The ‘How to book the return leg with 2-4-1 companion voucher’ thread

[Simey]

NorthernLass wrote:

Dublin isn’t a UK regional connection, however if you really want these seats then starting somewhere that is can open up extra availability, under certain circumstances (explained by Rob in his articles).

If flying from MAD, the extra availability doesn’t apply, so it doesn’t matter where you start.

No worries – with tips from the thread (read about 20 pages…) and general knowledge, I’m sure we’ll get something sorted. If it goes sideways hopefully someone can offer help in the future. Appreciate it and good luck to all!

[kelliea1]

Sorry to ask but have read through the thread and need a bit more advice please. I have used my 241 for the outbound flight but don’t have enough avios to book the return online.
To call Australia office I would use Skype (never used it before) and would add some credit to Skype to make the call?
I would call at 12.45am our time?
Thank you for your help.

[ed_fly]

Australia BA line is open Monday-Friday. I think some have reported issues with the Aus office (been some months since I booked my last 241)? Also think Skype is 24p per minute for the Ba Australia number. Is your route likely to be booked as soon as released? US, Japan and Australia are the main(only) choices I think. Each with their own merits/risk. If you do go for Australia please do report back on how it went.

[kelliea1]

So I would put credit on my Skype account?
Not sure how popular as need KUL-LHR in August 2025, so summer holidays. Thanks

[kelliea1]

(+61) 1300 767 177
Thus is the number I have for the Aus office.

[RK228]

kelliea1 wrote:

(+61) 1300 767 177
Thus is the number I have for the Aus office.

I always call the US number; there’s no charge if you call via Skype. This works most of the time in my experience, but I have other numbers handy just in case.

[Greygoose]

If you are on an inclusive calls package that gives you 0845 or 0870 numbers for free, there are various providers that will give you free access to Aus. numbers by pre dialling an access number. I haven’t used these personally but just Google “free calls to Australia” (or something similar) and you will get an idea of what’s available and how they work.

Examples are “planet.uk” “dial to save” or “cheaperinternationalcalls” but there are many others.

Good luck!

[kelliea1]

1-800-247-9297
I have just tried to call this number for the US centre and it said it was incorrect. Is this the US call centre number or am I doing something wrong? Thanks

[kelliea1]

I have tried the US number on Skype without the 1 in front and it does not connect?

[e14]

kelliea1 wrote:

I have tried the US number on Skype without the 1 in front and it does not connect?

It should be +1800 on skype

[kelliea1]

Do flights get released at 1am or 12pm please? As was looking online at midnight just for practice and date wasn’t available?

[ekposh]

1am in summer (BST). Back to midnight on 27/10.
I’m personally gonna try the US.

[NorthernLass]

Has anyone had success with the US number recently? There have been reports here that they were saying they’ve been told not to do it any more.

[zibby]

Hopefully someone will have some feedback. I tried to call the US line for 1am Friday, got the recorded message saying an agent will be with you shortly, then cut off at 1am saying closed. Panic set in, and I hopped online and fortunately grabbed 2 BC to Male. I’m not avios rich, so will need to call to add the return. My plan is for me to call US line, and other half to call Aus, unless anyone has any better ideas

[ed_fly]

@northernlass much like BA cancelling 241 vouchers, got to imagine that the US line no longer processing these bookings would’ve been reported a lot more than the spluttering of examples that have been reported. Been months since the last time someone suggested US line refusing them.

[NorthernLass]

I’m not so sure, I think most people know to call Aus and Japan now. I haven’t seen any positive reports re the US for a while (though may have just missed them!)

@zibby – congratulations on having a partner willing to do this with you, I think that might be a first on HFP 😂

Most of us do all the leg work and our OH’s just enjoy the fruits of our toil!

[Simey]

NorthernLass wrote:

I’m not so sure, I think most people know to call Aus and Japan now. I haven’t seen any positive reports re the US for a while (though may have just missed them!)

@zibby – congratulations on having a partner willing to do this with you, I think that might be a first on HFP 😂

Most of us do all the leg work and our OH’s just enjoy the fruits of our toil!

Since there’s too many pages and physically cannot find this..

What is the way to call the Aus or Japan line? I assume they’re open at 1AM UK time – but only Monday – Friday if I seen correctly?

What is the cost of the call, expect it to be quite expensive for overseas calls like that? I see mentions of Skype, but I personally have never used Skype as Teams and the likes were replacing it by the time I grew up lol.

Where does one find the number?

[NorthernLass]

I don’t know exactly which numbers people have been calling but you can select a country on the BA contact page and it will show you the local office number. I think Skype is probably the most cost-effective way of calling, it will be literally pennies.

[Simey]

If Skype needs some money loaded onto it, would someone who used it to call Australia or Japan let me know how much it was? I don’t want to run out of credit and be disconnected mid-way through a booking!

Oh.. and if the US is cracking down on assisting.. is there a preference to which location (Aus / Japan) people try next?

[RK228]

Simey wrote:

Where does one find the number?

Just go to contact section on BA site and select the relevant country.

Simey wrote:

If Skype needs some money loaded onto it, would someone who used it to call Australia or Japan let me know how much it was?

Calls will be pennies per minute and minimum top up is £5, I think, so not really a chance of running out of credit unless you’re planning to be on the phone for hours. I’d personally call US first though, which costs nothing.

[Simey]

RK228 wrote:

Simey wrote:

Where does one find the number?

Just go to contact section on BA site and select the relevant country.

Simey wrote:

If Skype needs some money loaded onto it, would someone who used it to call Australia or Japan let me know how much it was?

Calls will be pennies per minute and minimum top up is £5, I think, so not really a chance of running out of credit unless you’re planning to be on the phone for hours. I’d personally call US first though, which costs nothing.

Seems like the mileage varies heavily calling the US first – which seems to me that if you do that, get nowhere, by the time you redial Plan B (Aus for example) it might be too late?

[RK228]

Simey wrote:

Seems like the mileage varies heavily calling the US first – which seems to me that if you do that, get nowhere, by the time you redial Plan B (Aus for example) it might be too late?

I guess, but I’ve only ever called the US number (if booking at release). Keep in mind that people are more likely to complain or cite issues on the internet than post when things go as expected.

I used the US number just two weeks ago to add returns to two separate bookings to HKG made with 241 and upgrade voucher respectively and agent stayed on phone with me until after 01:30 to get everything sorted.

[Simey]

RK228 wrote:

Simey wrote:

Seems like the mileage varies heavily calling the US first – which seems to me that if you do that, get nowhere, by the time you redial Plan B (Aus for example) it might be too late?

I guess, but I’ve only ever called the US number (if booking at release). Keep in mind that people are more likely to complain or cite issues on the internet than post when things go as expected.

I used the US number just two weeks ago to add returns to two separate bookings to HKG made with 241 and upgrade voucher respectively and agent stayed on phone with me until after 01:30 to get everything sorted.

That’s nice then – worth a try there first.

I see people mentioning a load of different US numbers..

Is this the one you use to add a return for example? 1-800-247-9297

[ed_fly]

When I was looking the aus number looked to be 24.4 pence per minute on Skype. As it’s a 1300 ‘shared’ cost number.

Japan only opens at 1am so you’ll be beaten by online, as they’ll have the seats before you get through to an agent. Aus is only open Monday to Friday, so I genuinely think that we’d have heard by now if US line was blocked.

[ekposh]

I had no joy on the US number (phone line got disconnected / hung up) after I told them what I wanted. Was then closed when I called back. Weekend too, but rang UK 8AM and thankfully seats still there.