Had this happen twice in the last 12 months:
Booked an intra-Europe cash+miles award online on ba.com. Got a booking confirmation, everything seemed OK.
Before departure, the online check-in refuses to work because "no ticket number has been issued" (the reservation is still there). A call to BA reveals there was a problem charging my credit card, while the credit card issuer says there was not even an attempt by BA to charge it. While sorting this out on the phone, they manage to charge the very same credit card without any problems. When I finally get to check in, the best seats are of course already gone
One day this will happen on a Sunday (with the hotline closed), and I will not be able to travel and probably also lose the miles
Am I just unlucky, or does this problem happen often? Do you always check that your reservation has been ticketed?