Can someone please explain VA companion voucher?

[Sue]

Ok, our flights to and from LAX have been cancelled but we do need to rebook for next year.
On Our WhatsApp chat, we cannot rebook as it is more than 331 days away. We can have a voucher or refund.
We have been told that we get a companion voucher if we opt for a voucher but even after asking for an explanation and looking on the VA website at the “simplification” - we don’t understand it?

We had four seats booked all Upper for this trip. So how can we upgrade a companion when we are all in the same cabin anyway? OR - does the companion voucher cover a different trip?
(We are continually checking prices for next year and it’s roughly equivalent to what we have paid, so thinking the voucher would cover it).

Thanks for any help

[berneslai]

Your question would probably be best answered by some of the experts on FlyerTalk but, from what you've said, the use of the companion voucher would be pointless unless (a) you can save money by rebooking passenger(s) in a lower class and upgrade or (b) use it on a different flight.

If you are just going to roll the booking, it seems that it has limited use. I would assume that you can use the voucher on another VA flight.

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

The companion voucher is a 'sweetener' to thank you for letting VS keep your money in their bank if you opt for the voucher.

It can be useful in the future for another flight if

1) A reward seat is available to use it.
2) The person who is awarded the voucher is FC Silver to allow the use in UC.

They work by allowing a companion to fly on a reward seat on the same flight as the holder who has purchased either a cash or a points/miles fare. The companion pays taxes + surcharges only on the reward seat.

[Sue]

Thanks, I think we’re just going to go straight refund, we both have loads of miles for future upgrades and hopefully can rebook soon for a similar price to that paid for this trip.