Genuine improvements when booking with Avios on ba.com

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• James67 says:

  11 Aug11 August 07:54

  What is the issue with one connection now? This is probably why when I tried a dummy booking fot DUB-BKK and BKK-GLA it only shows me BA availability with the one stop in LHR. In past it would give me 2 stop optionz with AY, MH or RJ. I guess I now have to call to book these? You mentioned booking a return; is there any advantage of doing so cersus two one ways?

  • Volker says:

    11 Aug11 August 08:06

    I need to travel from Glasgow to Berlin in December, and for the first time, the system offered me e.g. GLA-LHR-FRA-TXL and GLA-LHR-DUS-TXL, partly on Air Berlin metal. No Reward Flight Saver though plus a higher Avios requirement, so I’ll stick with GLA-LHR-TXL on BA.

  • Rob says:

    11 Aug11 August 08:41

    Booking a return on BA metal, long-haul, is often cheaper because BA plays games with fuel surcharges, which actually differ based on the ability of the market to sustain them. A one way London to New York and a one way New York to London has SUBSTANTIALLY higher surcharges than a LON-NYC-LON return.

    • James67 says:

      11 Aug11 August 10:39

      Thanks, will be careful to check that out in my redemptions for next year. However, I guess I will be losing avios and cash if I had to cancel or change return leg after departure? For the moment I’m sitting toght for a conversion bonus from Tesco. If it doesn’t appear by the week following next statement I will probably just convert anyway in hope of a redemption sale from BA later in the year. Best result though would be another premium seat sale with WTP to BKK, HKG or SIN around £800-1000 in conjunction with availability for MFU but I realize thats a lot to hope for 🙂

• Will says:

  11 Aug11 August 08:55

  I never had to pay a phone booking fee for multi class reward redemption. The argument was no other option. It was a pain. Glad it’s been fixed. Thanks for the info 🙂

• Colin says:

  11 Aug11 August 09:09

  The functionality is much improved, when i search for GLA – KUL it now uses MAS for a GLA – LHR – KUL.

  Previously a search would have routed me either via Helsinki with Finnair or HKG via Cathay Pacific.

• Tim says:

  11 Aug11 August 10:01

  I thought the major issue with Avios.com was that unless you start in London you can only book economy flights.

• Brian says:

  11 Aug11 August 10:19

  Now if they can also add the ability to book or upgrade open jaw online that would be another big improvement. I often fly LHR-AUH DXB-LHR, usually booking WT+ and upgrading to CW with Avios and they never waive the booking fee even though it is impossible to book online.

  • Adam W says:

    11 Aug11 August 17:57

    The policy is to only waive the telephone booking fee when the website will not allow you to book something that it was designed to do. As the website isn’t set-up to book open jaws, the policy dictates that you pay the telephone booking fee.

• richie says:

  11 Aug11 August 17:55

  it seems to not let you book a lhr-dubai flight if you choose a qantas flight. you can see the avaliability however you cant book it. its been like that since qantas splt up with ba on the kangaroo routes. anyone know why?

  • Rob says:

    11 Aug11 August 18:50

    AA does not show these, so I think it is a bug. Either that, or they are only available if booked with a DXB SYD (the old ‘married segment’ chestnut).

• Andrew says:

  12 Aug12 August 00:19

  Anyone know how I can book an open-jaw flight with Exec Club, either full Avios or as an Avios for Upgrade? Will I just simply need to call them and make a fuss that it’s the only option if they want to charge me a fee?

  • Alan says:

    12 Aug12 August 00:25

    It depends on what you’re wanting to book – if it’s an RFS booking then you can just book as 2x one-ways (as taxes/fees are precisely half). However if you’re wanting to book it all as one, either to use an Amex 2-4-1 voucher or due to the taxes/fees for 2x one-ways being greater than a return (as noted above) then you need to call them. It’s certainly worth asking nicely re fee being waived – I’ve certainly heard of folk being successful.

    • Andrew says:

      12 Aug12 August 11:57

      Thanks. I called them this morning to book and the agent informed me at the start of the booking that as an open-jaw upgrade booking couldn’t be made on-line there wouldn’t be an off-line service fee. So that was good, no need to even have a rant.

      • Alan says:

        12 Aug12 August 20:15

        Excellent, glad to hear common sense prevailed at their end!

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.