More BA Rules I Should Have Known [when purchasing an IT fare]
May 14, 2011, 3:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: BA Silver, SQ Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, and sometimes even Air France
Posts: 23
More BA Rules I Should Have Known [when purchasing an IT fare]
The Unintended Consequences of Booking a Car with a Flight
I booked 2 WT tks. LAX-PSA a while back for departure next week.
I checked on upgrading with miles and the system wouldn't let me.
Talked to Exec Club and was told that because I booked a car at the same time as the flight booking the system changed the fare bucket to "O" which is a consolidator/travel agent fare which is not eligable for upgrades. Without the car it books into a different bucket
On further questioning I found that if I had booked the tickets, logged out then logged back in I could have booked the car for only about 10% more and still retained all my rights to upgrade.
I think I also may have lost other unanticipated rights at the same time.
Should BA tell customers all this when making the booking?
I booked 2 WT tks. LAX-PSA a while back for departure next week.
I checked on upgrading with miles and the system wouldn't let me.
Talked to Exec Club and was told that because I booked a car at the same time as the flight booking the system changed the fare bucket to "O" which is a consolidator/travel agent fare which is not eligable for upgrades. Without the car it books into a different bucket
On further questioning I found that if I had booked the tickets, logged out then logged back in I could have booked the car for only about 10% more and still retained all my rights to upgrade.
I think I also may have lost other unanticipated rights at the same time.
Should BA tell customers all this when making the booking?
Last edited by mthek; May 14, 2011 at 3:08 pm
May 14, 2011, 3:10 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: ARN
Programs: Mucci Entry Level, BA Gold, EK Pleb, SK Pleb, QR Pleb
Posts: 3,585
Only the most expensive Y-tickets are eligible for MFU (Miles for upgrade). And then only if there are any award seats available on the flight.
Are you sure that you would have had an eligible booking class if not selecting a car? Are you sure there are award seats on this specific flight?
Are you sure that you would have had an eligible booking class if not selecting a car? Are you sure there are award seats on this specific flight?
May 14, 2011, 3:14 pm
#3
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,213
Yes, whenever you add a car rental or hotel stay when booking flights, the combined booking is classed as an "Inclusive Tour". IT fares are ineligible for the purpose of upgrading with miles. You might still be offered a cash upgrade. Worth checking MMB or at LAX.
If it's any consolation, only the most expensive WT fares (Y, B, H) can be upgraded with miles, so had you separated your flight and car rental reservations you probably would be in the same boat you're in now.
If it's any consolation, only the most expensive WT fares (Y, B, H) can be upgraded with miles, so had you separated your flight and car rental reservations you probably would be in the same boat you're in now.
May 14, 2011, 3:24 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,924
Really? So you were looking at the H-class fare (the lowest MFUable fare), which on LAX-PSA which costs $2,261 per person r/t?
May 14, 2011, 3:29 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: BA Silver, SQ Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, and sometimes even Air France
Posts: 23
Only the most expensive Y-tickets are eligible for MFU (Miles for upgrade). And then only if there are any award seats available on the flight.
Are you sure that you would have had an eligible booking class if not selecting a car? Are you sure there are award seats on this specific flight?
Are you sure that you would have had an eligible booking class if not selecting a car? Are you sure there are award seats on this specific flight?
I think that the original fare was in one of the other discount economy fares but I was just hoping to snatch one of the rare but sometimes possible last minute upgrades.
I also found that the O is not even upgradable with cash.
May 14, 2011, 4:06 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,924
Says who?
I just replicated your LAX-PSA flight+car booking, and it gives the fare rules:
Time/date changes permitted at any time except on days of travel for a change fee of $275.00 per person or an upgrade fee of $275.00 plus any difference in fare
I just replicated your LAX-PSA flight+car booking, and it gives the fare rules:
Time/date changes permitted at any time except on days of travel for a change fee of $275.00 per person or an upgrade fee of $275.00 plus any difference in fare