BGI Award Non Availability
Jan 19, 2016, 7:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Barbados
Programs: AA PLT 6MM
Posts: 633
BGI Award Non Availability
For several years I have been redeeming AA miles for Club or First awards on BA from BGI to LGW in early December. This year there is no availability in either class on any date in November or December with AA miles or Avios. Is this reflecting higher passenger loads to/from Barbados or is there any chance of award inventory being released closer to December?
Last edited by becket5; Jan 19, 2016 at 12:53 pm
Jan 23, 2016, 9:11 am
#2
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: BA Exec Gold
Posts: 133
I agree completely. The reward availability in Club and First to Barbados has been switched off by BA. A disgrace. When we fly with BA frequently, to effectively end First and Club availability which is a location we want to holiday toit is infuriating.
BA have all but stopped any First or Business reward availability beyond November 10th 2016.
BA have all but stopped any First or Business reward availability beyond November 10th 2016.
Jan 23, 2016, 9:16 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
BA have a simple policy - 2 seats are released in club on D-355.
Once they go - they go. They might release more, they might not.
The fact there is only one day in November with any availability in club (the 18th) reflects that this is a very popular route.
Once they go - they go. They might release more, they might not.
The fact there is only one day in November with any availability in club (the 18th) reflects that this is a very popular route.
Jan 25, 2016, 3:21 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 243
Last year (December 2015) I was able to UuA from WTP to CW on my outbound flight but nothing opened up for the return so I paid to upgrade to CW.
I booked the original WTP flights in January and the CW avios availability opened up in March, the outbound flight was on the 5th December. I kept an eye on it, checking weekly, and as soon as I saw availability I snapped it up! Many people will book at -355 but plans change etc. so I'd say it's worth regularly checking as something may yet open up.
For my trip this year I thought I'd save myself the bother and just book revenue CW
I booked the original WTP flights in January and the CW avios availability opened up in March, the outbound flight was on the 5th December. I kept an eye on it, checking weekly, and as soon as I saw availability I snapped it up! Many people will book at -355 but plans change etc. so I'd say it's worth regularly checking as something may yet open up.
For my trip this year I thought I'd save myself the bother and just book revenue CW
Feb 28, 2016, 11:46 am
#6
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: BA Exec Gold
Posts: 133
British Airways have not released ANY CW or First seat to Barbados BGI in nearly three months. I monitor this route every day and also use industry tools to monitor release of fares.
Both the outbound and return sectors have no Z or U availability for departures beyond 10 November 2016, nor have they released any since the D-355 of that date, ie since late November last year.
To not release any CW or First redemption seats on this route is a disgrace.
Both the outbound and return sectors have no Z or U availability for departures beyond 10 November 2016, nor have they released any since the D-355 of that date, ie since late November last year.
To not release any CW or First redemption seats on this route is a disgrace.
Feb 28, 2016, 11:55 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 243
British Airways have not released ANY CW or First seat to Barbados BGI in nearly three months. I monitor this route every day and also use industry tools to monitor release of fares.
Both the outbound and return sectors have no Z or U availability for departures beyond 10 November 2016, nor have they released any since the D-355 of that date, ie since late November last year.
To not release any CW or First redemption seats on this route is a disgrace.
Both the outbound and return sectors have no Z or U availability for departures beyond 10 November 2016, nor have they released any since the D-355 of that date, ie since late November last year.
To not release any CW or First redemption seats on this route is a disgrace.
Feb 28, 2016, 12:06 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: BA Exec Gold
Posts: 133
I wish people would stop saying "BA guarantee to release 2 CW seats for redemption on each flight". It is not true, and it has not been for some time. It is just parrot repetition of an OLD policy that whilst is still out there is no longer being observed by. BA.
Feb 28, 2016, 12:11 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 243
They are NOT being released. Trust me. I fly this route regularly and have for years. I monitor it daily both through website and through alerting tools. The minute one comes available I would know.
I wish people would stop saying "BA guarantee to release 2 CW seats for redemption on each flight". It is not true, and it has not been for some time. It is just parrot repetition of an OLD policy.
I wish people would stop saying "BA guarantee to release 2 CW seats for redemption on each flight". It is not true, and it has not been for some time. It is just parrot repetition of an OLD policy.
Feb 28, 2016, 12:12 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,262
Are you checking the time when they are released? I.e. 00.00 / 01.00 hrs I've seen consistently the tickets being released in even the toughest routes; SYD LAX and these are often gone in seconds
Feb 28, 2016, 12:27 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Unless you're using particularly specialised alerting tools that most of us cannot get access to, you're unlikely to see the two U class seats that are released every day. The alerting services that I use only check once or twice a day, which is not often enough to see those, given how quickly they are booked.
Feb 28, 2016, 1:12 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: BA Exec Gold
Posts: 133
Something radically changed in November/December. Nothing being released in those classes. BA have in effect turned off the tap.
I have been booking BGI redemptions for over 10 years now; never, ever has it been like this. Historically you would be able to choose your date long after D-355. Say even 3 months down the line for U or Z and almost any date. I book up to 4 redemption trips a year to BGI. It has never been like this.
I have been booking BGI redemptions for over 10 years now; never, ever has it been like this. Historically you would be able to choose your date long after D-355. Say even 3 months down the line for U or Z and almost any date. I book up to 4 redemption trips a year to BGI. It has never been like this.
Feb 28, 2016, 1:15 pm
#14
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,616
Something radically changed in November/December. Nothing being released in those classes. BA have in effect turned off the tap.
I have been booking BGI redemptions for over 10 years now; never, ever has it been like this. Historically you would be able to choose your date long after D-355. Say even 3 months down the line for U or Z and almost any date. I book up to 4 redemption trips a year to BGI. It has never been like this.
I have been booking BGI redemptions for over 10 years now; never, ever has it been like this. Historically you would be able to choose your date long after D-355. Say even 3 months down the line for U or Z and almost any date. I book up to 4 redemption trips a year to BGI. It has never been like this.
Feb 28, 2016, 1:18 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 243
Something radically changed in November/December. Nothing being released in those classes. BA have in effect turned off the tap.
I have been booking BGI redemptions for over 10 years now; never, ever has it been like this. Historically you would be able to choose your date long after D-355. Say even 3 months down the line for U or Z and almost any date. I book up to 4 redemption trips a year to BGI. It has never been like this.
I have been booking BGI redemptions for over 10 years now; never, ever has it been like this. Historically you would be able to choose your date long after D-355. Say even 3 months down the line for U or Z and almost any date. I book up to 4 redemption trips a year to BGI. It has never been like this.