When you're travelling with someone, you're probably looking for ways to save on airfare, especially if you're springing for restaurants and hotels during your trip. A companion voucher is a valuable credit card perk that can save you hundreds of dollars on a flight.
The best credit card companion vouchers give a full companion fare, while others only give discounts. Since vouchers have very different requirements and limitations, we'll help you make sense of your options so there are no surprises when you book your flight. Plus, we'll show you the top credit cards offering competitive companion vouchers.
Key Takeaways
- Be prepared to pay premium credit card fees in order to get the best companion vouchers.
- Some cards provide companion vouchers as welcome perks.
- You’ll have to meet the spending requirements every year to continue receiving the annual companion voucher.
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What are companion vouchers?
A companion voucher is a rare but very valuable perk that some premium credit cards offer. If you meet your credit card's requirements (like flying a specific number of miles with an airline or charging a certain amount to your credit card in a year), you'll get one.
A companion voucher is a free or greatly reduced fare you can get when booking a flight for yourself and another person. You might see companion vouchers called companion passes or companion fares. They're all the same thing.
How companion vouchers work
Airlines and loyalty reward programs that offer companion vouchers set their own requirements, so there are different ways to earn them, and there are typically differences in how you can use them. Therefore, it's very important to read the fine print.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that some companion vouchers give you a completely free fare for your guest, but others only give you a discount. You'll still be expected to pay taxes, fees, and other travel charges.
Generally, to use a companion voucher, you'll have to book your trip using the credit card that has the voucher or log in to the loyalty program that awarded it. Sometimes, you have to book the flight directly through their travel platform.
Again, each program or credit card varies slightly, but you'll usually log in to your account, search for flights, and select the option to use your companion fare. When you go to check out, you'll see the costs that aren't covered by the voucher.
Most companion vouchers are only issued once a year, and they don't carry over to the following year if you don't get around to using them.
Best credit cards that offer companion vouchers
| Credit Card | Requirements to earn voucher | What you get | Locations | Features and limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card | Primary cardholder must spend at least $25,000 in the last 12 months | * Round-trip economy fare for your companion starting at $99 plus taxes and fees | * Within Canada and US for $99 base fare * Within Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean for $299 base fare * Within South America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa for $499 base fare * Within Asia, Australia, and New Zealand for $599 base fare | * No blackout periods * Only eligible for economy fares |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | Primary cardholder must spend at least $25,000 in 12 months | * Round-trip economy fare for your companion starting at $99 plus taxes and fees | * Within Canada and US for $99 base fare * Within Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean for $299 base fare * Within South America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa for $499 base fare * Within Asia, Australia, and New Zealand for $599 base fare | * No blackout periods * Only eligible for economy fares |
| BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard | Primary cardholder must spend at least $50,000 within 12 months of opening the account | A free companion pass of the same fare as the primary booking | Anywhere Porter flies | * Doesn't apply to bookings of more than 2 people * No blackout periods * Must pay taxes, fees, and surcharges on the free fare |
1. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card
Voucher fare requirement: Must spend at least $25,000
There's a lot to like about the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card, especially if you're a loyal Air Canada traveller. Not only do you get the usual Aeroplan perks when flying the airline (free checked bags, priority check-in, priority baggage handling, and unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access), but you'll also get Visa Infinite Privilege benefits like:
- Visa Airport Companion Program with 6 free visits per year
- Visa Infinite Privilege benefits at Vancouver, Ottawa, Toronto-City, and Montreal-Trudeau airports
- Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
- 24/7 concierge service
This card's companion voucher allows you to fly economy with a companion at a discounted rate depending on where you're flying. These discounted base rates range from $99 throughout Canada and the U.S. to $599 when flying to Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
2. American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
$150 GeniusCash + Earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan®* points + Air Canada benefits.*
GC: $150
Voucher fare requirement: Must spend at least $25,000
We're highlighting another card with an Air Canada Annual Worldwide Companion Voucher – the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card. You'll get the exact same voucher as the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card, allowing you to fly anywhere in the world on an economy fare, while only paying a reduced base fare for your companion.
Although this card doesn't give you those nice Visa Infinite Privilege benefits, the card is much easier to qualify for, and you'll enjoy a better rewards earn rate. Here's how you'll earn Aeroplan points:
- 3 points per $1 spent on Air Canada
- 2 points per $1 spent on dining and food delivery in Canada
- 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
3. BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard
×1 Award winner GC: $150
1x Award winner Voucher fare requirement: Must spend at least $50,000
Don't be turned off by the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard's higher spending requirements to earn the voucher. Unlike the other cards on our list, this BMO airline card charges an annual fee that's a third of what the premium cards charge.
And, instead of getting a companion fare that's essentially a discounted flight, BMO pays for the entire base fare for any flight around the world. This even applies to upgraded fares or business class. All you have to pay for your companion is the taxes, fees, and surcharges.
If you're looking for a companion voucher that really feels like a free flight, this is the card for you.
Other cards with companion vouchers
The previous cards aren't your only opportunities to score companion vouchers. Take a look at these options from CIBC, WestJet, and RBC. Just note that these vouchers might not be as generous.
| Credit Card | Requirements to earn voucher | What you get | Locations | Features and limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Primary cardholder must spend at least $25,000 in the last 12 months | * Round-trip economy fare for your companion starting at $99 plus taxes and fees | * Within Canada and US for $99 base fare * Within Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean for $299 base fare * Within South America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa for $499 base fare * Within Asia, Australia, and New Zealand for $599 base fare | * No blackout periods * Only eligible for economy fares |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | Must make a purchase to get the welcome companion voucher | Discounted rate on companion fare starting at $119 plus taxes and fees | Fly wherever WestJet flies | Must spend $5,000 each year after your first year to get the annual voucher * Valid for any fare class * No blackout dates |
| WestJet RBC Mastercard | Must charge at least $2,500 per year | Discounted rate on companion fare for economy or premium flights plus taxes and fees | Only valid within Canada and the continental U.S. | * No blackout dates for travel within Canada |
| RBC British Airways Visa Infinite | Must charge at least $30,000 to an RBC British Airways credit card | Free companion flight or 50% discount on solo travel | Reward flights must originate in and return to Canada | Only applies to British Airways flights |
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Voucher fare requirement: Must spend at least $25,000
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card looks remarkably like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card. You'll earn the same companion voucher, so if you're on the fence and already a customer with TD or CIBC, your loyalty might be the thing that determines your card pick.
When comparing the CIBC and TD cards, you'll find there are a lot of ties. Ultimately, this card is a better pick if you're a senior and are looking for travel insurance. People looking for a bigger welcome bonus may want to choose the TD card.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Voucher fare requirement: Make 1 purchase the first year, charge $5,000 per year thereafter
Yes, we're starting with the more elite version of the WestJet credit card, the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, but it's the only card that offers a companion voucher as a welcome bonus. Just make 1 purchase with the card (no minimum spending requirement), and you'll qualify for the voucher. Thereafter, you can earn an annual companion voucher by charging at least $5,000 to your card.
Your round-trip companion voucher gives a discount on the companion fare. You'll pay $119 to $219 plus taxes and fees for travel within Canada and the U.S., and between $399 and $499 for flights within the rest of the WestJet network.
If you decide you don't want to use your voucher, you can cash it in for:
- 2 airport lounge passes
- 30% flight discount for 1 traveller
- A $200 credit towards a WestJet Vacations package or Sunwing Vacations package
WestJet RBC Mastercard
Voucher fare requirement: Must spend at least $2,500 a year
You don't have to spring for the premium WestJet card to get a companion voucher. The basic WestJet RBC Mastercard doesn't give you a welcome companion voucher, but it does give you the opportunity to earn one. You only have to charge $2,500 a year to get a companion voucher – not bad for a card with a low $39 annual fee.
We should point out the voucher's limitations. You can only fly within Canada and the continental U.S., and you're limited to economy or premium fares. And, the voucher isn't a free companion flight. You'll get discounted fares of $199 or $299, depending on fare class.
If you'd rather exchange the companion voucher for a different reward, you can select from:
- 25% flight discount for 1 traveller
- 5,000 WestJet points
RBC British Airways Visa Infinite
Voucher fare requirement: Must spend at least $30,000
The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite offers a companion voucher for travel on British Airways, one of the largest airlines by the number of countries served. In order to earn this voucher, you have to spend $30,000 annually, but there's a huge condition: You can only use your British Airways voucher on a rewards flight.
So, you'll have to use your points to book a primary ticket and add the companion flight. Then, you'll only have to pay the fees, taxes, and carrier charges.
This card does give you the unusual option of redeeming your voucher companion for solo travel. This gives you a 50% discount instead of the free companion fare.
FAQ
What does a companion voucher do?
A companion voucher is a credit card reward you can earn by charging a specific amount to your card over the course of a year. You'll get a free or reduced fare for a travel companion when you book a flight for yourself.
Is a BA companion voucher a free flight?
It depends on how you use the companion voucher. British Airways allows you to fly solo and get a 50% discount on your flight, or book a companion fare with a fellow traveller and get their flight for free. You'll only pay taxes and surcharges.
How does the WestJet companion voucher work?
Depending on which WestJet credit card you have, you can book a companion fare at a discounted rate or select a discount for a solo flight. You can also choose other rewards, like WestJet points, a flight discount for 1 traveller, or airport lounge passes, instead of the companion voucher.
How often do you get WestJet companion vouchers?
WestJet gives you the opportunity to earn a companion voucher every year as long as you meet the spending requirements for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard. Note that all 3 WestJet credit cards issued by RBC offer this perk.
Which credit card offers an Air Canada companion pass?
In addition to the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card and TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card, which we featured, you can also get an Air Canada Worldwide Companion Voucher with the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card and the American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card.
How much do I need to spend to get my companion voucher?
The amount you have to charge to a qualifying credit card depends on the credit card issuer's requirements. Of the best travel credit cards that offer vouchers, most ask you to spend at least $25,000 per year (and BMO requires $50,000).
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