Finnair redemptions unavailable via BA?

[tobski]

Hi all, I am in the middle of trying to finalise holidays plans and on 18/12/23, I successfully booked a Finnair redemption through BA.
On 24/12/23, I then tried to book other legs etc and it seems all Finnair flights are now unavailable to book. It has been this way since then.

The site shows Finnair flights but if you click Economy or Business, you get the usual ‘BA are having issues’ error:

“Error – Sorry, there’s a problem with booking this journey online. You can try selecting other flights or contact us so an agent can help you book the flights you have selected”

I have tried with two different BA accounts on a multitude of different routes and many different dates and its the same error. I have also spoken to a BA agent who confirmed they were unable to book Finnair flights using Avios either but didn’t know why.

Does anybody have any insight or thoughts? Could this just be an Xmas IT issue and no-one is around to fix it? Could it be related to Finnair’s upcoming Avios change? I can see reward flights on Finnair’s website but do not have any of their current points to try a dummy booking.

Many thanks for any help!

[memesweeper]

I have no insight into what might be up (if anything) but I’d check Cathay/JAL/Qatar on the same dates/routes to see if it’s a widespread issue.

[nectar collector]

I’m thinking this other thread is flagging the same or similar issue……so not just you?

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/problems-booking-hel-with-avios/

[MariborKev]

I spoke to them on the phone in recent days about this – for a LHR-HEL-ICN redemption.

Basically, the system was throwing an error on the taxes, a very helpful agent got it sorted for me over the phone.

[fasul]

Unfortunately an ongoing issue… Found HKT-HEL-VIE on 21/12/2024 for 2 in C. Called BAEC – she was unable to tell me number of Avios nor taxes but I was provided with a booking reference and these 2 seats dissappeared from inventory. I can see reservation as pending both at BA and AY web. Next step should be an email from BA with a quotation and if OK then finilizing the payment etc over the phone with an agent again.

[oxfordblue]

This problem persists – I was looking at a redemption LHR-HEL-TLL today and keep getting the “Error: British Airways and its partners do not fly this route. Please consider alternative destinations or contact your executive club service centre”

Disappointing but unsurprising.

[Rob]

oxfordblue wrote:

This problem persists – I was looking at a redemption LHR-HEL-TLL today and keep getting the “Error: British Airways and its partners do not fly this route. Please consider alternative destinations or contact your executive club service centre”

Disappointing but unsurprising.

Isn’t HEL-TLL operated by Norra and therefore unbookable via ba.com? The call centre can do it though.

[Gosia44]

I had this problem. To book an avios flight with Finnair operated by NORRA you need to call BA. Important – tell the agent to change the search to ALL Airlines, not just Finnair as these routes do not pop up under Finnair.

I managed to book Finnair WAW-HEL-WAW operated by NORRA with avios for Novemenr 24. The agent wanted to charged me for a phone booking but I argued that I had no choice as there’s way to do it online. The fee was waved.