EI booking via Avios -- no changes?
Aug 3, 2017, 3:19 pm
#1
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EI booking via Avios -- no changes?
Tried today to change the return TATL portion of an Avios ticket on Aer Lingus. Expected to pay a fee, but was told by agent their contract with EI does not permit any such change (BA yes/EI no). Anybody had similar experience? If so, def a case of Buyer Beware!
Aug 3, 2017, 4:35 pm
#2
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Not an EI question. One for BA forum.
Aug 4, 2017, 1:07 am
#3
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Avios is now Aer Lingus's currency, too, shared with BA, Iberia and Meridiana. The booking was made on Aer Lingus.
Why would this be a BA question?
(To the OP: no idea, but if that's what Avios tell you, then that must be the case. Did you hang up and call again?)
Why would this be a BA question?
(To the OP: no idea, but if that's what Avios tell you, then that must be the case. Did you hang up and call again?)
Aug 4, 2017, 6:08 am
#4
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EI Avios tickets are issued on 125 BA paper and thus Aer Lingus have no authority to make any changes to them.
Aug 4, 2017, 6:13 am
#5
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Hence, if there is an issue, it is one that affects only EI. Hence this is the correct place to ask about it...
Aug 4, 2017, 6:30 am
#6
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(To the OP: no idea, but if that's what Avios tell you, then that must be the case. Did you hang up and call again?)[/QUOTE]
Yep...in fairness Avios agents very helpful, apologetic.
Yep...in fairness Avios agents very helpful, apologetic.
Aug 4, 2017, 6:52 am
#7
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Went looking on the Aer Lingus website for their T&Cs for Aer Club bookings.
Those say:
11. Redeeming Avios points
11.1.
Avios points may be redeemed by Members for Rewards provided by Aer Lingus and Service Partners. Avios points are redeemed with AGL. The methods available to Members to redeem their Avios points and access Rewards are set out in the AGL Conditions of Use - Using Rewards. Rewards may vary depending on the country in which the Member is resident. For details see the AGL Conditions of Use.
Those AGL conditions of use themselves state:
Nowhere can I see that it is "otherwise stated". I would ring them back and point them to their own T&Cs, and ask why they are not allowing you to change/cancel [for a fee] as appears to be allowed by the T&Cs accessible via the EI website. Is it because, for some technical reason, they currently can't do this? Is it because it is not allowed (and if not, why not? Ask them to show you where it is otherwise stated that EI awards cannot be changed/cancelled, as this appears to breach their posted T&Cs).
Those say:
Originally Posted by Aer Club T&Cs
11. Redeeming Avios points
11.1.
Avios points may be redeemed by Members for Rewards provided by Aer Lingus and Service Partners. Avios points are redeemed with AGL. The methods available to Members to redeem their Avios points and access Rewards are set out in the AGL Conditions of Use - Using Rewards. Rewards may vary depending on the country in which the Member is resident. For details see the AGL Conditions of Use.
Originally Posted by Avios Group Limited - T&Cs
G.5.13. Changes to bookings for Reward travel on flights operated by Airline Partners are permitted via our Customer Services Department only in respect of date, time, class and service. Such changes may only be made by the Member or an individual nominated in accordance with Section B.4.6. If more than one price option is available for a flight, it is not possible to change the price option chosen by a Member after a booking has been made. All permitted changes are subject to capacity limitations and may not be made after the time 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure of the first flight in the Reward travel itinerary. Unless otherwise stated a per person fee of £35 will be payable for each permitted change. For the avoidance of doubt, name changes are not permitted.
G.5.14. The route applicable to a Reward travel booking may be changed provided that the new route selected would, as at the date the change is requested, require the redemption of the same amount of Points and/or cash as was redeemed in making the original booking. Route changes are only permitted for Reward travel bookings which (other than for the payment of taxes, fees and charges) are purchased using Points only.
G.5.15. Unless otherwise stated a per person fee of £35 will be charged if bookings for Reward travel on Airline Partners are cancelled by the Member prior to departure. Provided a cancellation is made more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure of the first flight in the Reward itinerary the Points charged for the Reward will be re-credited to the Member's account.
G.5.14. The route applicable to a Reward travel booking may be changed provided that the new route selected would, as at the date the change is requested, require the redemption of the same amount of Points and/or cash as was redeemed in making the original booking. Route changes are only permitted for Reward travel bookings which (other than for the payment of taxes, fees and charges) are purchased using Points only.
G.5.15. Unless otherwise stated a per person fee of £35 will be charged if bookings for Reward travel on Airline Partners are cancelled by the Member prior to departure. Provided a cancellation is made more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure of the first flight in the Reward itinerary the Points charged for the Reward will be re-credited to the Member's account.
Aug 4, 2017, 6:57 am
#8
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It is not possible to change Avios bookings after departure.
That is why, if you think you are going to have to make changes to the return section, you should instead book the trip as two one-ways.
Aug 4, 2017, 7:08 am
#9
Join Date: May 2016
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Okay but Aer Lingus Avios tickets are ONLY issued on BA paper, not sure why but thats the way it is right now. And sure never mentioned the fact that they can't be changed, merely pointed out the fact that Aer Lingus cannot do anything with them, they can't even see the details as they are for all intensive purposes British Airways tickets.
Last edited by Drums; Aug 4, 2017 at 7:14 am
Aug 4, 2017, 7:14 am
#10
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Aug 4, 2017, 1:40 pm
#11
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There is a curious setup which allows BA to issue EI tickets on 125 stock on EI prime code (i.e. no BA flights at all). This has been the way for a long time.
Sounds like a horrible IT hack to avoid spending any money on Avios interfacing with Astral
They must show up in Astral so EI must be able to see them as the seat is sold, just a case of finding it
Sounds like a horrible IT hack to avoid spending any money on Avios interfacing with Astral
They must show up in Astral so EI must be able to see them as the seat is sold, just a case of finding it
Aug 9, 2017, 3:54 am
#12
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Avios bookings are changeable/cancellable for a £35 fee up to 24 hours BEFORE travel commences on the outbound. For this reason it is almost always better to book 2x one-ways. Taxes can be cheaper in this scenario in certain instances. If taxes/charges are less than £35 then nothing is refunded, but nothing is charged either.
OP - Im not sure why you couldn't change your flight. Had outbound travel commenced?
I think AGL act like a travel agent and issue tickets on BA stock, like high street shops used to do! Its not really a hack, just the easiest way to bolt EI onto the "Avios Platform". Even on the customer facing end its a bit ropey. You just hyperlink to the avios.com website to book. Anyone would think they didn't want people to spend avios....
OP - Im not sure why you couldn't change your flight. Had outbound travel commenced?
I think AGL act like a travel agent and issue tickets on BA stock, like high street shops used to do! Its not really a hack, just the easiest way to bolt EI onto the "Avios Platform". Even on the customer facing end its a bit ropey. You just hyperlink to the avios.com website to book. Anyone would think they didn't want people to spend avios....