Even more things you need to know about the BA Amex 2-4-1 voucher

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Yesterday I ran a long article entitled ‘Everything you need to know about the BA Amex 2-4-1 voucher’ which attracted a lot of feedback.

Looking at the comments during the day, it was quite clear that it was NOT everything you needed to know.

I updated the article during the day but if you read Head for Points by email or only saw the article in the morning then you would have missed the additions.

BA Premium Plus American Express card BAPP

Here are some of the additional comments asked by readers, together with my replies:

Are there any easy ways of reducing the taxes payable?

Not easily, because you must start a 2-4-1 journey in the UK and thus incur Air Passenger Duty. There are two options though:

Start your trip in Jersey, because Jersey is outside the UK for APD purposes but inside the UK for 2-4-1 purposes. If you fly Jersey – Gatwick – Heathrow – XXXXX your taxes charge will be a lot lower. You cannot stopover in London for more than 24 hours or full APD is charged regardless.

Start your trip in Inverness. There is no APD out of Inverness.

There is also no APD out of Newquay but as BA does not fly there this does not help you. On a standard (non-241) Avios redemption, flying Newquay – Gatwick (Flybe) – XXXXX (BA) would avoid APD.

What small print do I need to know?

I added the following:

There are no circumstances under which you can ask BA to extend a 241 voucher. Don’t waste your time.

You cannot use ‘part pay with Avios’ in conjunction with a 2-4-1 voucher. Your booking must be ‘100% Avios’.

‘Gold Upgrade For Two’ vouchers (issued when you earn 2,500 tier points) can be used in conjunction with a 2-4-1 voucher.

You will not earn Avios or tier points on your redemption flight in line with standard Avios redemptions.

Your flights will not be cancelled if you cancel your BA Amex card after making your 2-4-1 booking.

You can fly a different class on the outbound to the return. However, both passengers must travel together in the same class. You cannot fly in First and book your companion in Club World if there is only 1 First reward seat available.

BA Amex 241 companion voucher

Can I travel with an infant or book without my baby being born yet?

Ye. For infant (under 2) bookings you pay 10% of the Avios and 10% of the taxes of an adult passenger. This can be booked online.

If your child is not yet born, book for the two adults and then call to add the baby when it has arrived and has a name! These rules apply to standard Avios redemptions as well.

If I cancel my BA Amex card after earning the voucher, is it lost?

No. It is not clear if you would lose the voucher if you booked a redemption and then cancelled it – would the voucher be reissued if you no longer had a BA Amex? A recent HFP reader who did this found his voucher was returned.

If I downgrade from the Premium Plus to the free card after earning my voucher, do I retain the 2-year expiry period?

Yes.

Can I change my class of travel if seats open up in a higher class after I’ve booked?

Yes. Standard Avios change fees apply of £35 per person, plus of course the additional Avios. You need to call BA to do this because of the 2-4-1 voucher being involved.

Conclusion

As I wrote yesterday, there are still two weeks left to apply for the British Airways American Express cards before the sign-up bonuses drop. If the idea of earning a companion voucher appeals, this is as good a time as any to apply.

The bonus on the free card is increased from 3,000 Avios to 9,000 Avios points. £1,000 of spending within three months is required. The application form is here.

The bonus on the Premium Plus is increased from 18,000 Avios to 25,000 Avios points. £3,000 of spending within three months is required. The application form is here.

If you have any further questions about the voucher, please ask them in the comments.

How to earn Avios points from UK credit cards

How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (December 2021)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways BA Amex American Express card

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up, no annual fee and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending ….. Read our full review

British Airways BA Premium Plus American Express Amex credit card

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the UK’s most valuable credit card perk – the 2-4-1 companion voucher Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points, such as:

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital On Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios:

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus: