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Many thanks for the clarification.

Another quick question: I have a 4-2-1 issued on Dec 6, 2018 and flew the first leg on Oct 5, 2020, but didn't book the return flight. It now shows as having expired on Dec 6, 2020. My assumption had been that I could fly the return leg up to 355 days later than the outward leg, i.e. before Sept 25, 2021. Should I have BOOKED this return leg prior to its expiration on Dec 6, 2019, or will the fact that I've already flown the 1st leg extend its validity? Or put another way, is it dead because of the expiration date?

Finally, if I want a new First Redemption ticket using a 2-4-1 with a GUF2, am I correct that there are at least two methods:
(a) online if there is U and Z availability, and
(b) by phone if there is U and A or Z availability (clearly preferable)

London21

Hi

Can anyone confirm that the current best way to add a return to a 2 for 1 where the inbound wasnt available due to being outside of 355 days at point of booking is to book as a full 1 way redemption then get the call center to give back half the avios?

Or is the best way to call up and ask them to add at 1am?

Thanks

KARFA

Depends on where you are going. The first method is not recommended if going to the US. There are some comments about that in the wiki.

Globaliser

This is not very clear. But if what you mean is that the 2-4-1 was issued in December 2018, you booked a one-way trip for travel in October 2019, and you flew that trip when the booking was still a one-way booking, then the voucher has been used and cannot now be revived.

bakera

The return leg must be added to the booking before you complete the outbound leg.

parklife

I booked online and then got the avios refunded. It still remained as 2 separate bookings but I had no issues doing this. It also saved me a lot of pain as the 2-4-1 was in the wife's name

As Karfa says if it is for the US, you can still do this, but will not get the tax difference refunded so will cost you more.

London21

Thank you

It is for JNB so think is likely best way of doing?

parklife

According to the WIKI I don't think the taxes differ as the US/Canada are the ones that are called out. Worth trying some dummy bookings to make sure.

Assuming there are no negative differences in tax cost by doing it for JNB, then the one risk you have is someone on the phone could get the agent to hold the seats before you have finalised the booking. The other risk of doing it on the phone is getting an inexperienced agent who doesn't know how to do this - this happened to me the first time I called in the middle of the night - luckily I did manage to get the seats though!

London21

Thank you.

Yep - i am trying to weigh up weather to try online and just blast through as quick as possible vs. calling up.

The risk is, as you say, getting someone who doesnt not know how to do it.

Full Score

For bakera in post 1955:
Thank you for your succinct response. Very helpful.

Full Score

Yes, thanks. This is exactly what I meant. Good info.

Full Score

Using a 2-4-1 with a GUF2, am I correct in thinking that I can book First by phone if U and A are available, and not be dependent upon Z availability?

T8191

So I grabbed the outbound using the 2-4-1 last month ... Avios and £££ duly deducted (Payment date 14 Dec). Subsequently added the return leg[s], new e-ticket showing all sectors and Avios adjusted (Redeposit/Redemption, Payment date 31 Dec) .... but no additional £££ payment for T&F shown. And nothing [yet] on my BA Amex either.

I have NO intention of consulting BA, but is such a long [2-week] delay in charging £££ for the return legs normal?

pauldb

You probably haven’t had an email after the change either? The delay is in them re-ticketing your booking. It can take weeks but I don’t think it’s as much a problem as in the past.

Sadly it’s not a possible win for you. If it’s not re-ticketed you have no ticket for the return leg and from personal experience (a relative) that will take a lot of effort to fix at the airport.

So no need to chase them but two weeks from your trip I would get it fixed rather than hoping to get away with it!

London21

out of interest did you call to add the legs? Or do online at full avios then ask them to refund ? Thanns