BA website vs phone for Avios purchase

[yonasl]

Hello,

Looking to grab an Avios flight for a specific date. This is not LHR-HND so there should be a good chance I get it but still.

I read about some people calling BA at midnight (I suppose UK time) to get it asap. What’s the difference between that and using the website at that exact time?

Thanks

[VALittleRed]

IIRC phone agents can hold the seats quicker than you would be able to complete the transaction online

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

This is why people are calling.

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/booking-return-leg-with-companion-voucher/

[yonasl]

Thanks, so basically website at midnight UK time or call a US number.

[Rob]

If there is anyone on the phone they will beat you if you’re on the website. Despite what the website shows the flights are not reserved for you until you’ve filled in everything and clicked pay, which takes a few minutes. The call centre can put a ‘genuine’ hold on tickets whilst you do the formalities.

[BJ]

Problem is that if routs is in demand all we’re doing is shifting hopes from web to agent. If there are only 4 seats available but 20 people looking to book them then an agent is not likely to be much help either. Su

I.O the sjngle most important factor to boost chances is having a new style amex voucher

[To dare is to do]

yonasl wrote:

Thanks, so basically website at midnight UK time or call a US number.

Is it not 1am UK time now we’re on BST?

[BJ]

Yes, now 1am UK time

[JDB]

BJ wrote:

Problem is that if routs is in demand all we’re doing is shifting hopes from web to agent. If there are only 4 seats available but 20 people looking to book them then an agent is not likely to be much help either. Su

I.O the sjngle most important factor to boost chances is having a new style amex voucher

And think how many of those callers and thousands of BA reward seats each year go to those who don’t even pay the annual fee for their Amex Companion Voucher.

[Indy500]

‘morning
Can I book Qatar Airways tickets via BA.com over the ‘phone or do they only handle BA flights?
Indy

[BJ]

@Indy500. You can book them at BA.com or over the phone. note that prices from LHR swem to be same booked via BA or QR. If you’re starting from MAN or EDI you’ll likely save avios booking via QR app or web. Despite this some prefer to book via BA as CS is better if something goes wrong or needs changing. You cannot use amex vouchers on QR operated flights regardless of how you book or any BA codeshares. There have been some reports of QR targeting redemption for downgrades, changes, rerouting and offloading. I’ve no idea if QR are really any worse for this than any other airline.

[Indy500]

BJ wrote:

@Indy500. You can book them at BA.com or over the phone. note that prices from LHR swem to be same booked via BA or QR. If you’re starting from MAN or EDI you’ll likely save avios booking via QR app or web. Despite this some prefer to book via BA as CS is better if something goes wrong or needs changing. You cannot use amex vouchers on QR operated flights regardless of how you book or any BA codeshares. There have been some reports of QR targeting redemption for downgrades, changes, rerouting and offloading. I’ve no idea if QR are really any worse for this than any other airline.

Thanks for the info. This will be cash plus points. [300k + £1200 approx.]