LONDON, January 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

• 36% of Brits struggle to find a holiday destination that suits the interests of themselves and their companion  
• However, 82% of Brits say who you travel with is as important as where you travel according to new study* from the British Airways American Express® Card 

When planning your holiday this January, it might be worth spending just as much time considering which companion you take with you as searching for your dream destination.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160120/324107 )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160120/324108 )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160120/324109 )

New research from the British Airways American Express® Card has found that the travel experience is defined as much by your companion as by the destination itself, with 82% of Brits saying that the person they choose to travel with is as important as where they choose to go.

However, over a third (36%) say that they struggle to find a destination that suits the interests of both holidaygoers - whether that travel companion is a partner, family member or friend.

With 36 million Brits planning to get away in 2016, and the average spend per holiday amounting to £1,350 in total, making sure you and your companion's travel interests are catered for, is key.

Which is why American Express has partnered with renowned publisher Phaidon, to create a travel guide with a difference. Companion features ten of the most exciting cities in the world explored from the differing perspectives of the insiders who live and work there. In it, late night rock 'n' roll is reconciled with healthy living in Reykjavik, the urban scene is contrasted with the splendid isolation on offer in Vancouver and the worlds of high fashion and films are championed in Sao Paulo.

Designed to satisfy the diverse interests of travelling companions, the guide is inspired by the Companion Voucher, a British Airways Amex Card benefit that provides a complimentary second seat companion on a British Airways flight. The result is an insider's guide to the must-see cities to visit with partners, family and friends from creative visionaries across the world including Ferran and Albert Andrià, renowned chefs and the inspirational founders of celebrated restaurant elBulli and British photographer and Magnum Photos president Martin Parr.  

  The Ten Companion Trips of 2016                                                                       are:
     City                Companion guide insider insights 

    Berlin                  Photography and nightlife
    Barcelona               Architecture and food
    Amsterdam               Shopping and design
    São Paulo               Cinema and fashion
    Rome                    Architecture and pizza
    Reykjavik               Food and coastal landscapes
    Vancouver               Outdoors and city life
    New York                Eating and drinking
    Los Angeles             Photography and art
    Hong Kong               Design and Asian cuisine

Heather Laverne, British Airways American Express® Card, says: "Holiday time is precious so finding a destination that caters to the differing interests of you and your companion is crucial.  The Companion guide is designed to inspire those travelling together in 2016 with recommendations from insiders who can offer new perspectives on some popular city destinations.  We hope that the guide will help travellers cater to the differing interests of their companions but also tempt them to explore something new."

Mat Smith, Phaidon's Digital Editorial Director, says: "At Phaidon we were excited to create Companion because we see the desires of our travel companions as something to embrace, an opportunity to explore the unexpected and a chance to enjoy, quite literally, a different view. Use the expertise of our network of creatives and their associates to fast track yourself to the best each city has to offer."

The COMPANION travel guide is available online from 20^th January 2016 and free to download at http://www.americanexpress.co.uk/companions

* One Poll study of a representative sample of 2,000 UK residents December 2015

About the Companion Voucher 

When you spend £10,000 on your British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card within a Card anniversary year you will receive a Companion Voucher, which you can use to take a companion with you in the same flight and cabin when you use your Avios for a British Airways reward flight*.

Get 1.5 Avios for virtually every £1 spent on your Card and a 25,000 bonus Avios welcome offer when you spend £3,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership. A companion trip to Berlin (9,000 Avios) or Rome (15,000 Avios) could be closer than you think.

*Taxes, fees and charges apply.

About American Express 

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, business travel, and corporate card.

SOURCE British Airways American Express Cards