Maximizing the Benefits of the British Airways Travel Together Ticket

Airline credit cards usually provide basic perks such as bonus miles on flight purchases, complimentary checked bags, and priority boarding. However, one of the most significant advantages any airline credit card can offer is a companion ticket, which can effectively halve your travel expenses.

With its impressive welcome bonuses, earning potential, and airfare discounts, the British Airways Visa Signature® Card is widely recognized as one of the top foreign airline credit cards available in the U.S., especially given British Airways' extensive route options. Additionally, it includes a highly desirable companion travel benefit: the Travel Together Ticket.

The guidelines for redeeming this perk have recently been enhanced, making it easier to use and more valuable than ever before.

Here are the specifics of this companion offer and tips on how to make the most of it.

How to Obtain the British Airways Travel Together Ticket

Holders of the U.S.-issued British Airways Visa Signature® Card who spend $30,000 within a calendar year can earn a Travel Together Ticket, which will be credited within 4-6 weeks. This voucher is valid for outbound travel for up to 24 months from the issue date (the return journey can occur after this period).

The British Airways Visa Signature Card grants 85,000 Avios after making $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. Cardholders enjoy exclusive benefits when flying with British Airways, including a 10% discount on flights originating in the U.S., up to $600 in annual statement credits for award flight taxes and fees, and 3 Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Level. The annual fee is $95.

Only the primary cardholder with a registered address in the U.S. is qualified to earn the Travel Together Ticket; additional cardholders do not qualify. Only one voucher can be earned per calendar year, regardless of whether the cardholder spends over $30,000.

Guidelines for Using The Travel Together Ticket

The Travel Together Ticket has several conditions that are important to consider when it's time to redeem it, some of which are favorable while others are not.

Previously, these vouchers were limited to award bookings made with British Airways Avios and flights operated by British Airways. However, this restriction has recently been eased, allowing redemption on flights operated by Aer Lingus and Iberia. Remember, you must still book your flight(s) through the British Airways Executive Club.

The Travel Together Ticket is distinct from other companion tickets, which typically function as a two-for-one paid offer. In this case, you're getting a two-for-one award redemption but are still accountable for taxes and any carrier-imposed fees on your ticket (which can be quite significant). This also requires you to secure two award seats on the same itinerary within the same cabin. If you plan to fly in first class, finding two available award seats on the same flight can be quite challenging.

For those traveling alone, you can redeem it for 50% of the Avios needed for one passenger, making it a useful benefit if you prefer solo travel and want to conserve Avios.

Initially, the voucher was only valid for round-trip itineraries starting in the United States. However, this restriction has recently been lifted, allowing voucher holders to begin their journeys from anywhere in the world that British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus operates (as long as Avios are available).

Your companion must be booked in the same cabin on your itinerary (unless you opt for solo travel). Therefore, if you book a business-class award for yourself, you must also find a second seat for your companion on the same itinerary. Stopovers are permitted.

While the terms are not clearly defined, it's advisable to keep your card active and in good standing when you wish to utilize your Travel Together Ticket.

When It’s Beneficial to Use the Travel Together Ticket

Now we arrive at the crucial question: Is it worthwhile to use the Travel Together Ticket? The answer hinges on how you intend to redeem it.

British Airways awards are infamous for their high taxes and surcharges on flights through London. Although this typically renders economy awards less valuable, it may still be worth paying less than $2,000 per person to fly in business or first class as part of an award ticket, especially when compared to the cash fare, which can run into the thousands, particularly with current premium fares across the Atlantic.

BA introduced a feature known as Reward Flight Saver that allows you to use more Avios to lower the taxes and surcharges on Avios redemptions.

British Airways generally offers much better award availability between the U.S. and Europe compared to what U.S. and other European airlines provide. So, if you're looking to book an award, your chances are favorable.

Another significant advantage is that British Airways has maintained an award chart, giving you confidence in how many Avios you will need for any given day — no more unpredictable pricing of 400,000 points per flight with this program.

Next, let's examine four scenarios to compare the cost of using the Travel Together Ticket against purchasing airfare, to assess if this represents a good deal.

To simplify our analysis, we'll focus on a single route from Atlanta (ATL) to London Heathrow (LHR) during a specific set of dates in November, as award availability was open across all four cabins offered by BA on these flights (these are off-peak dates). The taxes and fees will be typical examples of what you can expect to pay, for both couples traveling together and solo travelers, considering the ticket can also be redeemed for individual use.

Starting with economy class, a round-trip award for two people on this route using the lowest surcharge Reward Flight Saver option would cost 120,000 Avios along with £300 ($393) in taxes and fees.

Using the Travel Together Ticket, you would pay 60,000 Avios plus $393 for two tickets. This is because you only pay the Avios for one passenger while covering the fees, taxes, and surcharges for both. In contrast, the regular economy fare on the same dates is approximately $1,000 per person for nonstop flights, making this an excellent way to utilize Avios and save a substantial amount.

For solo travelers, redeeming the Travel Together Ticket would cost 30,000 Avios plus $196 in fees, taxes, and surcharges, resulting in savings of over $800 compared to cash fares for the same flight.

Now, let’s look at premium economy. Here's a sample award from the same week that would amount to 190,000 Avios and £660 ($864) for two passengers.

For the same travel dates, a standard fare would cost $1,813 per person, totaling $3,626 for two travelers. However, with a Travel Together Ticket for two, you'd only pay 95,000 Avios and $864, saving you thousands compared to the cash fare.

Solo travelers can redeem 45,000 Avios and pay $432 in taxes and surcharges, which is another fantastic way to save significantly on the $1,813 cash fare.

In business class, British Airways charges 360,000 Avios along with £900 ($1,179) in taxes and surcharges for two passengers using the Reward Flight Saver rate.

Using the Travel Together Ticket, you benefit from a 50% reduction in Avios, meaning you would still need to pay a hefty 180,000 Avios along with the full co-payment of $1,179. However, considering cash fares for business class on these dates approach $4,000 for a round trip, utilizing the voucher still results in substantial savings.

For those traveling solo, redeeming just 90,000 Avios and paying less than $600 in taxes and fees is an excellent bargain compared to the $4,000 cash fare for a ticket.

First class does not offer Reward Flight Savers, meaning you'll need slightly more Avios than the business class rates mentioned above, but you must cover the full fees, taxes, and surcharges. For two travelers using a Travel Together Ticket, this equates to 170,000 Avios for a round trip and an astonishing £3,263 ($4,279) in costs.

While this offers a reasonable saving on cash fares of nearly $6,000 per person, the high surcharges required for first-class redemption make using the voucher for business class a far superior option.

Ways to accumulate Avios

If you're looking to utilize a Travel Together Ticket but find your British Airways Avios balance in your Executive Club account lacking, you're in luck. British Airways partners with several major rewards programs, including Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, making it one of the most accessible currencies to earn.

Points can be transferred from Chase, Bilt, and Amex at a 1:1 ratio, along with potential transfer bonuses of up to 40%. Additionally, Marriott points can be converted into Avios, and you can receive a bonus of 5,000 Avios for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer.

Here are some cards that currently provide attractive welcome bonuses, which you can readily convert to Avios:

• American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 within the first six months of holding the card. Additionally, get 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant expenses (up to $100) during the first six months. Terms apply.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 within the first six months. Also, check if you’re targeted for a welcome offer of up to 125,000 points via CardMatch (offer subject to change). Terms apply.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, plus receive a $300 statement credit for Chase Travel℠ purchases in the first year.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first three months from account opening.

Summary

The British Airways Signature Card Together Ticket can lead to significant savings on flights with British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus, allowing two passengers to travel together in any available cabin while only paying Avios for one. However, the spending requirement to earn this benefit is substantial. The Reward Flight Saver option enables passengers to reduce the well-known BA surcharges by using more Avios, making this voucher a valuable benefit for economy, premium economy, and business class flights.

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