I'm very pleased
nufnuf77 is now back on track, but I'm concerned by the scare mongering in this thread about B2Bs. B2Bs are fine as long as you focus on preparation and planning - the aim is to minimize the risk involved:
- You need to make sure you do your B2B at a safe location (SVG is a great place for a B2B) - there's a thread highlighting which BA destinations are good for B2Bs.
- You need to do a bit of research about which terminal/gates are normally used, and the likelihood of remote stands being used.
- Think about what you would do if a problem arises. For example what would you do if your flight from LHR is cancelled? Who would you contact?
- And read up on other people's experiences of doing B2Bs at that airport.
Key lesson from the OP's experience (from what I can see), is to avoid the complication of mixing airline tickets/flights. If you are doing a B2B make sure it's ticketed by BA out and back. That way it's one simple phone call to sort out all problems. Appreciate sometimes AA might be a tad cheaper, but you've got to keep things simple. Why take the risk?
I used to try to maximise TPs through a three way trip from LHR and back (e.g. LHR-DUB-HEL-LHR or LHR-BRU-HEL-LHR), but that introduced a switch in airline (typically from BA to AY). I have now decided that unless you are staying over this is way too risky, (even though I haven't had a problem up until now). Although you gain some extra TPs, it costs a little more, and generally forces an extra night's stay somewhere.
I now only employ a straight B2B arrangement and make sure I ticket through BA. That allows me to maximise the benefit of ex-EU and minimize the risk of missing the start of my ex-EU trip.
Ultimately you need to assess the risk. If you don't plan carefully then there is a risk that the stress will take the shine off the trip you have looked forward to. In the worst case, you could end up losing your trip entirely. However prepare and plan carefully and there's minimal risk involved in B2Bs.
Enjoy the rest of your trip
nufnuf77.