is worth the hassle.

Thanks.

[SteveJ]

Do not downgrade. Absolutely no guarantee you’ll be able to upgrade later when you want.

[polly]

In the drawer for 4 months, no brainer.

[NorthernLass]

Agree – it’s not worth the hassle and uncertainty for 4 months of fees. We’ve kept one BAPP continuously for 12 years now as I always had a nagging suspicion that it might not always be so easy to get it back and it does look to be going that way now!

[Aston100]

OK so put the card away for 3-4 months – got it.
And regarding the first question: if I want to fly in the last week of July 2025, and return late August 2025, do I need to trigger the voucher at the end of July, or the end of August?

Thanks.

[Biki]

The voucher just needs to be in date for the outbound. But obviously the later you leave it the more wiggle room you have if required dates change, or they stop flying on the day you intended etc.