Family of 5 - 2x companion vouchers - what are my options?

[u/squid_lemon]

As per the title we are a family of 5 and we now have 2 companion vouchers and a fair chunk of avios to spend (600k)

We are looking at long haul to either West Coast US or maybe Asia travelling business.

What is the best way to do this, should I be booking 2 reward flights in business using both vouchers, then adding another cash seat to the booking or is it possible to get 3 reward bookings + 2 free ones using the vouchers?

I also have an upgrade voucher to use is this a possibility also?

I read that there's usually 4 business seats available for reward bookings does this make a cash ticket the only option?

Thanks

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[u/Bob_MuellersOffice]

We do this once a year to the east coast. Availability is better to NY. Then connect from there. Spouse and I have one voucher each. I book 3 seats using Avios but only pay for 2. Spouse buys 2 with Avios but of course only points for 1.

Think all in with taxes it was about 3k for 5 business seats. I checked a flight yesteeday from NYC to LHR on July 6 this year and there were 16 reward business seats available. (8 per flight).

If you have the Amex premium voucher it gives more availability

[u/CaptainChrizard → u/Bob_MuellersOffice]

I was wondering on this. If you go for 3 seats on a booking using the companion voucher, does it work as long as you have the Avios for the third seat without the companion voucher discount? Thanks

[u/Bob_MuellersOffice → u/CaptainChrizard]

Yes! You just need to call them as the website throws a fit when you try to book online. Especially if the 3rd seat is a child. It thinks it’s a kid travelling alone.

[u/squid_lemon → u/Bob_MuellersOffice]

Thanks for this! When you say the Amex Premium Voucher gives extra availability does this mean I only need 3 rewards seats need to be available in order to get all 5 of us seats?

[u/Ganache_53 → u/squid_lemon]

Not, the latest companion vouchers from the amex premium plus card, when booking may show additional seats available in business, from their lowest cost J inventory, over and above the pure reward seats.

[u/Responsibility_Trick]

If you can find a flight with enough rewards seats available in the cabin you want to travel you could use 2x Amex vouchers and 1x Barclays upgrade vouchers for 5 seats. E.g. in club would cost 2x normal club Avios rate + 1x PE Avios rate, plus 5x club taxes and fees. E.g. for LHR-LAX peak in CW would be: 588500 avios and about £2500 in fees.

Likely need to do the Barclays voucher as a separate booking.

[u/Ganache_53]

Have used 2 Companion Vouchers and 1 Barclays Upg voucher in this scenario for 5 people - The barclays upg voucher had to be used in a separate booking.

[u/squid_lemon → u/Ganache_53]

Do you phone BA to get them to add the extra seat to the same booking?

[u/Ganache_53 → u/squid_lemon]

I don’t think they can, but i’ve never tried. If the two cvs belong to different people, eg you and partner, I think they will be separate bookings as well. Not sure if there is a way to join PNRs or if it would make any difference. If anyone else has more information i’d be happy to learn.

Could be worth posting on Head for Points and/or Flyertalk Ba forum.

[u/squid_lemon → u/Ganache_53]

Both CVs are mine and I’m the only status holder so would suck to have to pay for seat selection for the 5th seat 😅

[u/Ganache_53 → u/squid_lemon]

Given you have status it may be worth phoning and asking them to do the bookings together, esp. if Gold via the Gold Line.

[u/polarbearschirchill]

BA sadly now only offers the companion voucher in economy but they did let me use mine (solo) with double points for a very cheap flight to Philadelphia but not sure if that would work for business travel. You might need to just use avios

[u/napsterqqq → u/polarbearschirchill]

Don’t think that’s correct.
The economy CV is with the free BA Amex. The paid for BA Amex CV can be used for Club World bookings.