Originally Posted by
GGLwannabe
Last year I was able to book honeymoon flights for my daughter and my new son-in-law using my avios, my GUF2, and my cash, but importantly, my daughter's companion voucher.
I've just tried to book them flights to Sydney for later this year in the same way, but with the difference that I'd be using my son-in-law's companion voucher, with everything else coming from and paid for by me, including this time, a space release.
I was told by the GGL line 'no can do'. I asked if BA policy on this had changed, and was told that the policy hasn't been changed, and the GGL team know this has been done previously, but the policy is now being enforced, and several agents have had their knuckles rapped for allowing this, as it against the strict terms of the American Express / BA Companion voucher scheme.
The only reference in the terms and conditions that I can find is:
"17. The Cardmember is responsible for paying any Taxes, Fees and Charges relating to their Companion Voucher booking. ......... All Taxes, Fees and Charges must be paid for using an American Express Card."
But if I'm to be able to use my GUF and space release, then I need to be paying for the ticket - avios, taxes, fees et al.
Clearly the situation would be somewhat different if the terms stated 'The Cardmember is responsible for the payment of ...", but does this term as worded above strictly mean that nobody other than the cardholder can pay the taxes, fees etc?
And if so, is there any way around this dilemma?
Firstly I assume your son-in-law has the companion voucher from the BAPP card? If not then he is limited to economy class only bookings. I am not sure if you are planning to book seats in Club or First but with a companion voucher from the free BA Amex card the most you would be able to upgrade to would be WTP using the GUF2.
That said I am not sure about the terms of the GUF2 but it is clear you intend to use your own Avios for the booking. I think that is in contravention of this clause:
18. Companion Vouchers can be used for travel on any route as long as the Cardmember has sufficient Avios to complete the booking for their desired journey.
Since you are using your Avios your son-in-law is not using any of his Avios, even if he had sufficient Avios to book the journey.
Also I assume you are phoning the GGL line to book this which may contravene this clause
22. Reward Flight bookings made with Companion Vouchers can only be redeemed online through the British Airways Executive Club Avios Reward Flight booking page and British Airways Executive Club app or through British Airways Contact Centres, and Companion Vouchers must be applied at the time of booking through your British Airways Executive Club account.
Unless your son-in-law is eligible to phone the GGL line in his own right I don't see how you phoning it will help.
As for a way around this are you and your daughter and son-in-law in a HHA? That way you would contribute Avios in proportion to the HHA towards the reservation ie pay the majority of the Avios. You may still have a restriction on using the GUF2 as you state that to use it you have to use your Avios and your status releases space. That said I don't think you are able to use your GUF2 for other travellers if you are not on the reservation yourself? So that would also be in contravention of the GUF2 terms and scupper your plan.