Combine cash and points booking

[as02]

Hi All. I am planning to book Madrid-Lima-Madrid on Iberia using my companion voucher, and Lon-Mad-Lon for cash on BA.
Is there a way to combine these bookings afterwards so that we don’t need to check-in again in Madrid?
Thanks!

[ekposh]

As harsh as this sounds. No. Sorry 🙁

[ekposh]

But I like the Madrid lounge. Give yourself plenty of time and enjoy the layover. Better still, enjoy a night in Madrid, though appreciate timings and plans might not suit. But realistically, I wouldn’t risk anything less than 4 hours.

[zio]

No, you can’t combine the bookings, but you can do MAD-LIM-MAD-LON as one booking using a voucher, which avoids UK APD and the need to recheck bags on return.
Do London to Madrid one way for cash, preferably the previous day as your outbound connection won’t be protected.
As @ekposh says, the lounge is pleasant. I think Rob or Rhys did a review not so long ago?

[as02]

Thanks everyone!
Yes we do plan to keep sufficient gap to make use of the lounge. We’ll likely land in Madrid at 1330, explore the city, and then fly out at 0020.

@zio – That sounds like a good suggestion! Although we are booking MAD-LIM-MAD in Business. Is it possible to book the MAD-LON leg in Economy, or will that have to be in Business? Will I need to call them and get these booked?

[zio]

I did MAD-LIM-MAD-LON in August 2022 so just missed the new seat but here’s something to whet the appetite:
https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/02/05/review-iberias-new-a350-next-business-class-from-madrid-to-bogota/
Was sure I remember a Velazquez lounge review but can’t find it now…

I’m not 100% sure, but think you can do the MAD-LON leg in economy. Someone will confirm.

[zio]

Memory far from infallible but I think I booked it all online. Outbound for sure on the Iberia site as I remember battling CMA.

[e14]

as02 wrote:

Thanks everyone!
Yes we do plan to keep sufficient gap to make use of the lounge. We’ll likely land in Madrid at 1330, explore the city, and then fly out at 0020.

@zio – That sounds like a good suggestion! Although we are booking MAD-LIM-MAD in Business. Is it possible to book the MAD-LON leg in Economy, or will that have to be in Business? Will I need to call them and get these booked?

Short answer – you will need to call if you want MAD-LIM // LIM-MAD-LHR all on one booking

If you aren’t using an Amex 241 and don’t think you will need to change the flights or cancel you can of course book two one way tickets MAD-LIM and on the other LIM-MAD-LHR

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

zio wrote:

Memory far from infallible but I think I booked it all online. Outbound for sure on the Iberia site as I remember battling CMA.

Since @asO2 is desirous of using a 2-4-1 they will have to book via BA.

If these were just simple avios flights then they could book via IB if they have an IB account already set up.

[zio]

Thanks for clearing this up.
I was travelling solo, and having trawled records I can see I did two online bookings via IB as per @e14
This was before vouchers were usable on IB but the cash part came to only £223 in total.

[as02]

Thanks both! This is super helpful.
And yes – I am planning to use the 2-4-1 voucher. So in that case, is my understanding correct in that I’ll need to-
1. Call BA on T-355 for outbound and book MAD-LIM using full Avios
2. Call BA on T-355 for inbound and book LIM-MAD-LON and ask them to combine the #1 and #2. They’ll then refund half the Avios used for #1?

[zio]

1. For avoidance of doubt, you need to apply the voucher against the outbound (if you call you can say that you’ll ring back when the return flights are released).
2. Technicalities here. You may get someone who doesn’t understand what you want if you say “combine”. Better I think to say “I’ve already booked an outbound flight with my companion voucher and would like to add the return flight which has just been/is just about to be released, please.” They will calculate what extra avios/cash is needed.
Apologies if I’ve read your post wrong, but the mention of a refund suggests you are confusing the process with booking online for full avios and calling for a refund of half. If this isn’t clear I can’t recommend enough reading the long “how to add a return with a 241” thread.

[e14]

as02 wrote:

Thanks both! This is super helpful.
And yes – I am planning to use the 2-4-1 voucher. So in that case, is my understanding correct in that I’ll need to-
1. Call BA on T-355 for outbound and book MAD-LIM using full Avios
2. Call BA on T-355 for inbound and book LIM-MAD-LON and ask them to combine the #1 and #2. They’ll then refund half the Avios used for #1?

No
1) Book online MAD-LIM using the Amex 241 voucher
2) Call when you see the seats online on IB around 360 days to add LIM-MAD
3) Call when you see the seats online on IB around 360 days to add MAD-LHR (this will be a day after 2)

Not sure how you came to the understanding of not using the voucher in your first booking (you have to).

Hopefully IB will not be playing around and will release the seats you need

[zio]

@e14 good points that you will see the flights earlier on IB than BA, and that you don’t need to wait for the MAD-LHR leg to appear to lock in the LIM-MAD flight.

[NorthernLass]

Yes, you can do the short-haul leg in economy, but if booking by phone make sure the agent knows you want to do this so they only charge you the lower avios and cash rate.

[as02]

That’s absolutely clear now. Thank you!
I guess I was probably confusing this situation with something else I had read around here, which requires you to use full avios to book and then ask for refund.
But all clear now – thanks all 🙂

[e14]

NorthernLass wrote:

Yes, you can do the short-haul leg in economy, but if booking by phone make sure the agent knows you want to do this so they only charge you the lower avios and cash rate.

Personally I wouldn’t mix and match the booking classes on the flight it’s not worth the hassle with the different baggage allowances and outsourced check in staff, there would be a minimal cash saving overall.