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I’ve just booked outbound London-Tokyo for 3 people in CW using my BA Companion Voucher – total came to 200k Avios + taxes/charges (i.e. 2x50k half price, and 1x100k full price).
When it comes to booking the return, I’ll try to book at 1am, and then call up BA to get half the Avios refunded for 2 people for the Companion Voucher return leg. However, I only wish to book for 2 in CW on the return (and one likely in Economy under a separate booking) so as to take advantage of the voucher, but at the same time preserve some Avios.
My question is whether this is feasible – ie I know I’d be able to make the booking itself, but was unsure if BA would then refund half the Avios for 2 passengers given the number of passengers differs on the two legs. Linked to this, is the Companion Voucher on the outbound linked to a specific second individual (e.g. the second person on the booking??) or just the booking as a whole. If a specific person, I’d clearly need to make sure the second passenger on the return leg is the same individual
This should be fine. The inbound is a separate booking to the outbound so the names of the companion don’t have to match.
Thanks, good to know! I had just assumed the companion had to be the same individual both ways
I think BA will expect it to be the same person on both legs if you’re applying a 241 and might refuse to refund the avios. They might also try & be awkward about the discrepancy in pax numbers but you can push back with that because it’s not against the Ts & Cs.
I’m with @NorthernLass I didn’t think you could have a different companion on the inbound versus the outbound if you’re using the same companion voucher on the return or intending to add the inbound to an existing outbound reservation with the aim of getting 50% of the Avios returned. Obviously if you are using a separate companion voucher then it is a completely separate booking.
I think BA will expect it to be the same person on both legs if you’re applying a 241 and might refuse to refund the avios. They might also try & be awkward about the discrepancy in pax numbers but you can push back with that because it’s not against the Ts & Cs.
Obviously, the OP can push back all they like, but unfortunately they don’t have a leg to stand on.
That’s not true – it’s perfectly possible, and within the Ts and Cs, to have a different number of passengers on the outbound and inbound. I’ve done this myself.
You may have to separate out person 3, so they are on a separate (+ linked?) booking for the outbound, then the 2 on the companion voucher for the outbound can be the same as those on the return.
Thanks all, yes I was wondering that too re splitting the outbound (albeit its me + 2 kids so didn’t know whether would be able to do that)
That’s not true – it’s perfectly possible, and within the Ts and Cs, to have a different number of passengers on the outbound and inbound. I’ve done this myself.
Yes, you can have a different number of passengers on inbound/outbound on two separate bookings, but not when there’s a CV involved you are seeking to reclaim the 50%. Neither is in fact within the terms and conditions for the voucher but, by unpublished concession, BA allows the 50% refund. If they say no to either, you have no terms and conditions to fall back on a a passengers but BA does for its refusal.
It’s worth bearing in mind that when making these bookings, you are subject to the terms of the voucher, the redemption (and general) terms of the BAC, Conditions of Carriage and implied contract terms. You are looking at one set only. It’s not a pick and mix as you imply.
You’re conflating 2 separate issues. I did point out initially that BA would probably insist on the companion being the same person on both legs. This is not the same as having different numbers of pax on the outbound and inbound.
There’s nothing in the Ts and Cs to say there have to be the same number going both ways. I have previously made a booking using a companion voucher with 2 of us on the outbound booking and 3 on the inbound. When I called to request the 50% avios back the agent checked the Ts and Cs and agreed that they did not exclude this. I appreciate that in theory BA could refuse to refund the avios as this is an unwritten policy, but that’s a separate matter.
Update on this – I booked the return as planned, so ended up 3 x outbound on CW and 2 x inbound on CW. Called up yesterday (and again today) to sort out the rebate of half the inbound avios.
I was informed that one of the checks that they have to do for this process ensuring the outbound and inbound passengers are the same. Whilst 2 are the same, obvs the third passenger doesn’t exist on the return, which makes the whole thing very problematic. We’ve discussed a couple of workarounds, and will end up splitting the outbound booking (which has its own complications given it’s me and 2 children) so that the outbound and inbound can “match up”. Systems seem to be playing up at the moment so will complete this in a few days prob.
The agents i’ve spoken have been extremely helpful and knowledgeable, but are somewhat constrained by BA’s systems here! But getting there, and will avoid attempting this again…!
@jsto – I’m glad you got this resolved and landed upon a helpful agent to sort it all out. Splitting the bookings was/is the only option as correctly advised by some above, but it can only be done by calling owing to the children on the bookings.
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