Spend enough on a specialist airline credit card and you can earn a companion voucher to use on British Airways or Virgin Atlantic flights. This article looks at four cards that offer them, and what it takes to earn one.

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What is a companion voucher?

A companion voucher lets you bring a second person on a reward flight without spending additional points or miles, though taxes, fees and carrier charges are still payable for both travellers. In the UK, companion vouchers are typically earned by hitting an annual spending threshold on an airline credit card, and two UK airlines offer them: British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

How to earn a companion voucher: at a glance

British Airways companion vouchers

Both British Airways Amex cards use the same £15,000 annual spending threshold, so the difference between them lies in the voucher's validity period and the card's other terms rather than in how hard it is to earn.

Vouchers are redeemable on British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus reward flights, in any cabin. Alternatively, a solo traveller can use the voucher for a 50% discount on the Avios price of their own flight. Taxes, fees and carrier charges apply per person either way.

• No annual fee

• Earns 1 Avios per £1 spent

• Welcome bonus: 5,000 Avios for spending £2,000 in the first three months (temporarily 10,000 Avios until 6 October 2026)

• Companion Voucher valid for 12 months from issue

Representative example: Representative 29.1% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

• £300 annual fee

• Until 7 October 2026: earns 3 Avios per £1 spent directly with British Airways or BA Holidays, and 1.5 Avios per £1 elsewhere

• From 7 October 2026: both rates change to a flat 1.25 Avios per £1, and the BA-specific bonus rate is removed

• Welcome bonus: 30,000 Avios for spending £6,000 in the first three months (temporarily 60,000 Avios until 6 October 2026)

• Companion Voucher valid for 24 months from issue

• Access to additional Club World (business class) reward seats when booking with a Companion Voucher, subject to availability — not available on the free card

• Eligibility includes a minimum income of £35,000, and the two BA Amex cards can't be held at the same time

Representative example: Representative 135.7% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) and a £300 annual fee.

Both cards charge a 2.99% fee on non-sterling transactions. New cardmembers only qualify for a welcome bonus if they haven't held a personal British Airways American Express card in the previous 24 months.

Virgin Atlantic companion vouchers

Both Virgin Atlantic cards offer the same reward voucher on identical terms — the only difference is the spending threshold: £20,000 on the free Reward card, or £10,000 on the £160-a-year Reward+ card.

The voucher can be used for either a round-trip companion reward seat or a round-trip cabin upgrade, on Virgin Atlantic operated flights. Unlike the BA Companion Voucher, it's capped at a points value that depends on Flying Club tier status at the time of redemption: up to 75,000 Virgin Points for Red tier members, or up to 150,000 for Silver and Gold members. If the reward seat or upgrade costs more than the voucher's value, the difference can be topped up with additional points.

Vouchers are valid for 24 months from issue — the outbound flight must be taken within that window, though the return can fall afterwards. Only one voucher can be earned every 12 months, resetting on each account anniversary. Bookings must be made by phone with the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and upgrades can't be applied to Economy Light bookings. Taxes, fees and surcharges remain payable.

• No annual fee

• Earns 0.75 Virgin Points per £1 on everyday purchases, 1.5 per £1 spent directly with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays

• Welcome bonus: 3,000 Virgin Points on a first card purchase within 90 days — no minimum spend

• Reward voucher earned at £20,000 of annual spend

Representative example: Representative 26.9% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 26.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

• £160 annual fee

• Earns 1.5 Virgin Points per £1 on everyday purchases, 3 per £1 spent directly with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays

• Welcome bonus: 18,000 Virgin Points on a first card purchase within 90 days — no minimum spend

• Reward voucher earned at £10,000 of annual spend

Representative example: Representative 69.7% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 26.9% p.a. (variable) and a £160 annual fee.

On both Virgin cards, points earning is capped monthly by credit limit — with a £5,000 limit, points are earned on the first £5,000 of purchases each month, resetting at each statement date. The cap doesn't apply to bonus points. Qualifying spend toward the voucher excludes cash withdrawals, currency purchases and gambling. Both cards are issued by Nationwide Building Society, trading as Virgin Money.

How to redeem a companion voucher

Redeeming a companion voucher requires enough Avios or Virgin Points in your account to cover the reward flight itself — the voucher covers the second passenger's points, or the upgrade, not the underlying booking.

Both airlines publish redemption information showing how many points are needed for specific destinations. Points required vary by season, route and demand.

The value of a point depends heavily on how it's redeemed and can vary widely. Assuming around 1p per Avios or Virgin Point is a reasonable starting point for comparison, though the value actually achieved will differ — redemptions on longer or premium-cabin flights typically deliver more value per point than short economy trips.

Reward seat availability is limited, particularly on popular routes and during school holidays, so more options tend to be available further ahead of travel. A voucher that expires unused has no value, which is worth weighing against the spending required to earn one.

For a wider comparison of airline credit cards, see our best airline credit cards guide.

Details correct as of 10 September 2026. Terms, rates and features are subject to change — always verify current details before applying. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice.