British Airways Companion Award eVoucher Now Applies to Solo Travellers

There has been a recent change to the British Airways Companion Award eVoucher, which is earned as a benefit on the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card upon spending $30,000 (CAD) in a calendar year.

Previously, the voucher was only applicable to British Airways Executive Club redemptions made for at least two passengers; however, as found buried in the card’s terms and conditions, any vouchers earned as of July 4, 2023 may now also be used for individuals.

British Airways Companion Award eVoucher Now Applies to Solo Travellers

The British Airways Companion Award eVoucher is a benefit offered on the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card. As a reminder, cardholders earn a voucher after spending $30,000 (CAD) on the card in a calendar year.

Previously, the Companion Award eVoucher could only be used to cover the cost in Avios of a second passenger’s ticket. 

For example, if it costs 160,000 Avios to fly round-trip in business class between Toronto and London for one passenger, the Companion Award eVoucher would keep the cost at 160,000 Avios for two passengers.

In total, you’d pay 160,000 Avios for two passengers with the eVoucher applied; however, you’d still need to pay the full amount of taxes, fees, and surcharges for both passengers, which is around $700 (CAD) per person.

Historically, you could only use the Companion Award eVoucher when travelling as a duo, which meant that you’d have to find award availability for two passengers on the same flight. Depending on the routing, this could be challenging, although it’s worth noting British Airways consistently releases multiple award seats on all flights.

However, as of July 4, 2023, any British Airways Companion Award eVouchers earned on the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card may also be used for individual travellers. If you choose to redeem the voucher this way, the cost in Avios is reduced by 50%, which could be worthwhile in some situations, as we’ll explore below.

In a sense, using an eVoucher this way is similar to using an Aeroplan Priority Reward, in that the total cost in points is reduced by 50%. However, British Airways Companion Award eVouchers can apply to any class of service, regardless of your level of elite status.

(Unfortunately, British Airways doesn’t currently offer its First Class cabin on any Canadian routes, so…