Companion ticket - any value?

I am a very heavy user (and occasional repayer!) of the VS mastercard. I usually redeem for UC flights. I can't for the life of me see how I am going to use the Companion reward Voucher after the 15k spend due to the restricted classes it applies to. Paying for 2 * Z class would always seem to be cheaper than paying the higher fare class and getting the 'free' companion ticket. I could, of course, be missing something very obvious!

How about VS copying BA Amex offer and giving you a free companion reward to go with a reward flight - that would be nice.

Have to say, VS mastercard has been great and MBNA service knocks AMEX into a cocked hat..............

[Nottingham Nick]

I worked out the maths a few weeks ago and found that for me the companion ticket was worth having.

2 return trips LHR - MIA in economy in May /June worked out saving me about £60 by using the free companion compared to booking two seats on the VS website.

The downside is that my companion (wife) doesn't earn any FC points.

I was assured that my full price ticket would earn points - unless anyone here knows different!

Nick

If looking at UC Nick, it looks like the huge differential in pricing between the UC fare codes might eliminate any benefit of the companion ticket - I'll let you do the maths though!

[RichardMannion]

I raised the suggestion back in November about making it a little bit more flexible in regards to applicable booking classes. Watch this space

As it stands, it does have some value. I used my Gold renewal certificate for our upcoming family holiday to MCO/LAS - A L Class fare which with a free T Class companion came to about £650 which was slightly cheaper than buying 2 MpM fares. Difference is that I will earn 150% mileage as the L class revenue is in my name, and if my sibling decides to be a monkey, I can always use miles to upgrade to Premium Economy as L Class is a qualifying class for points upgrade.

Thanks,
Richard

[Nottingham Nick]

Booked a trip to MIA today in May / June using the Credit Card companion.

Full price ticket £628.50
Companion £ 43.50

Total £672 or £336 each.
Lowest mileage earning fare on same planes - £493.30.

Result - I am well happy with the companion fare - sorry I can't comment about PE / UC fares using the companion voucher.

Nick

i have just found out that the Virgin card is not identical to the BA amex at all. In fact, it's a real pain in the ass. Where as with BA you use your miles to redeem a ticket and you use your companion voucher for the other seat, it's a joke with Virgin. The "benefits" of the companion voucher are negligible unless you are in economy. A full W or J is always going to be almost always more than getting 2 K class fares (or maybe 100 quid difference!) - After spending 15K on a card it seems a pretty rough deal. I can get airmiles from other cards but I opted for this one for a little bit more.

And the T and C's are totally unclear and hidden as well!

[Pete]

I have to admit I've always been a bit critical of the companion tickets (by whatever method they are obtained), since the restrictions on the first paid-for seat seem to negate any savings (and mileage earning), especially in the premium cabins.

Mind you, I don't remember reading anywhere that the VS Mastercard was supposed to be identical to the BA Amex. Did I miss something? In fact, I thought that was the point of minel's original post; BA offered that free companion flight with a reward, but VS didn't.

Pix

[Nottingham Nick]

Having defended the companion ticket for value in my own (economy) circumstances, I have to totally agree that the T&C are well hidden.
So well hidden in fact that I have never managed to see them. My 'voucher' appeared on my account on the internet and I have used it. I will wait to see if the paper version of my statement includes the T&C of the voucher.

Nick

I've used the companion ticket (for Gold renewal) for LHR-JNB which is not too expensive in J (around 3K). Well, plenty of cash, but rather less than the US routes where LHR-LAX/SFO are north of £6K! The miles and tier points are the main benefit, plus the fact that VS seem happy to release seats for this benefit to Gold FC members.

BC

Nick - couldn't agree with you more. It's a total mystery when it comes to Ts and Cs on the virgin card. And, I fear, after willfully spending 15K to get my voucher I won't actually ever be able to use it for an UC flight because I'll always be better looking for a K class or Z class fare for me and the wife.

Could someone kindly confirm for me the fare codes that can be used in PE and UC with Companion tickets?

thanks

great site

W & S for PE, J for UC.

BC