Originally Posted by
techie
People who intend to take advantage of a system will find time. And I doubt that GCHs are short of Avios unless they earn and burn them. I am not saying there is a global conspiracy to do so, but I have read stories of people doing exactly that. Just like I read that some people make refundable bookings on airlines who offer discounted mile purchases with them and then, after buying a bunch of miles at a steep discount, the cancel the flight booking and keep the bought miles. If there is a way to game the system, there will always be those who find a way.
You get those taxes back if you cancel the flights.
I think that your view of people who are GCHs is somewhat warped. Most do not have stacks of avios to block book loads of flights and then cherry pick one later, and neither do they have the inclination to do so. Also, you are correct you get the taxes backs, but like the avios, you need to have enough money to have quite a large amount tied up in tickets until you do get them refunded. I really think you are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill here.
Everyone is allowed to cancel an avios booking remember, it is just that a GCH does not have to pay a £25 fee to do so. I think that even if GCHs had to pay the fee you would not see any difference in award seat availability - what you have suggested, if it does happen, is so insignificant that there is hardly any impact on availability.
No idea about the discounted miles thing you are on about. Doesn't seem to have any relevance to BAEC as far as I can see. I have never heard of a BA booking which also offered tied purchase of miles at discounted rates.