BA American Express 2-4-1 Voucher Discussion
Jan 25, 2019, 8:23 am
#1216
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
In the wiki post, I read that the vouchers are "valid towards return flights only, with the journey originating from and returning to your country of membership (with the exception of vouchers issued in the UK which may also be used for one-way travel)". Does that imply that, once we move to Japan, we could change our country of membership from the UK to Japan and therefore we would be able to spend the two companion vouchers to book reward flights originating from and returning to Tokyo?
Jan 25, 2019, 9:15 am
#1217
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 7
Thank you for the quick and precise reply. I have a follow up question: if I move my BAEC membership to Japan, will I still be able to redeem the UK-issued vouchers as long as the trip originates from and returns to the UK?
Jan 25, 2019, 4:45 pm
#1218
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,598
For the first time since I’ve been doing this I didn't manage to secure the two seats I wanted on two consecutive attempts at T-355. It was for a SCL-LHR in January. 
I ended up keeping the outbound on the 2-4-1 and booking the return on IB via MAD. At least for now. More avios, but less cash.
I ended up keeping the outbound on the 2-4-1 and booking the return on IB via MAD. At least for now. More avios, but less cash.
Jan 27, 2019, 3:54 am
#1219
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: UK/TZ
Programs: QRPC Plat; Marriott Plat; Hilton Gold
Posts: 353
quick question I wanted to ask.. if I book a return can I cancel the inbound after flying the outbound or does the ticket become non-changeable after flying the first leg?
Jan 27, 2019, 4:51 am
#1220
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: England
Programs: BAEC Gold, UA Mileage Plus, Hotels.com Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Pizza Express Gold
Posts: 600
For the first time since I’ve been doing this I didn't manage to secure the two seats I wanted on two consecutive attempts at T-355. It was for a SCL-LHR in January.
I ended up keeping the outbound on the 2-4-1 and booking the return on IB via MAD. At least for now. More avios, but less cash.
I ended up keeping the outbound on the 2-4-1 and booking the return on IB via MAD. At least for now. More avios, but less cash.
If you want to save some Avios I'd recommend that - depending on dates BA Redemption Finder is showing 2 seats on the last few days available currently
Last edited by omk298; Jan 27, 2019 at 4:58 am Reason: Add quote
Jan 27, 2019, 6:34 am
#1221
Join Date: Jun 2003
Programs: BA, IHG, 5C
Posts: 4,413
For the first time since I’ve been doing this I didn't manage to secure the two seats I wanted on two consecutive attempts at T-355. It was for a SCL-LHR in January.
I ended up keeping the outbound on the 2-4-1 and booking the return on IB via MAD. At least for now. More avios, but less cash.
I ended up keeping the outbound on the 2-4-1 and booking the return on IB via MAD. At least for now. More avios, but less cash.
Jan 27, 2019, 3:47 pm
#1222
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Here today, gone tomorrow
Programs: Nothing shiny :-(
Posts: 2,491
You can't get your points back if you cancel the inbound. I'm not sure if you can change the date, but I think you can.
Jan 27, 2019, 4:26 pm
#1223
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: England, United Kingdom
Programs: A3, Accor, BA, IHG, HH, SPG, TK
Posts: 9
Saving on APD
Hi all,
Just triggered my first 2-4-1 voucher. As people are saying we save APD by flying out of Jersey/Inverness, how much APD would I actually save if I flew JER-LGW-LHR-MIA return in Business class? Would I have to pay additional Avios for the JER-LGW leg?
Also, how easy is it to arrange an open-jaw back via EWR in First? Can we 'mix and match' classes on a 2-4-1?
I presume all of this would have to be done by calling BA.
Thanks!
Just triggered my first 2-4-1 voucher. As people are saying we save APD by flying out of Jersey/Inverness, how much APD would I actually save if I flew JER-LGW-LHR-MIA return in Business class? Would I have to pay additional Avios for the JER-LGW leg?
Also, how easy is it to arrange an open-jaw back via EWR in First? Can we 'mix and match' classes on a 2-4-1?
I presume all of this would have to be done by calling BA.
Thanks!
Jan 28, 2019, 1:09 am
#1225
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 142
Apologies if already covered upstream...
I need to cancel my companion ticket booking. It’s a simple point to point (ie not open jaw). If I do it online with MMB willl the voucher and miles credit immediately as I want to rebook to a different destination? I know the refund of the money may take a while which is fine.
I need to cancel my companion ticket booking. It’s a simple point to point (ie not open jaw). If I do it online with MMB willl the voucher and miles credit immediately as I want to rebook to a different destination? I know the refund of the money may take a while which is fine.
Jan 28, 2019, 1:52 am
#1226
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,844
Hi all,
Just triggered my first 2-4-1 voucher. As people are saying we save APD by flying out of Jersey/Inverness, how much APD would I actually save if I flew JER-LGW-LHR-MIA return in Business class? Would I have to pay additional Avios for the JER-LGW leg?
Also, how easy is it to arrange an open-jaw back via EWR in First? Can we 'mix and match' classes on a 2-4-1?
I presume all of this would have to be done by calling BA.
Thanks!
Just triggered my first 2-4-1 voucher. As people are saying we save APD by flying out of Jersey/Inverness, how much APD would I actually save if I flew JER-LGW-LHR-MIA return in Business class? Would I have to pay additional Avios for the JER-LGW leg?
Also, how easy is it to arrange an open-jaw back via EWR in First? Can we 'mix and match' classes on a 2-4-1?
I presume all of this would have to be done by calling BA.
Thanks!
Because you’re connecting onto a long haul flight, no additional Avios are required to get you from JER-LGW (and return on the way back). Obviously you’d need positioning flights to/from JER, and enough contingency, such as a hotel.
Open jaw returns are doable - I did this recently when booking - as long as the distance between in this case MIA and EWR is less than EWR-LGW (which it should be, judging by the last time I checked a globe). It is also possible to mix classes on the outbound and inbound, though I’ve not done this.
For Open Jaw and mixed class bookings - yes, you’ll need to ring up. I found the agent very helpful and knew precisely what I was after (in my case ex-INV).
One thing to consider is where you’re based, and how you’re getting back there. If JER isn’t a convenient place to return to, you can ask them to do the return to another regional airport. I asked about this, more in hope than anything else, and it was absolutely fine (our routing is INV-LHR-BNA, returning MSY-LHR-NCL - this saves an additional overnight in INV and the cost of the return journey from there). If another regional airport is better for you than JER, and you’re only starting from there to avoid APD, this is a good option.
On the other hand, if London is your final destination, the LHR-LGW airport change means you’ll need to collect your luggage anyhow - so you can always skip the LGW-JER leg if needed (with the same effect, of reducing time/money associated with going all the way back to JER and coming back).
Jan 28, 2019, 2:09 am
#1227
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,881
One thing to consider is where you’re based, and how you’re getting back there. If JER isn’t a convenient place to return to, you can ask them to do the return to another regional airport. I asked about this, more in hope than anything else, and it was absolutely fine (our routing is INV-LHR-BNA, returning MSY-LHR-NCL - this saves an additional overnight in INV and the cost of the return journey from there). If another regional airport is better for you than JER, and you’re only starting from there to avoid APD, this is a good option.
On the other hand, if London is your final destination, the LHR-LGW airport change means you’ll need to collect your luggage anyhow - so you can always skip the LGW-JER leg if needed (with the same effect, of reducing time/money associated with going all the way back to JER and coming back).
On the other hand, if London is your final destination, the LHR-LGW airport change means you’ll need to collect your luggage anyhow - so you can always skip the LGW-JER leg if needed (with the same effect, of reducing time/money associated with going all the way back to JER and coming back).
Jan 28, 2019, 2:31 am
#1228
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,844
Bear in mind this is a 2-4-1 booking and APD is only payable for journeys outbound from the UK. Although you have to start from INV/JER to avoid paying APD there is no need to return to INV/JER at the end, you can book back to LON or to another domestic airport (e.g. MAN, NCL, GLA etc.) if that is more convenient.
Jan 28, 2019, 3:15 am
#1229
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: England, United Kingdom
Programs: A3, Accor, BA, IHG, HH, SPG, TK
Posts: 9
I haven’t done ex-JER, but assuming the APD amount is the same as ex-INV, in business or first class you’d save around £170 per person (ie approx £340).
Because you’re connecting onto a long haul flight, no additional Avios are required to get you from JER-LGW (and return on the way back). Obviously you’d need positioning flights to/from JER, and enough contingency, such as a hotel.
Open jaw returns are doable - I did this recently when booking - as long as the distance between in this case MIA and EWR is less than EWR-LGW (which it should be, judging by the last time I checked a globe). It is also possible to mix classes on the outbound and inbound, though I’ve not done this.
For Open Jaw and mixed class bookings - yes, you’ll need to ring up. I found the agent very helpful and knew precisely what I was after (in my case ex-INV).
One thing to consider is where you’re based, and how you’re getting back there. If JER isn’t a convenient place to return to, you can ask them to do the return to another regional airport. I asked about this, more in hope than anything else, and it was absolutely fine (our routing is INV-LHR-BNA, returning MSY-LHR-NCL - this saves an additional overnight in INV and the cost of the return journey from there). If another regional airport is better for you than JER, and you’re only starting from there to avoid APD, this is a good option.
On the other hand, if London is your final destination, the LHR-LGW airport change means you’ll need to collect your luggage anyhow - so you can always skip the LGW-JER leg if needed (with the same effect, of reducing time/money associated with going all the way back to JER and coming back).
I'd wanted to go to South America but there was little availability for LIM.
Jan 28, 2019, 3:31 am
#1230
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,844
In our case, the APD saving more than covers a train from NCL to INV the previous day (it will be summertime, so I hope there won't be any weather disruption!) and an overnight there. My travelling partner hasn't been north of Edinburgh before so a train trip through the Highlands will be a 'different' way to kick off a break.
We also considered LIM, but had the same issue - we had very limited flexibility in terms of date.
Hope you have a good trip, and if you feel up to it, do post a Trip Report!