Clinic Thread – Why is BA’s award availability so bad? And why are the fees so high?
Jun 9, 2012, 9:18 pm
#526
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 29
Welcome to (posting on) FT, maulermark!If your 2-4-1 voucher is for award redemptions, then you need to be aware that BA now generally prices awards on a sector-by-sector basis so the "generous stopover rule" is academic, as you're paying separately for the next flight in any event.
Jun 9, 2012, 9:35 pm
#527
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 633
I was told recently that with the new sector approach for avios, BA no longer care how you route-- as long as you have the miles you can fly whatever route you want. I haven't entirely confirmed that but it seems plausible. However, I think there is a good chance you will only be able to book such routes by phone, which means you are limited to service center hours and have to pay extra fees for every booking/change.
You might also look at PHX as a departure city (maybe fly WN from SMF?)?
You might also look at PHX as a departure city (maybe fly WN from SMF?)?
Jun 10, 2012, 6:43 am
#528
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There was a big change in November 2011. Now most pricing is sector based. If you fly JFK-LHR-AMS, you'll pay separately for JFK-LHR and LHR-AMS whether or not you have a stopover at LHR. If you fly AMS-LHR-HEL, you'll simply pay separately for AMS-LHR and LHR-HEL.
Jun 10, 2012, 6:44 pm
#529
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: MUC, BER
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Just a quick question, since I'm not MFUing so regulary. Is it normal that I can't change my flight online anymore except for seat changes? When I'm MFUing one segment, can I still MFU another segment as long as there are award seats available? Thank you for your answers in advance!
Jun 10, 2012, 7:02 pm
#530
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 633
I guess the question is whether this rule applies even when using a 241, but it seems the general view is that it does.
Jun 11, 2012, 4:45 am
#531
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Jun 24, 2012, 7:32 pm
#533
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I had to make a change to an award booking online today. Bad enough that they charge me $40 for this, but they had the nerve to add tax to it as well. Ok, it was only $0.79, but still...
Jun 29, 2012, 1:25 am
#534
Join Date: Jun 2012
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Can you use Avios outside of BA?
I've been struggling to find a suitable redemption flight using my BA Miles/Avios for a few years now. Each time I search for a flight for a typical week's holiday I either find no redemption flights available or no suitable outbound or return for the dates I want (even though I search for up to 12 months ahead). I typiclly search for LHR->DXB or LHR->BKK return flights.
So, collecting Avios through BA is pretty pointless for me and I was wondering whether I could use the Avios points that I have already accumulated outside of BA?
So, collecting Avios through BA is pretty pointless for me and I was wondering whether I could use the Avios points that I have already accumulated outside of BA?
Jun 29, 2012, 7:39 am
#535
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Of course you can! Avios can be redeemed for free travel on any of BA's partner carriers, including AY, CX, and RJ.
Originally Posted by rumbataz
I've been struggling to find a suitable redemption flight using my BA Miles/Avios for a few years now. Each time I search for a flight for a typical week's holiday I either find no redemption flights available or no suitable outbound or return for the dates I want (even though I search for up to 12 months ahead). I typiclly search for LHR->DXB or LHR->BKK return flights.
So, collecting Avios through BA is pretty pointless for me and I was wondering whether I could use the Avios points that I have already accumulated outside of BA?
So, collecting Avios through BA is pretty pointless for me and I was wondering whether I could use the Avios points that I have already accumulated outside of BA?
Jun 29, 2012, 10:15 am
#536
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Jun 29, 2012, 10:23 am
#537
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I've been struggling to find a suitable redemption flight using my BA Miles/Avios for a few years now. Each time I search for a flight for a typical week's holiday I either find no redemption flights available or no suitable outbound or return for the dates I want (even though I search for up to 12 months ahead). I typiclly search for LHR->DXB or LHR->BKK return flights.
So, collecting Avios through BA is pretty pointless for me and I was wondering whether I could use the Avios points that I have already accumulated outside of BA?
So, collecting Avios through BA is pretty pointless for me and I was wondering whether I could use the Avios points that I have already accumulated outside of BA?
What dates are you looking for? Maybe availability hasn't opened up yet?
With award bookings it's good if you can be a bit flexible and book time off work around when you can find availability.
It's rare to find the exact dates you want, but with a little flexibility you can always find something.
Jul 4, 2012, 1:58 pm
#538
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
I think the rule of thumb is all things BA flow through LHR. With my 100k I think I am going to use 80k to Dublin on Aer Lingus and find a way to make 5k so I can fly from ORD - Caribbean (SJU or something) vacation @ 25k R/T.
No LHR and under $150 in fees. About a $3500-4000 Aer Lingus flight and a $500-600 ORD-SJU or ORD-MBJ ticket. So for $150 in BA fees I will have redeemed $4000-4500 worth of airfare.
Last edited by factory81; Jul 4, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Jul 5, 2012, 4:57 pm
#539
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You might also want to add that Avios are priced out per segment due to the fact that if not, it would allow routes such as YYC-LHR-TYO for 200K in J (published routing)
Jul 6, 2012, 3:59 pm
#540
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This seems like the proper place to ask this question. While I understand that award availability can be difficult, my general question is does BA release seats as it get closer to DOD? I have an F award booked ORD-LHR-AUH, no problem and I have LHR-JFK no problem, but my AUH-LHR is C 
using KVS, i can see that there is no award availability in F or J, but none of the seats are sold as of now in F. I've read enough to understand that this route isn't one of the more popular ones either. Do I have a decent change for 2 seats to open up in either J or F (this flight is Nov 16)? Thanks in advance and I am so excited for my first BA experience in F no less!
using KVS, i can see that there is no award availability in F or J, but none of the seats are sold as of now in F. I've read enough to understand that this route isn't one of the more popular ones either. Do I have a decent change for 2 seats to open up in either J or F (this flight is Nov 16)? Thanks in advance and I am so excited for my first BA experience in F no less!