Open Jaw and booking 2-4-1 Avios return via call centre/on-line?

[NeilM]

I’ve booked a BAPP 2-4-1 flight from LHR – EZE last month and trying to book return MVD – MAD -LHR in the next days.
I’m looking for advice on how to best achieve it. I managed to book the outbound successfully on-line and got the exact dates wanted, however it is not possible to book the return leg on-line, it states I need to ring.

I have tried test calls to US several times this week and have been in the queue for at least 30mins with no agent even when calling @23.30 GMT.

So I am wondering if it is possible to book MVD – MAD online and then later MAD -LHR and then call to get them added to the same itinerary to have bags checked through and finally to get them added to the outbound 2-4-1 and get the refund of Avios?

[NorthernLass]

Do the flight times work – sometimes the system won’t show availability if MCT would be breached?

Otherwise, book MVD-MAD online and ASAP call BA and ask for 50% avios back and MAD-LHR to be added. Be clear that you were getting the message that this couldn’t be done online, or they will charge you an admin fee. I’m guessing there might be an issue with mixing airlines.

I’m not sure why you’re calling the US number, best time to call IME is as soon as the lines open in the UK, around 7.30 – 8 am (exact time will be in the contacts area on ba.com).

DON’T ask for any kind of merging and linking of the 2 legs, this is not what they do. You simply need to explain that your inbound leg wasn’t available to book when you used your 241 on the outbound, and you are requesting a refund of 50% of the avios used.

[Jo Stovell]

I’m going to try and call US tonight to get two inbound flights SIN to LHR for 355 as already have the outward flights booked with my 241 Amex Voucher/Avios. What’s worrying me is no class of seats are showing from 1 to 5 Jan 2025 at all, been checking Seatspy & BA reward tools around 6:30am
My question is do they always release tickets or do done weeks not have any allocation? As most dates in Dec still show seats available.

[NorthernLass]

This was mentioned on another thread today re SYD – first week in January is when everyone comes home from Xmas/NY hols so seats will be getting snapped up at midnight. If you can wait a couple of days until the start of the spring term, you’ll have a better chance.

[Jo Stovell]

Thanks @NorthernLass we need to get back for work. I’m hoping calling tonight will be enough to get two seats? Also looking at flying back from Phuket to LHR via Doha on Qatar, this is showing on rewardseat finder in PE. Would BA let me use this as the return leg and reduce the Avios? Not ideal but a backup option!

[Jo Stovell]

@NorthernLass so do you think that the seats are just all going immediately each day, and they always release each day irrespective of the date?

[NorthernLass]

You can’t use the 241 on Qatar.

The likelihood is that they’re all getting taken at midnight. If you look at any popular destination, availability for the first week in Jan will be very sparse. Everyone’s trying to get back to work/school, like you!

Also not sure what you’re seeing as I don’t think QR has PE? Or is that DOH-LHR on BA? You could do that as an open jaw with a separate booking to DOH.

[NorthernLass]

As always, flexibility is crucial if you’re travelling at peak times.

[Jo Stovell]

Outbound connecting flights
British Airways with partners
00:35
5 Jan
HKT
Qatar Airways – QR0841
Non-stop
Economy
04:00
5 Jan
DOH
07:15
5 Jan
DOH
11:50
5 Jan
LHR

@NorthernLass This is showing as a reward flight at 90k Avios per person. So I’d be using this as my return leg?

[NorthernLass]

As I said, you can’t use your 241 on QR. You might want to read Rob’s article on which airlines you can use it on when you have time.

You would need to get to DOH on a separate booking, then book DOH-LHR as the return sector of your 241 booking. (I think this falls within the open jaw rules for distance)

[NorthernLass]

DXB would work as well but I think that will be another one where early Jan is in high demand. But basically any BA flight which complied with the open jaw rules would work.

[NorthernLass]

@Jo, did you get your seats? I noticed that another reader got 2 of them!

[Jo Stovell]

@NorthernlLass after a very nerveracking 1/2 hour I did manage to get two WTP seats on the flight I wanted back from Singapore!!!
The USA call centre was useless, got through at 11:45 and the lady wouldn’t wait after security so called back and couldn’t get through. Managed somehow to get them online.

I have also very easily got my 80,000 points refunded this morning by a very nice man at BA.

I will now attempt over the next few months to move up to CW. I’ve set up alerts on SeatSpy & Reward Seats website’s. At least I can now start planning my trip!

Thank you to everyone who runs this forum for valuable info and tips! ✈️😊

[NorthernLass]

Phew! You have done well for a newbie 😂. PE isn’t that bad, even on a long flight. We often pick it over CW on a night flight to save avios as we just sleep and don’t bother with the F & B.

[Scott]

MVD-MAD isn’t a super popular route. IME no need to call at midnight to get the business seats, even allowing for the fact that, as an IB flight, it will have been available for 5 days on iberia.com before you’re able to book through ba.com