The Barclaycard Avios Upgrade Voucher and the British Airways American Express Companion Voucher offer serious perks for Avios collectors, but they work differently. So, which one should you chase? 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 |
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 | British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus |
| One-way flights? | Yes, but you use half a voucher per one-way flight. | 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. |
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. |
The Verdict: Which Voucher Should You Aim For?
- Best for Solo Travellers → Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher (Upgrades a return flight for fewer Avios)
- Best for Couples or Duos → BA Amex 2-4-1 Voucher (Two reward seats for the price of one is unbeatable)
- Best for Premium Cabin Travel → BA Amex 2-4-1 Voucher (Maximises Avios savings in Business and First)
- Best for Lower Taxes & Fees → Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher (Since you only pay the surcharges for one person, upgrading can be cheaper)
Final Thoughts
The Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher is an excellent tool if you travel solo or want to stretch Avios easily. But if you regularly travel as a pair and enjoy the biggest Avios savings, the British Airways Amex 2-4-1 Voucher is the clear winner—especially for long-haul Business and First-class travel. Ideally? Hold both cards and use the vouchers strategically to get maximum value.
You can sign up to the Barclaycard Avios plus card here:
You can sign up to the British airways American Express here:
