Mar 19, 2020, 2:45 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Latest official update, posted by BA refund helper on 16 August (post no 579)
Historic wiki updates:
There seems to be some confusion over the ‘vouchers’ for future travel so here is some clarity in the hope it proves helpful to others.
The ‘voucher number’ will be the customer’s existing ticket number. The process is no different to putting a booking on hold for medical reasons and the existing booking will be reused for future travel, with the ticket reissued following payment of any difference in fare. This is why it takes so long to receive confirmation as someone has to manually go into each booking (as you’ll imagine there are a lot!), remove the live flights, hold in a ghost flight and send the confirmation email to the customer. It is not an eVoucher that you would enter into ba.com for a discount off a brand new booking and new travel arrangements should NOT be made in this way.
Similarly, customers should NOT cancel their own bookings at any point in the voucher process. This will invalidate any eligibility for the voucher and process a fare rules refund.
When ready to rebook (and once the lines are a lot quieter!) customers will need to call to be rebooked as there is no facility to do this online at all and anything done online in this manner will be at the customer’s own expense since you won't be able to deploy the eVoucher's funds. The voucher is valid for travel completed (both outbound and inbound) by 30th April 2021.
There is no telephone service charge for using the eVoucher, you have to call up, but you won't have to pay an extra fee to make the booking in this scenario.
Historic wiki updates:
There seems to be some confusion over the ‘vouchers’ for future travel so here is some clarity in the hope it proves helpful to others.
The ‘voucher number’ will be the customer’s existing ticket number. The process is no different to putting a booking on hold for medical reasons and the existing booking will be reused for future travel, with the ticket reissued following payment of any difference in fare. This is why it takes so long to receive confirmation as someone has to manually go into each booking (as you’ll imagine there are a lot!), remove the live flights, hold in a ghost flight and send the confirmation email to the customer. It is not an eVoucher that you would enter into ba.com for a discount off a brand new booking and new travel arrangements should NOT be made in this way.
Similarly, customers should NOT cancel their own bookings at any point in the voucher process. This will invalidate any eligibility for the voucher and process a fare rules refund.
When ready to rebook (and once the lines are a lot quieter!) customers will need to call to be rebooked as there is no facility to do this online at all and anything done online in this manner will be at the customer’s own expense since you won't be able to deploy the eVoucher's funds. The voucher is valid for travel completed (both outbound and inbound) by 30th April 2021.
There is no telephone service charge for using the eVoucher, you have to call up, but you won't have to pay an extra fee to make the booking in this scenario.
Rebooking with e-voucher
May 26, 2020, 2:40 pm
#331
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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May 26, 2020, 3:41 pm
#332
Join Date: Aug 2014
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May 27, 2020, 1:45 am
#333
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Global Again
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Through Twitter, I claimed a voucher and asked to use some of the value to pay of the remainder of a BA Holdays booking reply as below from May 11th..
We're unable to apply the voucher to an existing BA Holidays booking. We appreciate there's an uncertainty as to whether flights will go ahead. If there are any changes, then we'd notify you using your contact details in the booking. The vouchers are for each person.
Could be try a different method to contact BA nearer the payment time,
May 27, 2020, 3:42 am
#334
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 629
Got the answer myself... Vouchers not transferable.
I tried to explain they're not being transfered if I'm the lead on the booking and travelling with my family but they were having none of it.
Seems a pretty crappy way to treat your customers who have taken vouchers as a leap faith rather than cash refund to be honest (Don't know why I'm surprised). I also contrast it with Legoland in Denmark who offered a voucher for the full cost of the stay, valid for a full 3 years, can be used in the shop, to book accommodation, to buy tickets as they just send a gift card to the value of the booking.
I tried to explain they're not being transfered if I'm the lead on the booking and travelling with my family but they were having none of it.
Seems a pretty crappy way to treat your customers who have taken vouchers as a leap faith rather than cash refund to be honest (Don't know why I'm surprised). I also contrast it with Legoland in Denmark who offered a voucher for the full cost of the stay, valid for a full 3 years, can be used in the shop, to book accommodation, to buy tickets as they just send a gift card to the value of the booking.
May 31, 2020, 3:07 am
#336
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 63,857
I can see the area to put this n is indeed more visible, but have you managed to get this to work for a FTV? I tried it with my one and only FTV and it didn't recognise it.
May 31, 2020, 3:13 am
#337
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Location: Leeds, UK
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Just tried one of mine (an FTV from a simple cash booking) and it doesn't work online. Has anyone actually managed to use it online?
Last I heard this was still being worked on by BA, but not yet implemented.
Last I heard this was still being worked on by BA, but not yet implemented.
May 31, 2020, 3:17 am
#338
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: BAEC GOLD, Star Alliance, HH Gold
Posts: 76
Looks like my excitement was a little premature.
May 31, 2020, 5:49 am
#339
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: BAEC GOLD, Star Alliance, HH Gold
Posts: 76
I've just called BA. Online booking using the voucher is supposed to be working properly now, they didn't know there was a problem.
I was advised that anyone that can't make it work needs to call and report it.
I was advised that anyone that can't make it work needs to call and report it.
May 31, 2020, 5:50 am
#340
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
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so have you or anyone else actually got it to work online?
May 31, 2020, 11:34 am
#342
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: BAEC GOLD, Star Alliance, HH Gold
Posts: 76
Not managed ourselves yet.
I look forward to the system working particularly as we use hotlines. It will make a big difference to us whether we wait for refund or accept the voucher.
I look forward to the system working particularly as we use hotlines. It will make a big difference to us whether we wait for refund or accept the voucher.
May 31, 2020, 11:54 am
#343
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,660
Just because its a hotline booking theres no need for you to miss out just call to rebook!
May 31, 2020, 12:37 pm
#344
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: BAEC GOLD, Star Alliance, HH Gold
Posts: 76
But it's good to be reminded that I can call.