ignore, this whole post is irrelevant due to me mistaking MEL for MLE
Actually I have spotted the bigger issue here, which is the use of a 2-4-1 and this means an additional rule applies regarding open jaws - apologies to the OP I didn't spot this initially.
Firstly a 2-4-1 can't include non BA flights so starting back from MEL wouldn't be possible. This is a rule of 2-4-1 vouchers so not related to whether you are using a joker and/or GUF.
Secondly generally the jaw in a 2-4-1 open jaw can’t be more than either of the two flights. This is an additional rule which applies to 2-4-1 vouchers but doesn't apply normal reward bookings. So for LHR-AAA/BBB-LHR the distance for AAA to BBB can’t be more than either LHR-AAA or BBB-LHR. I suspect that rules out going to DXB and returning from Australia, gcmap.com can be a useful tool for quickly seeing flight distances. Perhaps LHR-DXB/HKG-LHR would work though?
EDIT: have had a chance to look at gcmp now:
LHR-DXB 3,421 mi
DXB-SYD 7,481 mi
SYD-LHR 10,573 mi
so you couldn't book LHR-DXB/SYD-LHR with a 2-4-1 as the surface sector (DXB-SYD) would be longer than one of the flights (LHR-DXB).
LHR-DXB 3,421 mi
HKG- LHR 5,994 mi
HKG-DXB 3,684 mi
And even LHR-DXB/HKG-LHR with a 2-4-1 wouldn't be possible as the surface sector (DXB-HKG) would be longer than one of the flights (LHR-DXB).
So in this case it seems to be the open jaw restriction for 2-4-1s that is causing an issue rather than any mixed cabin/GUF/joker issues.
Last edited by KARFA; Oct 2, 2018 at 6:14 am