Companion voucher

Hi wonder if I could get some assistance from ‘those of you in the know’ ?

I have got a companion voucher sitting in my FC account. I have tried several times to get through on the phone just to discuss with them the new rules and what I need to do in order to redeem this voucher.

I am really hoping things improve for 2021 and I can go to a Palm Springs in March (I’m a tennis fan).
Normally I would try to book to z fares to SFO and then fly down in PS. I’ve got 125k miles in my account & I’m a FC silver member.

If I’m reading the new FC rules correctly, it seems I could book one UC fare (cash) but then how do I use the companion voucher? Alternatively, if I use my miles to get the first UC fare, again how does the companion fare work.

Sorry if I’m sounding a bit thick on this but I’m just confused how the voucher works in relation to the other UC fare I need to buy.

Any help would be appreciated, so I do not sound too much like an idiot when I finally get thru to the FC.

Thanks, Hev

I'm sure wiser people will comment but my understanding is you can now book one ticket in UC as either miles or cash, your choice and then for companion it's basically a reward seat that has a zero mile cost. It does require G availability in order to use it and obviously if you want to use miles for the first that will need additional G availability too. Finally again (probably obvious) you are liable for the taxes and surcharges on the companion fare.

So short summary version, 2 options: Z (J, C, D, I) + G (no miles) or G + G (one lot of miles)

I'm sure wiser people will comment but my understanding is you can now book one ticket in UC as either miles or cash, your choice and then for companion it's basically a reward seat that has a zero mile cost. It does require G availability in order to use it and obviously if you want to use miles for the first that will need additional G availability too. Finally again (probably obvious) you are liable for the taxes and surcharges on the companion fare.

So short summary version, 2 options: Z (J, C, D, I) + G (no miles) or G + G (one lot of miles)

Great summary --- why can't it be this clear on the website

I'm sure wiser people will comment but my understanding is you can now book one ticket in UC as either miles or cash, your choice and then for companion it's basically a reward seat that has a zero mile cost. It does require G availability in order to use it and obviously if you want to use miles for the first that will need additional G availability too. Finally again (probably obvious) you are liable for the taxes and surcharges on the companion fare.

So short summary version, 2 options: Z (J, C, D, I) + G (no miles) or G + G (one lot of miles)

Very helpful, thank you

I'm so sorry for sounding thick but it this possible....

I book one z fare paid with cash and then use my companion reward voucher for the second seat and pay just the taxes on the second seat.

I am a red member so would i need to pay 57.5k miles for the companion seat plus the taxes?

I have spoken to 2 VA agents who tell me this is not possible and that I have to pay for the first seat with miles and cannot pay cash.

Thanks.

Ali.

Yes, that is correct (as I understand it).

So in your case you would book a Z fare with cash and then you would need a G fare for the companion and it would cost 57.5k miles (I'm assuming you've looked that bit up) plus taxes.

Thanks for the quick reply!

I'm on hold again trying to get through to VA in hopes of getting a different agent!

Ali.