The Barclaycard Avios Upgrade Voucher and the British Airways American Express Companion Voucher offer serious perks for Avios collectors, but they work in totally different ways. So, which one should you chase in 2025?
Let’s break it down.
In This Post
The Basics: What Do These Vouchers Do?
| Feature | Barclaycard Avios Upgrade Voucher | British Airways Amex 2-4-1 Voucher |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Lets you upgrade one return flight (or two one-ways) by one cabin class for the Avios price of the lower cabin. | Allows you to book two Avios reward seats for the Avios price of one, or get 50% off Avios cost for a solo traveller. |
| Card required | Barclaycard Avios Plus (£20/month) | BA Amex (£0) or BA Amex Premium Plus (£300/year) |
| Spending requirement | £10,000 per year | £15,000 per year |
| Voucher expiry | 2 years from issue | 1 year (BA Amex Free) / 2 years (BA Amex Premium Plus) |
| Who can use it? | Can be used for anyone | BA Amex cardholder must be on the booking |
Bonus Tip: The Upgrade Voucher can now also be used on Iberia and Aer Lingus flights booked through British Airways, which opens up new long-haul and short-haul options beyond BA metal. The Companion Voucher, by contrast, still only works on BA flights.
Value for Money: Which Voucher Saves You More?
| Scenario | Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher | BA Amex 2-4-1 Voucher |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Traveller | Upgrade one-way or return flights for fewer Avios. Great if you usually book alone. | 50% off the Avios required for a solo booking. More valuable if booking Business or First. |
| Travelling as a Pair | If both travellers have vouchers, you can both upgrade, but you still need enough Avios for two people. | Two travellers for the Avios price of one – a clear winner for couples or duos. |
| Long-haul Premium Flights | Best for bumping yourself up from Economy to Premium Economy or Premium Economy to Business. | Best for getting two Business or First Class seats for the Avios price of one. |
Flexibility: Which One Works Better for Your Travel Style?
| Factor | Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher | BA Amex 2-4-1 Voucher |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines available | British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus | British Airways only |
| One-way flights? | Yes – uses half a voucher | Yes – no restrictions |
| Open-jaw flights? | Yes, if both flights are in Avios zones | Yes, but with distance restrictions |
| Reward availability boost? | No – just uses standard Avios seats | Yes – unlocks extra reward seats in Business Class |
Did You Know? The BA Companion Voucher unlocks extra Club World (Business Class) availability, but the Upgrade Voucher doesn’t get this perk.
Taxes & Fees: Which One Hits Your Wallet Less?
| Expense | Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher | BA Amex 2-4-1 Voucher |
|---|---|---|
| Avios Required | Pays for lower-cabin Avios cost | Pays for only one seat’s Avios cost |
| Taxes & Fees | Based on upgraded cabin | Full price for both passengers |
| Best way to save | Use on flights where the Avios difference between cabins is small. | Use on Iberia or Aer Lingus routes for lower surcharges. |
Pro Tip: The Upgrade Voucher typically works out cheaper in taxes and fees because you’re only paying extra for one person. With the Companion Voucher, you’re on the hook for full surcharges for both passengers.
Real-Life Use Case: Which Voucher Wins?
Imagine you’re booking London to New York in Club World.
- With the Companion Voucher, you might pay 100,000 Avios + £1,000 in taxes for two people.
- With the Upgrade Voucher, you might pay 60,000 Avios + £450 to upgrade from Premium Economy to Business for one.
Both are solid options, but the Companion Voucher wins on sheer savings if you’re travelling as a pair, while the Upgrade Voucher is a gem for solo flyers who value comfort.
Other Things to Consider
- Household Account rules apply to the Companion Voucher; you can only book for people on your household account. There is no such restriction for the Upgrade Voucher.
- You still earn Avios and Tier Points when flying with either voucher, as long as you pay the required taxes and fees.
- Availability challenges: The Companion Voucher can be tricky to use on popular long-haul routes unless you book at least 355 days in advance. The Upgrade Voucher tends to offer more consistent availability, especially in Club Europe.
- You can’t combine both vouchers on one booking. It’s either Upgrade or Companion, not both.
The Verdict: Which Voucher Should You Aim For?
- Best for Solo Travellers → Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher
- Best for Couples or Duos → BA Amex 2-4-1 Voucher
- Best for Premium Cabin Travel → BA Amex 2-4-1 Voucher
- Best for Lower Taxes & Fees → Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher
Final Thoughts
The Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher is a low-effort, high-reward tool for solo travellers looking to stretch their Avios, especially when flying off-peak or short-haul in Europe. Meanwhile, the BA Amex Companion Voucher unlocks serious value for long-haul Business and First bookings when travelling as a pair.
The sweet spot? Hold both cards and use each voucher to your advantage depending on the trip.
