Cancelled Avios flight – can I still rebook for ANY date with cash availability?

[c_j]

Hello! BA has cancelled one leg of an Avios redemption (with an Amex 241 voucher) in November. Is the ‘you can rebook for ANY date policy‘described in the linked HFP article still in place or was that a Covid-only thing?

And if so – would it allow me to change to a flight on the day before? I ask as I was on a daytime flight back from the East Coast but now there are only red-eyes available, and want to get back to london on the same day as originally planned.

And – would it allow me to change cabin at the same time (even if there is no avios availability)? I was in WTP for the daytime flight but would like to be in CW (or 1st) now it’s overnight…

[NorthernLass]

If you’re just asking to move to another BA flight, you should have no problem with changing to the day before (if you were asking for another airline you might get some pushback from BA although technically you would be entitled).
If there is avios availability in CW (you can only upgrade one cabin class), what they would probably do is rebook you on the new date, then upgrade it for you, but you’d have to pay any extra surcharges and possibly a change fee as you may have originally been able to do this online. If there’s no avios availability in CW, you can only get a cash upgrade.

But if there are ANY day time seats in your original booking class, you would be entitled to them, even if there was no avios availability. If NYC, there are day time flights daily from both JFK and EWR, if that helps.

[c_j]

Thanks! it’s from BOS so only the one daytime flight to LON with BA (or indeed anyome!)

One more Q – how stupid was I to click ‘accept’ on the evening flights on the same day BA offered over email last night? Do you know if BA will still be open to me moving the flights forward 24hrs?

No Avios availability in CW or any other class unfortunately so I think the best I could hope for would be WTP, but moving the date would be a big plus…

[NorthernLass]

Oops – you’ll probably have a fight on your hands if you’ve accepted an alternative. You can throw yourself on the goodwill of the BA agent who answers the phone but officially they don’t owe you anything now.

[c_j]

So spoke to someone friendly who said they couldn’t do it now I clicked ‘accept’, even though the email and the linked webpage didn’t make any mention of other options… Gah.

they did say I might have more luck if I raise it live chat on the website… But I can’t find that… I don’t suppose has a link to a working live chat page?

[NorthernLass]

If the chat agents can do it, the phone ones can! That just sounds like they were fobbing you off, tbh. If chat is working you can see it on the bottom right of your computer screen or via the “contact us” page.

[Lady London]

It’s a fob off you’re stuck with it.

Hope for another significant change or cancellation and don’t click so quickly next time or they’ve got you.