[zio]

Of course- apologies!

Just done a dummy booking…OP’s co-pay should have been £450. Hopefully there was no funny business about paying a phone charge since the web site was having trouble with the voucher.

[zio]

95k is “correct” for PE (see Rob’s chart https://www.headforpoints.com/2023/02/13/how-many-avios-points-do-i-need-to-fly-to/ ).

You could have asked about other fewer-avios-more-cash options.

[zio]

Yes, keep trying. I am equidistant from two Co-ops. One won’t take any card payments at its Paypoint. The other is very accommodating 😀

[zio]

Thread I started here, but only relates to the IC. https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/ic-porto/
I also couldn’t find other Porto threads, which is strange as in general there seems a lot of love on here for the city.

[zio]

Well, my mistake, there has been a very recent account of being able to use 2 vouchers at once https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/using-two-barclays-upgrade-vouchers/ though it came with a simultaneous fail on another account. BA IT.

[zio]

Well this is a turn-up…though not immediately much use for the OP.

Maybe I have missed it, but I don’t think we have had any previous reports of successfully being able to select/use 2 vouchers at once, even if two check-boxes appear in the pop-up.

Now having 2 vouchers in my account and being reminded by this question, I have just done some dummy bookings (via the web-site on a desk-top, using Edge).

I have been able to select 2 vouchers to upgrade 2 return flights.
I have been able to select 2 vouchers to upgrade 4 single flights.

I have not been able to select 2 vouchers if trying to upgrade 2 outbound legs (with the hope of adding a return which is currently more than 355 days out). Remember, most (all?) reports have been that you won’t be allowed to use a voucher to later upgrade return flights from outside the UK if you have only used one voucher on two outbound flights. i.e. you have to book separately one voucher/person in this situation.

@sonny you are doing it right going via “Book & Upgrade” rather than the “Book with Avios” tab. Before today I would have said book separately, but given my dummy bookings I suggest using a different device/browser. And keeping your fingers crossed.

[zio]

Well, if you are lucky and there is avios availability showing on a flight to Tokyo you can nab that flight. But if you mean can we do this on one booking, mixing an avios and a cash ticket then I’m afraid the answer is no.

[zio]

Further warning about the M25 this weekend. A colleague who lives very close to the official (signposted) detour says that it passes through a single lane traffic light controlled bridge. It may turn out to be a Y2K non event, but it sounds madness to be trying roads in the vicinity this weekend.

[zio]

On the contrary, credit cards, including Amex, are very much accepted at many co-op paypoints. You just need to find a friendly one.

[zio]

Was it ever said that pro-rata refunds were stopping at the of Feb? I thought Rob’s info was that they wouldn’t stop before the end of Feb… and he has said in the last couple of days that he strongly expects them to continue into March.

[zio]

No benefit to holding off as the statuses don’t run a calendar year from when you activate them.
You may well find yourself pleasantly surprised by how… sticky… some of the statuses are.

[zio]

@meta Thanks for the tip that co-pay is now aligned whether booking via BA or IB. I’d missed that.
Isn’t business off-peak MAD-LIM-MAD 85k avios though (+£211)?

@tootsci no harm at all with a cheapo fare out to Madrid to save the avios. Just to be clear, it’s generally recommended to book the return back to LON to “protect” the connection and get luggage checked through. Maybe if you are travelling HBO you aren’t so concerned with that, but I’d say it’s worth it (and you can also check out the lounge at Madrid which I seem to remember was reviewed recently).

[zio]

One way or another I think you are flying business!

You can always choose one of the “more pricing options” when you have selected your flights and are given the “total price”. This will not necessarily give you the best “value” overall, but if it’s what you want from your avios you should be happy.

If you are flexible on dates, it will not only be cheaper to visit MP on an off-peak date after the school Easter holiday, but the weather will be more reliable in May (or end of April).

If you don’t have the Iberia account active you can’t take advantage of the lower charges “starting” your journey in Madrid, but since BA don’t fly direct to Lima you would be changing in Madrid anyway. In most people’s opinion this is a good thing as you will be on Iberia for the long flight.

I’ve just done a dummy booking off-peak return to Lima (Iberia flights LON-MAD-LIM) 110,500 avios + £454 so it sounds like you are there even without losing value with one of the lower-avios-higher-charges options. However @meta is right that the best thing is to book 3 separate legs.

Open that IB account now so it is there next time! I think you also have to make a credit to it as well; I’m sure Rob has done an article on what sort of activity will activate the account.

[zio]

Welcome to the forum (and well done on posting successfully without a duplicate!).

You’re right, there are a lot of things to consider, and you are jumping in at the deep end thinking about an ex-EU open jaw.

Two further pieces of info will help clarify your options with what you have collected so far:
How many of you travelling?
Do you have an “active” Iberia account more than 90 days old? (Needed to transfer your avios over).

[zio]

You are safe to cancel once you have the voucher in your BA account.

[zio]

It is the latter. I have had very similar messages about every 8 months, on average, since becoming a premier customer. Legit, but totally safe to ignore.

[zio]

I stayed at the IC Porto in October and they said the building works outside wouldn’t be finished before 2025. Certainly an eyesore but didn’t (for me) detract from my enjoyment of the city or the hotel (upgraded room and staff were very good).
Driving the A1 (toll road) between Lisbon and Porto was very easy, but since a car really isn’t much use if you are going to be in the city the train is probably preferable.

[zio]

sp59 wrote:

We live near London and sorry if I’m being dim, but are you suggesting I book a through ticket from Edinburgh via City airport but then don’t use the EDI bit? In order to find it easier to book a LHR to SYD 241 ticket?

Out of interest, how bad is the BA experience to Sydney?

The 241 can open up more redemption seats from regional airports. While you would be fine if you did happen to miss the return to (eg) EDI, be aware that you can’t miss the initial flight from EDI. That would mean the whole itinerary being cancelled, which would be very sad indeed.
If, as a London resident, this idea still seems interesting, do not book your outbound via LCY and LHR!

BA business class to Sydney is no better or worse than you experienced to SA. There is just a bit more of it. While it isn’t “best in class” it is a favourite trope here to run down the BA product. The reality, as you’ve discovered, is it’s immeasurably better than doing the journey in economy.

[zio]

Thank you for posting your experience- it’s always useful to hear what has been successful.

Having read your post, which uses the word “lottery”, on the 241 thread it is a bit depressing how random the experience can be. I’m glad you (eventually) got 3 suitable tickets with vouchers applied.

[zio]

If you are searching for “Livingstone” airport it is worth noting it has changed name. IATA code remains LVI though so if you are searching with that it won’t be the reason you are struggling.
Last time I used proflight Zambia from Lusaka, but I’m sure Ethiopian also fly from LUN.
As above, you need to decide which side of the falls you are aiming for. There is definitely a thread on this in the destinations forum.

[zio]

ARCC = Amex rewards credit card. Rob’s review here https://www.headforpoints.com/2023/04/02/review-american-express-rewards-credit-card-4/
MR = Membership Rewards (ie Amex points)

[zio]

@RV There were some undeniably interesting moments: I wouldn’t drive in the dark from Cusco as you could lose a cow down some of the potholes; there was a road closure so that leaving Moray meant a cross country detour quite far from anything known to Google maps – I just followed the dust cloud in front; and I totally recognise @meta’s experience at Salinas.
For all that I would absolutely hire a car again. The flexibility and freedom are unbeatable.
As @massacio says, it’s all about expectations and confidence.

Edit- forgot to say… enjoy it! I’m sure you’ll have a fabulous time.

[zio]

No change fee was mentioned, and I certainly would have pushed back if it had been. Different product of course, but the request (adding a return as it opens up at T-355) is exactly analogous to a well established process with the amex voucher. And it isn’t possible to do this online without a call.

[zio]

@PeteM Thank you very much for taking the time to post all this information. Some really useful thoughts and insights here. Cairo and the Nile are definitely on the list in the next couple of years.

[zio]

Anonymous wrote:

Zio,

The number you used 0344 do you mean 0344 493 0747?

Thank you.

That’s the one.