Leonard80

Hi Paul,

That's the only dates I can do so was just looking at getting away somewhere, would love Lisbon but no availability. pref somewere in Europe really

pauldb

In that frame, there's also availability to MAD, VRN, MRS or BLQ - all recommended by me! Accuweather has MRS as the warmest so I'd probably pick there, and requires the least avios.

Leonard80

Just checking that link you put above and it gives me an option to go from Manchester to Lisbon via Madrid.

How would i go about booking that, that would be perfect and i would be in the good books with the missus

pauldb

Sorry I should have pointed out that link will also show Iberia flights, especially if you don't choose non-stop. You can book those with avios, but not with the 241, and the taxes will probably make it a poor deal versus a direct LCC flight.

chrismk

Lucky you being able to book the inbound online!

I rang the USA at 12.45 on Sunday for a CW reward from SFO to LHR. I got through quite quickly to the Indian call centre who seemed quite clear as to what I wanted.
After spending what seemed like an age with the required security and booking details it then transpired that while he could check availability, he couldn't book it.
He would have to put me through to the Executive Club!
Having transferred me, I spoke to another agent who was about to start asking me all the same questions when I emphasised the urgency (it was now 01.04) and could he grab the seats please since they seemed to be still available and then we could sort out all the details.
He was successful and after providing more details told me he would put me on hold because he needed assistance with the adjustment of the taxes.
There followed a period of total silence which to my mind was suspicious and of course I had been cut off.
To make matters worse I noticed the 2 CW seats which had disappeared from the availability page had been reinstated.
The cat shared my foul and abusive language and I retired to bed only slightly comforted by the fact that they would most likely be still available at 6.00.
To make matters worse I quickly checked my (muted) mobile which was in the other room to discover they had called me!
Any benefit from the extra hour in bed was negated by me lying there festering at the lost opportunity.

So up again after what seemed like a few minutes later and I got through to the UK office very quickly where a delightful Debbie grabbed the still available seats and added them to the outbound booking.
All's well that ends well but not good for the blood pressure!

I suspect I pressed the wrong option (3) and inadvertantly spoke to the general enquiries, though the agent could have transferred me to the Executive Club at that point.
When after being cut off I called the number again I got through (around 01.25). I was told to ring 1-800-452-1201 Opt 2 Opt 1, which was the Executive Club direct line - which of course was closed!
Brownie points for their attempt to contact me on my mobile though.

Incidentally, the booking was made through my wife's account and adding myself as a nominee worked fine and she wasn't asked to speak to them!

KiteFlyerP

Good you got sorted in the end!

Think for USA flights its best to book the return via a call like you did anyway because of the high taxes/fees when originating from the states (least thats my reading of the wiki at the top). Still rubbish stressful experience.

I haven't booked the inbound yet, but will be trying online + morning call to apply the 2for1 to it. Will update the thread how I get on.

redshift27

vintagepilot

Only other (minor) downside of doing it this way is that it stays as 2 bookings with a £35 per person per booking if you need to change.

louie-m

Changes after flying the outbound - I believe (though I don't pretend to be an expert):
Upwards yes, downwards yes but without any return of Avios
Yes
Yes, as long as within the same Avios band
No Avios refunded and only true taxes etc (so no refund of BA's surcharges) less £35 canx fee p/p.

WorldClub

KARFA

No way around it sadly. You need to fly all outbound flights on the booking by voucher expiry.

WorldClub

skicowboys

Hi guys, there's availability on dates I want for next year for our 2-4-1, but my wife won't know her holiday dates until Jan. I know there is a £35 change fee for changes to dates etc. but how do I find out what the cancellation fee is if we book it now and then can't make the dates? (Does it tell me on BA.com somewhere for example) I believe the ticket price and the Avios will be refunded but wondering what the fee deducted would be to actually cancel. Sorry if this is a newbie question but it's something I've not com across in my time with BA. Thank you

firstlight

Book it now, you can cancel up to a couple of days before you go, you will get refund of avios and companion voucher for cost of £70 (35 * 2). Note the expiration of the companion voucher won't change. Changing the date to another flight or booking class (if available) will also cost £70.

Globaliser

Just to spell out explicitly what is implicit in firstlight's post: the cancellation fee is £35 per person, exactly the same as the change fee.

The deadline to cancel for a refund is 24 hours before the first flight in the itinerary.