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I booked my 241 outbound leg for London to Sydney but could not get availability for the return leg on the day I wanted. I ended up booking the return leg with Qatar flying Melbourne to London (sadly no caviar)
So in theory I could use the remaining bit of voucher for an open jaws return flight from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) as part of a separate holiday.
The trouble is, I want to visit Malaysia in March 2026. The flight I want is just inside the 2 year deadline for the 241, but I now have already flown the outbound leg to Sydney.
The BA call centre are telling me my voucher is now closed because the outbound leg has been flown, however I cannot find anything in the terms and conditions that states this restriction. I can understand that BA’s system cannot easily process my request, but are they right to say my voucher is now dead and buried??
@Aliks it’s been my understanding (probably read it on here) that inbound must be booked before flying outbound. However, like you, I can’t find any reference to this in the T&C’s.
The closest I could find relates to flying the inbound after the expiry date, which is permitted “provided it is booked at the same time as the outbound travel.”
Scott.
25. Outbound travel must take place before the expiry date of the Companion Voucher however inbound travel can take place after the expiry date of the Companion Voucher, provided it is booked at the same time as the outbound travel.
I think this is the relevant clause. Technically you’re supposed to book the whole trip in one go, but BA has historically some leeway with this as a goodwill gesture. However, it’s always been the case that you can’t book the inbound after flying the outbound (or cancel it, if it’s on one booking, though you can change it in some circumstances).
As we have seen recently, such goodwill gestures are not guaranteed and can be withdrawn at any time!
@NL re “Technically you’re supposed to book the whole trip in one go”,
This is something else that I’ve seen mention on here, but now I look, I can’t see anything in the T&Cs saying this, other than the scenario above about wishing to fly inbound after expiry.
If anyone can find the specific term, I’d be keen to read it.
Maybe I should write to BA for clarification??
@Aliks it’s been my understanding (probably read it on here) that inbound must be booked before flying outbound. However, like you, I can’t find any reference to this in the T&C’s.
The closest I could find relates to flying the inbound after the expiry date, which is permitted “provided it is booked at the same time as the outbound travel.”
@scott it’s a term (15.10) of the BAC T&Cs for redemptions and CV redemptions are subject to the voucher terms, these BAC terms, IATA fare/ticketing rules as well as the Conditions of Carriage.15.10. For return journeys, outbound and return flights must be booked at the same time.
Obviously, this only really affects voucher bookings as for an ordinary redemption one can usually book two one ways.
@Aliks – I’m afraid BA is correct – once the voucher has been used one way, it’s then fully used unless there was a return booking attached to it at least 24 hours before the outbound. The voucher is either for a one way or a return but not two one ways.It’s how BA sees it which counts to all intents and purposes, and that’s what all the evidence amassed here over the years points to.
The voucher is clearly intended to be used for a return journey (or just one way) where both legs are booked at the same time, otherwise it would arrive in 2 parts.
I do think as well that BA is becoming swamped with people calling to apply the vouchers to elements of bookings which can’t be completed online, and their MO will be to become less and less accommodating rather than looking for IT fixes!
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