BOS-DUB or DUB-BOS using Avios
Oct 20, 2015, 9:49 am
#256
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 12
Thanks for the update ExpertFlyer Voice! Great website too! It's been very helpful.
This Thursday I was finally able to nail down 2 biz seats over the phone, but not on the first try. Like before, we were able to go through the entire booking before getting to the reference number where the agent said the seats no longer existed. He in fact was the only rep I've talked to who said "Someone else bought the seats". The others just chalked it up to a computer glitch.
What is casting doubt on the glitch theory was that the tickets I was able to get were for the day AFTER the ones that were lost. So it doesn't seem like the agents were seeing phantom space and instead were indeed getting their seats pulled out from under them.
I've never encountered this before. I've been under the assumption that when an agent starts the transaction those tickets are held no matter what. It was odd and definitely frustrating over this past week but persistence paid off. Now I get to look forward to trying EI's new business class and their lounges both in Boston and Dublin (and also how smoothly my first time requesting checked-through baggage will go).
This Thursday I was finally able to nail down 2 biz seats over the phone, but not on the first try. Like before, we were able to go through the entire booking before getting to the reference number where the agent said the seats no longer existed. He in fact was the only rep I've talked to who said "Someone else bought the seats". The others just chalked it up to a computer glitch.
What is casting doubt on the glitch theory was that the tickets I was able to get were for the day AFTER the ones that were lost. So it doesn't seem like the agents were seeing phantom space and instead were indeed getting their seats pulled out from under them.
I've never encountered this before. I've been under the assumption that when an agent starts the transaction those tickets are held no matter what. It was odd and definitely frustrating over this past week but persistence paid off. Now I get to look forward to trying EI's new business class and their lounges both in Boston and Dublin (and also how smoothly my first time requesting checked-through baggage will go).
Oct 23, 2015, 12:17 pm
#260
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 12
I know it's been said many times that BA's inventory of EI award seats doesn't necessarily match United's availability but I'm assuming that if United shows no availability then BA won't have availability either. Does anyone know if this is true? Just trying to minimize calls to the BA desk.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Oct 26, 2015, 6:24 am
#261
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Up in the air
Programs: HHonors Diamond, BA Silver, Flybe, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 12
Hi Guys,
If there are no business class seats available, is it possible to book a flight with Avios and then use Aer Lingus' bid now pay later scheme to upgrade?
If there are no business class seats available, is it possible to book a flight with Avios and then use Aer Lingus' bid now pay later scheme to upgrade?
Nov 5, 2015, 2:30 pm
#263
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2
I know it's been said many times that BA's inventory of EI award seats doesn't necessarily match United's availability but I'm assuming that if United shows no availability then BA won't have availability either. Does anyone know if this is true? Just trying to minimize calls to the BA desk.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Dec 13, 2015, 3:54 am
#264
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 112
Glad persistence paid off! I had the same issue of getting all the way through to ticketing and then the BA agent saying EI had no availability! I find it hard to believe that someone else got the seats in all these instances! Now I'm not seeing availability in EI on the UA website for the dates I want so I'm reluctant to try again - although before UA had shown 4 seats available and BA said there were only 2 seats which ultimately EI said there none??? Very frustrating.
Jan 4, 2016, 8:56 am
#265
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: EI Gold Circle, A3 *G, AB Gold & 3rd place East Leinster High Jump (1996)
Posts: 45
I was pricing a DUB-BOS Y cabin return this morning and the BAEC agent quoted 25k Avios as expected, but the taxes seemed higher than anticipated at €120.70 p.p.
Anyone know if that figure is the standard charge on an economy return?
Anyone know if that figure is the standard charge on an economy return?
Feb 1, 2016, 1:08 am
#266
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 263
I'm sure the agents who consolidate the costs feel that they're simplifying information for the customer, but I would prefer that they take the time to say "The flight will cost X Avios, Y taxes, and Z fees". If they do that, it would remind me to request that the phone-booking fee be waived.
I made two RT bookings for BOS-DUB last July, paying in USD. For the first booking (when I forgot to have the phone-fee waived), each RT ticket was 139USD in taxes/fees. For the second booking (when I remembered to request the waiver) each RT ticket was 114USD in taxes/fees.
Feb 1, 2016, 3:06 am
#267
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,812
You don't get charged the phone fee if the normal functionality of the BA website is broken resulting in you being unable to do something online that you should be able to do online. However, if you need to do something that is ONLY ever available via phone, you pay the fee.
Some agents do waive fees for offline only functionality, but that's at their discretion.
Apr 16, 2016, 10:30 am
#268
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 272
Hello everyone
I try to book a flight LHR-DUB for 4500 point, but anyone know how much they charge for taxes on an award booking? i call British Airways two hour ago, and they say it will be $50 per person? is this seem right? i didn't book since it is so high for 90 min flight? thanks
I try to book a flight LHR-DUB for 4500 point, but anyone know how much they charge for taxes on an award booking? i call British Airways two hour ago, and they say it will be $50 per person? is this seem right? i didn't book since it is so high for 90 min flight? thanks
Apr 16, 2016, 11:36 am
#269
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,166
Hello everyone
I try to book a flight LHR-DUB for 4500 point, but anyone know how much they charge for taxes on an award booking? i call British Airways two hour ago, and they say it will be $50 per person? is this seem right? i didn't book since it is so high for 90 min flight? thanks
I try to book a flight LHR-DUB for 4500 point, but anyone know how much they charge for taxes on an award booking? i call British Airways two hour ago, and they say it will be $50 per person? is this seem right? i didn't book since it is so high for 90 min flight? thanks
Apr 16, 2016, 11:57 am
#270
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 272