Booking return leg of 2-4-1 as one-way then adjusting – still possible?
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Would anyone be able to confirm that it’s still possible to book the return leg of a trip as a one-way redemption (using full Avios) then calling and asking for half the Avios for that leg to be returned?
Apart from not needing to get through on the phone at 1am (and needing the extra Avios in hand) is there any downside to doing this?
There is a massive chat on this:
https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/booking-return-leg-with-companion-voucher/
No one has lately said the get back half thing is a problem but you must book the same avios and cash combo.
The other downside depends on the route, if super competitive then the people on the phone might nab it before you complete your purchase online.
Thanks for pointing out the thread. I’m looking for a US West Coast return, so I think it’s a late night on the phone for me!
Yes it’s possible,I’ve just done it
No downside, given the parameters in OP and possible popularity of route.
Thanks for pointing out the thread. I’m looking for a US West Coast return, so I think it’s a late night on the phone for me!
not sure US west coast are that busy, the ones that I had in mind were SIN, SYD. But I wouldn’t want to be responsible for you missing the avilabilities 😅.
Definitely still possible, I can confirm I booked my inbound flight last night and added it to my booking this morning. No problem at all.
I did book both flights using the same level of avios.
By using this method, is there a disadvantage because for the inbound you wouldn’t see the extra available seats available to companion voucher holders? Because you would have used your companion voucher to make the outbound booking so when looking online later for the inbound, it would be as if you were making a new separate booking without the voucher?
Yes – though apparently if you call to add the return the agent can see the extra availability.
Thanks. So it sounds like it would be better to book the return via phone at 1am if it is one of the most popular routes.
@FH2 – it’s unlikely the “extra” availability would be showing at T-355. As I understand it, the I-class seats are released as and when BA decides to make that fare bucket available on a particular route. So if you’re only trying to get the standard reward seats at T-355, the availability will be the same regardless of the booking method.
Thanks for pointing out the thread. I’m looking for a US West Coast return, so I think it’s a late night on the phone for me!
not sure US west coast are that busy, the ones that I had in mind were SIN, SYD. But I wouldn’t want to be responsible for you missing the avilabilities 😅.
I was a thinking more from the potential extra taxes due to two one-ways. I’m not sure, though, that either strategy is necessary as most of the airports I’m likely to use seem to be pretty wide-open a year out.
I booked an outbound leg (LGW-MCO) online a weeks ago (at 1am, easy online – no issues).
I am now starting to do the prep work for the return leg (MCO-LGW). I have enough Avios to do it online and fight for the pts refund later.
However I keep getting an error when I try for the one way flight originating in the states.
“Sorry, there’s a problem with booking this journey online. You can try selecting other flights or contact us so an agent can help you book the flights you have selected”
It almost feels like I need to phone up, because it wont leg me book the one way return leg online? Is that really the case??
TIA.
I booked an outbound leg (LGW-MCO) online a weeks ago (at 1am, easy online – no issues).
I am now starting to do the prep work for the return leg (MCO-LGW). I have enough Avios to do it online and fight for the pts refund later.
However I keep getting an error when I try for the one way flight originating in the states.
“Sorry, there’s a problem with booking this journey online. You can try selecting other flights or contact us so an agent can help you book the flights you have selected”
It almost feels like I need to phone up, because it wont leg me book the one way return leg online? Is that really the case??
TIA.
I just tried the same routing [in Club] and I also get the same message after selecting the flight. It might be wise to contact BA now to check what’s happening so that you don’t get stuck when you do actually want them.
@FH2 – it’s unlikely the “extra” availability would be showing at T-355. As I understand it, the I-class seats are released as and when BA decides to make that fare bucket available on a particular route. So if you’re only trying to get the standard reward seats at T-355, the availability will be the same regardless of the booking method.
Ah I see – thanks that is good to know.
@robincarder, there shouldn’t be an issue starting in the US. Have you made sure there’s availability on the dates you’re checking/tried a different device or browser/not accidentally picking the wrong route/adding a domestic connection?
Having said that I just tried doing it myself and got the same message! Wondering if BA is currently tinkering with the schedule on that route?
@northernlass – thanks for looking! I did wonder if it was a blip – as there was so much discussion on here that I followed about doing two single online bookings.
I will try again tomorrow and play with some diff routes. (There was definitely availability on the test I was running)
I don’t mind calling, but I want a Saturday 1am call – so then I fall into the office hours trap documented elsewhere.
I booked an outbound leg (LGW-MCO) online a weeks ago (at 1am, easy online – no issues).
I am now starting to do the prep work for the return leg (MCO-LGW). I have enough Avios to do it online and fight for the pts refund later.
However I keep getting an error when I try for the one way flight originating in the states.
“Sorry, there’s a problem with booking this journey online. You can try selecting other flights or contact us so an agent can help you book the flights you have selected”
It almost feels like I need to phone up, because it wont leg me book the one way return leg online? Is that really the case??
TIA.
I just tried the same routing [in Club] and I also get the same message after selecting the flight. It might be wise to contact BA now to check what’s happening so that you don’t get stuck when you do actually want them.
Sorry – missed your initial reply. Thanks also for trying.
I just tried again. Working find for Tampa, but not Orlando. Will give it 24 hrs then try and contact BA.Anyone got any tips on how best to raise this kind of issue with BA without losing a day to a call centre?
Via twitter last night – BA acknowledged that this was a problem and have passed to their faults team.
Hoping the route (MCO-LGW) is back to normal status before I need to book 🙂
Thanks to all!”
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