BA say I can’t merge itineraries – am I asking the wrong question?

[matthewtayloruk]

Hello!
I’ve booked an outbound London->Nassau next year, then tried to call BA at midnight to add a return leg. I got the ‘we’re so busy at the moment we can’t speak to you. Try later’ type message. So in the interests of time I’ve booked the return leg online.

I thought I’d then be able to call BA and merge the itineraries in order to have my companion voucher applied also to the return leg. As described here…

https://www.headforpoints.com/2022/08/28/how-to-use-a-british-airways-american-express-241-companion-voucher-2/

However, when I called they say this isn’t possible, and I should speak to the retention team on a different number. This sounds a bit odd to me.

Does anyone know what I should be specifically asking them to do when I call up?

Cheers!

Matt

[JDB]

It isn’t possible for BA (or any other airline) to merge itineraries in the manner you suggest; it would require cancelling one and rebooking that flight in the other. The bookings can, to an extent, be linked but it’s not really linked for most useful purposes.

You can however ask them to apply the 241 to the one you booked online and refund you the Avios. It’s a concession by BA outwith the terms, but most agents will agree to do it.