-
Yes sorry realise as IB flights cannot call at 1am! I don’t mind what class home I fly just need a SJO-MAD flight for April 2024. Once IB release their flight schedule would they appear on BA to book. Sorry for all the questions!
If your outbound was booked with 241 on biz? Can you then return in Eco?
You can mix the cabins, but IB haven’t put flights in for April 2024 yet … nothing showing at all except some Iberia Express routes across all there systems (for example no Alicante Madrid, but there is Mallorca Madrid on IB Express).
Tonight…er…this morning, will be my attempt to book the exact MEX-LON return day we want for next year, after booking the LON-SJO outbound a couple of weeks ago. It’s not the end of the world if I don’t get them – there are seats available on various other days – but would be cool to get some time in Mexico too if we can, so staying up this once.
I’m calling the Australian number (US shut, Japan not open yet), not sure if they’ll do the trick.
First time calling for this, normally just book what I can get but need the Easter timing and x4 tickets so here we are. Not sure what to say even. Hopefully not a big waste of my time
Cross posting from “how to return leg” thread… process was easier than I feared. I called the Australian line (opened at midnight so no faffing with just opened or just about to close issues). Got out through to an Indian call centre at about 0:55 after a minute. Another 2/3 minutes of verification and chat to confirm everything.
Knew exactly what I wanted despite my tired garbled explanation. Counted down to 1am, asked me be to be quiet whilst focussing on getting seats, then pulled both bookings into one and sorted avios and charges. No £35 fee obviously, which was also explained to me.
So for anyone saying to themselves “that seems a bit mad” well, it is, but if you absolutely positively need CW seats during holiday period on a particular day, there are worse things to go through than talking to very pleasant call centre experts at 1am.
I’d say though the best advice remains have alternatives in mind, oh, and don’t have kids (4x CW is more than twice as hard to get than 2x and will cost you BA charges up the wazoo!)
That gives me hope! So glad you got through and got the seats! I think if mine was BA I wouldn’t be as worried but as Iberia makes it more complicated!
Just a quick question? Do you think it is worth changing my outbound Iberia from SJO-MAD in Business to BA LHR-MAD-SJO in Business as I know it would cost more but would not spend out on a night in Madrid and also flight from LON-MAD. I then wouldn’t mind booking to fly home from SJO via MEX or GUA. I’m getting nervous waiting for these Iberia flights. Any advice welcome?
Just a quick question? Do you think it is worth changing my outbound Iberia from SJO-MAD in Business to BA LHR-MAD-SJO in Business as I know it would cost more but would not spend out on a night in Madrid and also flight from LON-MAD. I then wouldn’t mind booking to fly home from SJO via MEX or GUA. I’m getting nervous waiting for these Iberia flights. Any advice welcome?
I’d work out the taxes first
Yeah, charges (refuse to call them taxes) for that would be a LOT more, probably more than a cheapish night in Madrid and a short flight. The issue is more whether you’re willing to pay more, for a better guarantee of availability on BA vs IB, I guess. I haven’t been paying huge attention to the chat regarding whether it’s possible mix IB out and BA back, using 241; I’m assuming not, hence your question?
Also I’m a bit tired from last night so not totally compos mentis
Yes so the taxes would be the cash amount I would pay on top of using my avios?
Hi All. Similar issue here (but Economy so a bit easier). Booked an outbound flight LGW-SJO with BA on 26 March for my family (2 adults, 1 11 year old). not realising BA didn’t fly the return leg in April. I am presuming once Iberia flights come on, I can attempt to use Avios to pay for the return flight SJO-MAD-LGW in late April?
Or is American via Miami better / more reliable do you think?
I’d go with Iberia which probably works out cheaper and avoids you having to clear US immigration which you’d have to if connecting through Miami. If you’re using a 241 you may also struggle to book a connecting redemption through Miami (no idea if that can be done by phone or if they would refund the additional Avios on the BA leg only if combined with an American sector).
Yes so the taxes would be the cash amount I would pay on top of using my avios?
Based on an assumption that you’re flying business class on a redemption on both the LHR-MAD and MAD-SJO sectors… Taxes and fees likely to be around £165 more expensive (per person) for a connecting booking from LHR as opposed to two separate bookings. However you’ll save on the Avios required as you can then apply the 241 to the LHR-MAD sector. For two, valuing the Avios at 1p each, works out about £225 more so if its saving you a night’s accommodation and/or the stress of having to make a same day self connection worth considering.
However you’ll also have to pay a change fee (£35 per person) to amend it if you’ve already booked.
Thanks everyone. Any ideas when Iberia / American flights will be out for April 2024?
Thy did say once April 2023 was over.
oh wow I am so so happy to have found this thread. I have been waiting for flights to come out from SJO to LGW for April 18th 2024. Now I know why they won’t be coming out any time soon. I have booked part 1 of my journey .. from LHR to Madrid and am waiting like everyone else for Iberia to release April 2024 flights to Panama. My return was going to be SJO LGW but I can see now i will have to go back somehow via Madrid. What a shame.
I do think that BA don’t make it AT ALL obvious enough that the direct flights to SJO are only for half the year. You have to look quite carefully (and I am unusually careful)
I don’t want to come home via the US. Does anyone have any suggestions…San jose to UK on 18th April 2024.. seems like we all get told different stuff from BA/Avios customer service.
I don’t want to come home via the US. Does anyone have any suggestions…San jose to UK on 18th April 2024.. seems like we all get told different stuff from BA/Avios customer service.
I am in the same situation. As suggested above just wait for uploading April 2024 IB SJO-MAD flights – ideally shoud be 42.5k Avios+250EUR in taxes for OW C ticket in “off peak” dates. Looking like Iberia flights are scheduled throughout the whole year. Plus I believe IB hard product (A330 2-1-2) is better than BA B777 hard product (B777 “Gatwick Express” 2-4-2). And then there must be abundant choice of a flights MAD-UK I would have thought.
Just an update as I called Iberia this morning as was told that April 2024 flights may not be out until June! I don’t think they really know and are just guessing!
Just an update as I called Iberia this morning as was told that April 2024 flights may not be out until June! I don’t think they really know and are just guessing!
Whaaaat! That is mad
Suggest you book back from Panama City at the moment to give you piece of mind – those flights have just been released
e14 thanks for that.
If the SJO-MAD flights come out later and I want to change is it just the £35 fee? thankse14 thanks for that.
If the SJO-MAD flights come out later and I want to change is it just the £35 fee? thanksYes per person
Thanks so much, I have taken your advice and booked the PTY-MAD ticket and wait and see when the SJO tickets come out. I did have one question though as after I booked it the BA Exec club said the flight was Peak so that is why it was more avios but when I looked online it said on BA that it was an off-peak day. Is this something I should query? The flight date is 08/04/23.
Is this on IB? They have a different peak/off peak calendar).
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Popular articles this week:
