Why is the Avios Shopping portal such a disaster?
I don't understand why the BA Avios Shopping portal is such a mess. I never have problems with other airline portals...
With BA:
There is a 35 day wait for credits to be posted (ridiculously long as it is) though they do have a few "speedy partners" (ok thanks...) Guys- get your contractual agreements in order... 35 days for credit is simply unacceptable. People forget (and they count on that!)
....Transactions often don't automatically post. One has to file a claim and then wait another 90-120 days (mark your calendars or else...)
Oh, but that's not it... in the meantime (or well after) transactions are reversed! Yes, reversed. File a claim (mark your calendars again for another 90-120 days for resolution and don't hold your breath)... So 8 months before you can be sure you've received credit. IF you have.
Pathetic.
Just went through this with 3 different vendors. Of the last three, two were *permanently* reversed. Bed Bath and Beyond and Groupon... calling you out here.
When I asked for a reason I was told the following:
"We have investigated your missing Avios request for your purchase at Bed Bath & Beyond and we are sorry to inform you that your transaction was rejected as the merchant reported that your last click for your purchase was not made via British Airways Avios eStore site but another marketing source, hence making the transaction invalid to earn Avios. We kindly ask for your understanding that the investigation result is advised by the retailer and that Avios are rewarded on a last referral basis. We’re sorry that we can’t offer you any further help with this."
Right. Because just as I was about to complete my purchase I navigated away from the site, opened a new window and started an entirely new, identical purchase, entering my information a second time... Not quite, people.
Clearly the vendors (Apple, Groupon, Bed Bath and Beyond and others) pay a commission to the Avios store for a referral and want to avoid doing so at all possible costs.
Why is this such an issue with BA? And what recourse does one have?