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This may be better suited to the Exec club forum so feel free to move if that’s true…
I noticed that the GCM flights make a stop at Nassau on the way out. Is it possible to break an Avios 241 booking to stay the Bahamas for a few days and then continue on to GCM?
And if so, I presume this would need to be booked via an agent rather than online?
Hi Olly – I think what you would need to do is book the LHR-NAS leg, which is a great 241 redemption in itself, then book NAS-GCM separately, either on cash or avios. IMO it’s not worth doing the NAS-GCM leg in business as it’s only 90 minutes and there’s very little in the way of F & B service. It’s one of the “five freedoms” (I think) routes where you can use avios for short flights.
You could try calling BA and asking if you can do a stopover in NAS as part of a single booking, but my feeling is that the system wouldn’t allow this as it’s a single flight number. From my experience you’re either booked to NAS OR GCM and they will only let you off and unload your luggage at one destination. Let us know if they say different though!Also – currently you need government pre-authorisation and a negative test to enter GCM, so being in the Bahamas first might complicate things. In fact, if you’re contemplating travelling to GCM in the next few months make sure you’re aware of the ridiculous testing regime you have to follow at the moment, and the consequences if you test positive. We’re booked to go for 3 weeks in July but if it’s still in place we may well go elsewhere.
- This reply was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .
Thanks Lass, that’s super helpful.
Was thinking that we could do the outbound to Nassau as part of the 241, follow your suggestion for the 5th freedom flight and then do the return part of the 241 from GCM.
However, just had a look at the cash cost and it’s $530 as a single fare to fly it in economy and $378 to fly it as a return.
If we flew it as a return as part of the same flight as the 241 return would this entail us having to get off the plane in Nassau and then reboard (Inc sorting luggage) or would we just be allowed to check in for the entire journey?
Just looked at the avios cost and it’s only 4750 + £17.50 one way so that’s definitely the better option than cash
I don’t think you would be able to do LHR-NAS-GCM-LHR on a single booking for the reasons in my post above. However, you don’t get gouged on the taxes with this route (unlike the US), so it would be perfectly feasible for you to make 3 separate bookings – LHR-NAS, NAS-GCM and GCM-LHR. You’re not allowed to get off at NAS if you’re ticketed to GCM or LHR.
If you’ve not been to GCM before, make sure you do your homework on covid rules and living costs (unless you’re loaded and £10 for a pint is neither here nor there for you!)
I think I’ve properly worked out what you’re proposing now!
I don’t know what would happen if you booked NAS-GCM as a return. Possibly you’d have to get off, clear Bahamas immigration, collect your bags, then check in again! Theoretically you could do that as the stop is 90 mins and it’s a small airport but it would be a lot of hassle.*Also – BA loves to muck about with this route so be prepared for your flights to be cancelled so you have to travel a day or 2 before or after you were intending! Happens to us most years that we do this routing.
- This reply was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .
Dont forget the option to book an open jaw LHR – NAS GCM – LHR, which is allowed with a 2-4-1. Completely avoids the luggage/immigration hassle on the way home. Just leaves you to book NAS – GCM with BA as a standalone Avios redemption.
@memesweeper, that’s exactly what I suggested above!
Dont forget the option to book an open jaw LHR – NAS GCM – LHR, which is allowed with a 2-4-1. Completely avoids the luggage/immigration hassle on the way home. Just leaves you to book NAS – GCM with BA as a standalone Avios redemption.
Yes, this is what I looked into earlier but on a cash ticket the single leg from NAS – GCM – the economy ticket cost was over $500, almost the same as the business fare in fact so it only works on an Avios redemption
I think I’ve properly worked out what you’re proposing now!
I don’t know what would happen if you booked NAS-GCM as a return. Possibly you’d have to get off, clear Bahamas immigration, collect your bags, then check in again! Theoretically you could do that as the stop is 90 mins and it’s a small airport but it would be a lot of hassle.*Also – BA loves to muck about with this route so be prepared for your flights to be cancelled so you have to travel a day or 2 before or after you were intending! Happens to us most years that we do this routing.
Sorry if I didn’t explain it very well, getting on and off would be way too much hassle with two young kids in tow
Thanks for the heads up on the cancellations too
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