Are the Avios.com/Ba.com eStores trying to rip you off?
#61
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: London
Programs: Newbie BA Gold
Posts: 570
I used avios estore a lot and lately BA more as the former is shutting. I've had tens of thousands of points back with at least 90% I think with no issue. I do operate on the basis of these and cashback sites that they are not guaranteed though, so I don't get any stress if something doesn't track, which inevitably will happen from time to time.
Things that I have found to make things track better:
- do not have any windows of the retailer open before you click the link from the ba/avios store. You can browse on the retailers beforehand and add things to basket etc, but make sure to close all instances of the retailer's windows before you click the ba/avios link.
- once you've clicked on the link and the retailer window comes up, do not close the window. Try not to open additional windows or tabs. Ideally checkout as quickly as possible. Maybe do all the browsing and adding to basket before you click the link per the first step above.
- if you've bought something and need to buy more from the same retailer again, make sure to close all instances of the retailer again and follow top two steps above.
Things that I have found to make things track better:
- do not have any windows of the retailer open before you click the link from the ba/avios store. You can browse on the retailers beforehand and add things to basket etc, but make sure to close all instances of the retailer's windows before you click the ba/avios link.
- once you've clicked on the link and the retailer window comes up, do not close the window. Try not to open additional windows or tabs. Ideally checkout as quickly as possible. Maybe do all the browsing and adding to basket before you click the link per the first step above.
- if you've bought something and need to buy more from the same retailer again, make sure to close all instances of the retailer again and follow top two steps above.
#62
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Surrey
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 211
Been using the BA estore a lot for most of my Christmas shopping, and despite having to submit missing avios claims after every purchase, for the most part the avios have been credited eventually. However, I have noticed they dont seem to credit for Just Eat and respond with the below after a missing avios claim is raised.
[Mod: image showing employee name redacted in accordance with privacy policy]
Anyone had any luck with food retailers?
[Mod: image showing employee name redacted in accordance with privacy policy]
Anyone had any luck with food retailers?
Last edited by NWIFlyer; Dec 17, 2018 at 4:54 am Reason: Privacy policy
#64
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Surrey
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 211
#65
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Sunny Wales
Programs: BA Gold (Oh yeah!)
Posts: 66
Not sure what your reply said (its been removed), but I find Just eat track within 24hrs and normally the points are paid within a week or so, certainly none of the 30+days with most retailers.
#66
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2,378
I used avios estore a lot and lately BA more as the former is shutting. I've had tens of thousands of points back with at least 90% I think with no issue. I do operate on the basis of these and cashback sites that they are not guaranteed though, so I don't get any stress if something doesn't track, which inevitably will happen from time to time.
Things that I have found to make things track better:
- do not have any windows of the retailer open before you click the link from the ba/avios store. You can browse on the retailers beforehand and add things to basket etc, but make sure to close all instances of the retailer's windows before you click the ba/avios link.
- once you've clicked on the link and the retailer window comes up, do not close the window. Try not to open additional windows or tabs. Ideally checkout as quickly as possible. Maybe do all the browsing and adding to basket before you click the link per the first step above.
- if you've bought something and need to buy more from the same retailer again, make sure to close all instances of the retailer again and follow top two steps above.
Things that I have found to make things track better:
- do not have any windows of the retailer open before you click the link from the ba/avios store. You can browse on the retailers beforehand and add things to basket etc, but make sure to close all instances of the retailer's windows before you click the ba/avios link.
- once you've clicked on the link and the retailer window comes up, do not close the window. Try not to open additional windows or tabs. Ideally checkout as quickly as possible. Maybe do all the browsing and adding to basket before you click the link per the first step above.
- if you've bought something and need to buy more from the same retailer again, make sure to close all instances of the retailer again and follow top two steps above.
#67
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: MME (midway between NCL and LBA)
Programs: BA Gold, AF/KL Gold, Hilton Gold, Nordic Choice Gold
Posts: 740
In my experience, the best way to make sure things track ok on these affiliate sites is to have a browser on your device that is used purely for cashback/avios. Do your shopping research on Chrome or whatever you use for your main browsing and then when you know what you want to buy, open up IE and click through from the cashback/avios site to do the transaction.
#68
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: South London
Programs: British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 215
75% of the time on Avios.com I had to email them due to a transaction not showing in pending, especially when using hotels.com. So far on Ba.com 100% of my transactions have shown on pending.
I have probably jinxed myself!
I have probably jinxed myself!
#69
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Surrey
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 211
#71
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Surrey
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 211
#72
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: MME (midway between NCL and LBA)
Programs: BA Gold, AF/KL Gold, Hilton Gold, Nordic Choice Gold
Posts: 740
I find I get a lot of benefit from TopCashback and the BA/Avios e-stores but the lack of transparency when it comes to the reasons for cancelling or refusing transactions is extremely frustrating.
I understand that it is not worth investigating when you are due 20 Avios on a 20 Pizza Hut delivery order but these referral sites need to understand that when I have a 1,000 Hilton hotel booking refusing my 8,000 Avios without explanation is not on.
I understand that it is not worth investigating when you are due 20 Avios on a 20 Pizza Hut delivery order but these referral sites need to understand that when I have a 1,000 Hilton hotel booking refusing my 8,000 Avios without explanation is not on.
#75
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: BA Exec Club
Posts: 2
BA estore pending transactions often not showing
I've only been purchasing regularly through the BA estore since December 2018, there have been 4 occasions where the transaction is not showed as pending even though there is a click ID transaction for the purchase to the website on the day. I have appealed 3/4 of these, only 1 has been moved to pending. They simply tell me I haven't clicked through the site which is ridiculous as there is a record on their visit history.
BA seam to blame the retailer, one of which was Clarins, I emailed them directly to query this with my evidence. That was 4 days ago. No response received.
Can't help but think this is a con, but not sure who is to blame?
BA seam to blame the retailer, one of which was Clarins, I emailed them directly to query this with my evidence. That was 4 days ago. No response received.
Can't help but think this is a con, but not sure who is to blame?