HBO in one direction only - new feature?
Apr 19, 2018, 4:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 262
HBO in one direction only - new feature?
I noticed last night when booking a short haul trip that it is now possible to mix and match between the HBO "Economy Basic" fare and the semi-flexible "Economy Plus" fare. I could never really understand why this wasn't allowed before, and it's a handy feature to be able to pay a little extra for flexibility on the inbound flight without having to do so for the outbound. Has this just changed recently or did everyone else already know?
Apr 19, 2018, 4:23 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IC Hotels Spire, BA Gold
Posts: 8,667
I noticed last night when booking a short haul trip that it is now possible to mix and match between the HBO "Economy Basic" fare and the semi-flexible "Economy Plus" fare. I could never really understand why this wasn't allowed before, and it's a handy feature to be able to pay a little extra for flexibility on the inbound flight without having to do so for the outbound. Has this just changed recently or did everyone else already know?
Apr 19, 2018, 4:40 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
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The reason it wasn't originally allowed is because BA policy used to be the highest baggage allowance on your trip applied to all legs. This meant that if you took an upgrade offer to upgrade 1 leg to CE you'd also get the 2 bag allowance on your HBO leg,
Now that's no longer the case it now means you can mix and match.
Now that's no longer the case it now means you can mix and match.
Apr 19, 2018, 4:44 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South East, UK
Programs: BA Gold / GfL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,432
Have not noticed this - but it is a welcome addition. Hopefully it will allow a basic HBO fare in one direction and a CE in the other as sometimes on a regular route I fly there is an amazing CE fare in one direction only - always good for some TPs towards the end of my status year ^
Apr 19, 2018, 5:05 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 262
I've noticed that BA.com now doesn't allow mixing and matching of Economy and CE fares. I have previously successfully booked LHR-GLA with CE outbound and Y return. When I now try to book this on BA.com when you select Economy or Business class on the outbound, it limits your inbound options to the same class, with the other saying "Not available".
Apr 19, 2018, 5:11 am
#7
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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I believe this started on 4 April when basic fares moved from being private to public fares, there was some coverage of it below. Basic fares are now combinable though it's taken a fair time (ahem) to actually be switched on.
News: Basic Fares (HBO) to become combinable
News: Basic Fares (HBO) to become combinable
Apr 19, 2018, 5:49 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South East, UK
Programs: BA Gold / GfL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,432
Which route did you try? I've done a few dummy bookings and I can combine on most of the routes I tested, but for some reason why I try LHR-GLA and LHR-EDI I get the "Not available" for the other class. It's probably some mistake in the way the fares have been loaded for GLA & EDI.
Apr 19, 2018, 7:22 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
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I can imagine shopping trips becoming much more intense. Depart London with only a credit card and return with a suitcase full of goodies. I wonder if HM Customs will take an interest.
Apr 19, 2018, 9:58 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 262
Which route did you try? I've done a few dummy bookings and I can combine on most of the routes I tested, but for some reason why I try LHR-GLA and LHR-EDI I get the "Not available" for the other class. It's probably some mistake in the way the fares have been loaded for GLA & EDI.