Where can I use my 241 voucher?

[shaunpond]

Hi, I’ve got a new 241 (any cabin) voucher, and I understand that I can only use it on BA-operated flights, so that I can’t use it for a return say London – Ho Chi Minh City. What’s the best resource please, to be able to see where I *could* fly to using the voucher?

Many thanks

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

A google search for “where do BA fly to” comes up with this

https://www.britishairways.com/en-de/information/flight-information/our-route-network

[ed_fly]

A quick look on the numerous guides on this website, will provide you some more info on how you can use the 241.

[MrWhite]

You can also use the voucher on Aer Lingus and Iberia.

Even if there are no direct flights to your chosen destination, you could always use the voucher for part of your journey. For example, LGW->BKK (return) before getting another flight to Vietnam

[can2]

shaunpond wrote:

Hi, I’ve got a new 241 (any cabin) voucher, and I understand that I can only use it on BA-operated flights, so that I can’t use it for a return say London – Ho Chi Minh City. What’s the best resource please, to be able to see where I *could* fly to using the voucher?

Many thanks

Apart from the route network, for some of these popular routes you may need to book much much ahead — which can be pretty tricky.

[shaunpond]

BA Flyer IHG Stayer wrote:

A google search for “where do BA fly to” comes up with this

https://www.britishairways.com/en-de/information/flight-information/our-route-network

Thanks but that doesn’t just show BA flights AFAICS

[shaunpond]

MrWhite wrote:

You can also use the voucher on Aer Lingus and Iberia.

Even if there are no direct flights to your chosen destination, you could always use the voucher for part of your journey. For example, LGW->BKK (return) before getting another flight to Vietnam

My concern about that would be that it’s be 2 separate bookings, and thus my problem if there’s an issue with making it in time for the onward flight (plus a reduction in value for money on the voucher 😜)

[shaunpond]

can2 wrote:

shaunpond wrote:

Hi, I’ve got a new 241 (any cabin) voucher, and I understand that I can only use it on BA-operated flights, so that I can’t use it for a return say London – Ho Chi Minh City. What’s the best resource please, to be able to see where I *could* fly to using the voucher?

Many thanks

Apart from the route network, for some of these popular routes you may need to book much much ahead — which can be pretty tricky.

I’m prepared for the 355 days ahead early morning if necessary 😉

[NorthernLass]

Yes, you would need to build in time for a connection, but that’s an opportunity to have a couple of days in another place for me.

I’m not sure I get your point about reducing the value of your voucher – you can’t use it to get all the way to Vietnam so you’re only going to be able to use it over a certain distance anyway.

A popular HFP view is that you should use the voucher to go somewhere you actually want to and not get too hung up on how much money you’re saving (though that is undoubtedly part of the fun).

If you really want to get the most bang for your buck, though, try for SYD, then return via HCMC and a BA route like BKK/HKG/SIN?!

Also consider IB, though they don’t have many Far East routes (Japan and Philippines??)

[Alex G]

Avios availability, and indeed BA/Iberia flights, is scarce to the Far East. My last two trips have been routed via Hong Kong or Singapore, either of which make a good stopover for two or three nights on the way to/from Vietnam. But you are right, separate tickets offer you no protection if you are delayed, so I would want a two night minimum stay both outbound and return.

But even at t-355, a voucher is not going to get you to HCMC, as BA do not fly there.

[NorthernLass]

According to flight connections, CX fly HKG-SGN in 2 hours 40, so not too far away and possibly another opportunity to use avios. HKG is also an exciting destination in itself, of course.

[memesweeper]

Alex G wrote:

But you are right, separate tickets offer you no protection if you are delayed, so I would want a two night minimum stay both outbound and return.

This is a visual guide to BA routes: https://www.flightsfrom.com/BA

I’d not be padding with two or three days either side of a connection. Perhaps a little less risk averse than others here! If you are connecting from (say) Bangkok to HCMC there are many flights a day — if you miss your connection it really isn’t a disaster, just an added expense. Getting home might warrant a little more time as missing the long leg would be a costly problem to fix. My last unprotected connections were outbound from London 4 hours, inbound 18 hours (including an overnight). Some airports are much better than others for self-connecting.

Some insurance can reduce the cost of misconnecting, but only if the reason for the missed departure is an insured event, which is never guaranteed. There’s limited help in the form of travel inconvenience cover on the BAPP for instance.

[Alex G]

Personally, I’m very risk adverse. On my last flight home, I had 3 hours between arriving into HND on a JAL domestic, and departing on AY. Separate tickets. As well as making sure my travel insurance covered missed collections, I had a contingency reward flight booked for three days later, which I cancelled once checked in for my planned flight. £70 well spent IMO.

Of course, JAL were on time and even checked my luggage through to London, so the transfer at HND was easy and relaxed. But I wouldn’t risk a 3 hour transfer on separate tickets normally. Delays of 24 hours on BA are often reported on here.

[shaunpond]

NorthernLass wrote:

Yes, you would need to build in time for a connection, but that’s an opportunity to have a couple of days in another place for me.

I’m not sure I get your point about reducing the value of your voucher – you can’t use it to get all the way to Vietnam so you’re only going to be able to use it over a certain distance anyway.

A popular HFP view is that you should use the voucher to go somewhere you actually want to and not get too hung up on how much money you’re saving (though that is undoubtedly part of the fun).

If you really want to get the most bang for your buck, though, try for SYD, then return via HCMC and a BA route like BKK/HKG/SIN?!

Also consider IB, though they don’t have many Far East routes (Japan and Philippines??)

we might be putting the cart before the horse, as we’re asking “where can we go?”, then deciding what we’d do if we went there!

[shaunpond]

Alex G wrote:

Avios availability, and indeed BA/Iberia flights, is scarce to the Far East. My last two trips have been routed via Hong Kong or Singapore, either of which make a good stopover for two or three nights on the way to/from Vietnam. But you are right, separate tickets offer you no protection if you are delayed, so I would want a two night minimum stay both outbound and return.

But even at t-355, a voucher is not going to get you to HCMC, as BA do not fly there.

Thanks – we might look at Singapore as our destination – we’ve not been there for over 30 years, and even then it was only a day and a half!

[shaunpond]

Alex G wrote:

Personally, I’m very risk adverse. On my last flight home, I had 3 hours between arriving into HND on a JAL domestic, and departing on AY. Separate tickets. As well as making sure my travel insurance covered missed collections, I had a contingency reward flight booked for three days later, which I cancelled once checked in for my planned flight. £70 well spent IMO.

Of course, JAL were on time and even checked my luggage through to London, so the transfer at HND was easy and relaxed. But I wouldn’t risk a 3 hour transfer on separate tickets normally. Delays of 24 hours on BA are often reported on here.

Agreed – thanks

[shaunpond]

memesweeper wrote:

Alex G wrote:

But you are right, separate tickets offer you no protection if you are delayed, so I would want a two night minimum stay both outbound and return.

This is a visual guide to BA routes: https://www.flightsfrom.com/BA

I’d not be padding with two or three days either side of a connection. Perhaps a little less risk averse than others here! If you are connecting from (say) Bangkok to HCMC there are many flights a day — if you miss your connection it really isn’t a disaster, just an added expense. Getting home might warrant a little more time as missing the long leg would be a costly problem to fix. My last unprotected connections were outbound from London 4 hours, inbound 18 hours (including an overnight). Some airports are much better than others for self-connecting.

Some insurance can reduce the cost of misconnecting, but only if the reason for the missed departure is an insured event, which is never guaranteed. There’s limited help in the form of travel inconvenience cover on the BAPP for instance.

We’re not confident travellers – if we had a layover, unless it was booked on one ticket, I’d want a day or 2 to reduce the knock-on effect of missing a connection, and that just adds complexity 😉

[MrWhite]

You can use flightconnections and filter to a single airline to get a general view. I’d check any routes you are interested in on the airline’s own site after as it’s not 100% accurate (especially for seasonal routes)