Change fee for adding return to 2-4-1 booking

[flylesstravelmore]

I had a similar experience to https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/charged-70-for-booking-open-jaw-return-companion-voucher/

I booked the one-way 2-4-1 journey outbound online, called to book the return, and was changed the £35pp change fee (not the phone booking fee).

They explained that unless it was a case where the outbound was booked when the inbound was unavailable (i.e. +355 days in advance), then they cannot waive the change fee as you should have called to book both legs on the single ticket.

This feels frustrating. Are they correct?

In the past, I’ve managed to book both journeys as one-way tickets online and then phone up to get a refund of the Avios for the inbound leg without any fees. Perhaps I should have done the same this time?

[Rob]

Yes, this seems to be BA policy.

I think you’re looking at it the wrong way. As you say, BA SHOULD be charging everyone £70. As a favour, they wave it for people trying to get around the 355 day issues. Everyone else needs to pay.

[flylesstravelmore]

Thanks! I long for the day the disappointing IT systems allow for this without needing to speak to a human. #millennialProblems

[Anna]

If you book the return online then request 50% avios back they don’t charge (or not so far!)

I think it’s more likely they’ll just stop cooperating with this before they amend the IT, and we’ll be stuck with only being able to use half a voucher or taking a risk that both legs will be available when we book.