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Hi all,
I’ll be planning to use a 2 for 1 to go from Belfast -> London -> Tokyo sometime later this year. I am well aware of all the difficulties, popularity etc etc regarding this route.
This is why I am eager to get your assistance on “plan B”. As in, Iberia from Madrid to Narita. I was looking around on the BA site (where I have to book) and the easiest / most likely routing for me would be Dublin -> Madrid (layover maybe) -> Narita / Tokyo. I could however snatch a BA flight back to LHR and from there to Ireland either Dublin or Belfast.
The issue is, that if I do the MAD – TOKYO routing, I can take a BA plane back but I have to go the full way to Madrid.
Is there a way to maybe try a routing such as DUB – MAD – NRT for the outbound Iberia section, then a HND – LHR – BHD routing on the way back under same ticket with 2 for 1? Feel like it should be possible as I could build that custom trip on cash.
Any ideas how I could do this, or is this a call centre job?
@simey – the Avios and voucher rules permit that routing, but you need to call to book. Only the most simple one way or return trips can be booked online using Avios.
@simey – the Avios and voucher rules permit that routing, but you need to call to book. Only the most simple one way or return trips can be booked online using Avios.
I was thinking that maybe the complexity might be a challenge with the Avios bookings. Just would be nice to get an idea of the Avios cost (mixed airline / charts) and fees beforehand so wished to see if I can get that.
@simey – it doesn’t work for every route but I think that on this one, if you add the two one ways that you can check online, you will get very close. For the return, there’s no extra for the domestic leg, so it’s the peak/off peak Avios + the RFS which is the same in both directions. As you are starting in Dublin (so no APD issue arises) it shouldn’t make a difference whether you have a layover or stopover in Madrid. The DUB-MAD may be a little expensive in Avios but will ensure your connection is protected (unless you decide to have a 24hr+ stopover) and the overall cost should be cheaper than the return.
@simey – it doesn’t work for every route but I think that on this one, if you add the two one ways that you can check online, you will get very close. For the return, there’s no extra for the domestic leg, so it’s the peak/off peak Avios + the RFS which is the same in both directions. As you are starting in Dublin (so no APD issue arises) it shouldn’t make a difference whether you have a layover or stopover in Madrid. The DUB-MAD may be a little expensive in Avios but will ensure your connection is protected (unless you decide to have a 24hr+ stopover) and the overall cost should be cheaper than the return.
I see – no worries. It’s easy enough to snag a return on the day it becomes avaialble, but I do not have the Avios power to be able to book 2 separate redemptions, call them and then refund 1 half to secure it. As I aim for a 3 week trip, by the time my “return” date turns up, the outbound was up for 3 weeks or so, which means the chances of finding one is slim.
I’ll have to look at the Iberia flight schedule again properly and call someone that’s hopefully helpful enough at BA to get it sorted sometime Sep / Oct!
Indeed you need to call to book as it’s an open jaw booking (ending in LON rather than your original departure point)
Thee may also be married segment issued on the IB sectors in that they may offer DUB- MAD and MAD-TYO separately but not as a single routing on the same day.
When you call please have as much info as possible for the agent – flight numbers and times as it really will help them construct the route and make the whole process quicker.
Indeed you need to call to book as it’s an open jaw booking (ending in LON rather than your original departure point)
Thee may also be married segment issued on the IB sectors in that they may offer DUB- MAD and MAD-TYO separately but not as a single routing on the same day.
When you call please have as much info as possible for the agent – flight numbers and times as it really will help them construct the route and make the whole process quicker.
Absolutely – I will try my best to see what I can see available then hand that over to them if my original plan of booking it myself as a BA ticket fails due to availability issues.
It’s good to see that what I had in mind is at least possible, so if all else fails that’s the path I’ll take.
Thanks for the tips! I only did one journey like this so far and that was to LAS – did not have such issues to worry about there!
A point to be aware of is that IB flights are available at I think 361 days whereas BA flights are 355 days. I believe you can book IB via BA on the phone 361 days using your 241. Then ring in to add the return
A point to be aware of is that IB flights are available at I think 361 days whereas BA flights are 355 days. I believe you can book IB via BA on the phone 361 days using your 241. Then ring in to add the return
Yeah, there is a bit of an early access if you’re doing it on Iberia’s site but with the voucher I must use BA.com as a “partner” booking I believe so it’s just something I have to factor in!
A point to be aware of is that IB flights are available at I think 361 days whereas BA flights are 355 days. I believe you can book IB via BA on the phone 361 days using your 241. Then ring in to add the return
Yeah, there is a bit of an early access if you’re doing it on Iberia’s site but with the voucher I must use BA.com as a “partner” booking I believe so it’s just something I have to factor in!
@Simey – when you call BA, they can book Iberia flights for you at T-360 (which I think it is rather than T-361) even though they don’t show on the BA website until T-355. Famous last words, but it’s a useful feature as there isn’t a rush in Spain to book at the very earliest opportunity.RJ have some good fares for MAD – AMM – BKK – HND, £1700 for 840 tier points on the right days
Won’t earn you that many avios back, but it puts you half way to gold, and might not be that much more than the taxes + fees on a BA redemption….
RJ have some good fares for MAD – AMM – BKK – HND, £1700 for 840 tier points on the right days
Won’t earn you that many avios back, but it puts you half way to gold, and might not be that much more than the taxes + fees on a BA redemption….
Quite a few stopovers and fees with voucher I estimate to be around £1000-1100 all in. Possibly less if one part is from MAD with Iberia. Good suggestion, but not quite relevant for me at this time!
@simey – it doesn’t work for every route but I think that on this one, if you add the two one ways that you can check online, you will get very close. For the return, there’s no extra for the domestic leg, so it’s the peak/off peak Avios + the RFS which is the same in both directions. As you are starting in Dublin (so no APD issue arises) it shouldn’t make a difference whether you have a layover or stopover in Madrid. The DUB-MAD may be a little expensive in Avios but will ensure your connection is protected (unless you decide to have a 24hr+ stopover) and the overall cost should be cheaper than the return.
Reviving this topic – as far as I can see the only option is Aer Lingus for same day. It arrives at 10AM and the IB flight leaves at 12. For me, personally, that is not a ton of time between the 2 flights, as anything could go wrong. So it does seem like the safest bet is to perhaps omit the Dublin to Madrid part from this and do that myself, arrive a day before just to be on the safe side if this option is available or needed as a Plan B.
If I took IB to Madrid, it would need to be the day before as they don’t even fly before that Tokyo flight leaves, so I guess that’s the plan on that regard..
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