Phone strategy to secure seats on release

[irstflyer]

Is there a recent thread/guide on this topic?
I tried searching forum but couldn’t find anything.
If not perhaps someone can answer following questions?

Scenario
I want to book 2 club world seats, to a fairly ‘in demand’ destination, using a pile of Avios plus an Amex 2-for-1 voucher. I propose to do this by dialling into BA phone lines 5 mins before the seats are released.

My questions:

1. If I have everything setup online, is being on the phone an advantage? I’m concerned that I could be a in a queue/on-hold while someone else takes the tickets
2. I’m gold status with BA, what number should I use? Will they be willing to sit on hold if I get through 5mins early, waiting for availability to drop? My past experience of calling BA has not been good, lots of hold music, lots of redirections (that seem to change every call depending on how busy).
3. When the outbound seats are released, I presume I can secure those immediately, then I have two go through same process a week later for the inbound leg?
4. Does doing this via two separate calls complicate anything with the vouchers/avios/tax? Will there be admin fee to add that leg?

Am I thinking about this right? Anything else I should consider?

[Gary]

1. Belt & braces so why not.
2. 5 mins is not quite enough I think as you need to clear data protection & advise them what you are looking for. Generally dial 15 mins prior to release should be ok unless BA phone line very busy.
3. Yes same drill one week later for inbound.. zzz. Unless you want to secure the inbound online and twitter them to refund. Avoid doing this for destinations with high charges for one way inbound (eg USA)
4. No admin fees. “Most” CSAs know what they need to do.

Good luck! It’s a tiring game but would be thankful when you are in those seats.

[Gary]

Addition reference as required https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/calling-the-ba-us-call-centre-to-add-return-flights-to-241-booking/#post-402458

[irstflyer]

Thanks Gary, you’re a star, appreciate the input