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
Jun 29, 2020, 4:43 am
#436
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if they are not cancelled then the only advantage of going via a FTV if you want to rebook for the same dates would be that you would avoid the £35 per person cancellation fee, but you would need reward availability on the new flights.
Jun 29, 2020, 4:50 am
#437
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,137
are your existing flights cancelled? If so you can just phone and get moved across without going via a FTV and regardless of whether there is reward availability.
if they are not cancelled then the only advantage of going via a FTV if you want to rebook for the same dates would be that you would avoid the £35 per person cancellation fee, but you would need reward availability on the new flights.
if they are not cancelled then the only advantage of going via a FTV if you want to rebook for the same dates would be that you would avoid the £35 per person cancellation fee, but you would need reward availability on the new flights.
Jun 29, 2020, 4:54 am
#438
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the way you don't need reward availability is if one or more of the flights in your existing booking get's cancelled. if that happens you can book for any date within ticket validity (so up to a year from when you originally booked) and you don't need reward availability. as long as there is space in CE on the flight you can rebook for the new flights.
Jun 29, 2020, 5:05 am
#439
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,137
ok. no, if you went via a ftv you will need reward space on any new flights you want to change to.
the way you don't need reward availability is if one or more of the flights in your existing booking get's cancelled. if that happens you can book for any date within ticket validity (so up to a year from when you originally booked) and you don't need reward availability. as long as there is space in CE on the flight you can rebook for the new flights.
the way you don't need reward availability is if one or more of the flights in your existing booking get's cancelled. if that happens you can book for any date within ticket validity (so up to a year from when you originally booked) and you don't need reward availability. as long as there is space in CE on the flight you can rebook for the new flights.
Jun 29, 2020, 12:24 pm
#440
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Lincolnshire, UK
Programs: BA GGL - maybe only briefly!
Posts: 1,378
the way you don't need reward availability is if one or more of the flights in your existing booking get's cancelled. if that happens you can book for any date within ticket validity (so up to a year from when you originally booked) and you don't need reward availability. as long as there is space in CE on the flight you can rebook for the new flights.
Jun 29, 2020, 12:52 pm
#441
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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We've just had August BH weekend reward flights cancelled and this is the first time I've looked into re-scheduling a redemption. I assumed I would have to call but it looks like there are online change options - but that only shows dates up to 355 days from today - is it actually possible to slip the flights by a year eg to the same weekend next year?
Jun 29, 2020, 12:58 pm
#442
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Lincolnshire, UK
Programs: BA GGL - maybe only briefly!
Posts: 1,378
It's not really a biggie, and we can refund and rebook, but I already see redemptions next year costing more avios than we paid for this one - so it would represent a (small but satisfying) saving if it could be done.
Jun 29, 2020, 7:04 pm
#443
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,550
Ok - but that would have to be done after the original date of the flight - is that even possible?
It's not really a biggie, and we can refund and rebook, but I already see redemptions next year costing more avios than we paid for this one - so it would represent a (small but satisfying) saving if it could be done.
It's not really a biggie, and we can refund and rebook, but I already see redemptions next year costing more avios than we paid for this one - so it would represent a (small but satisfying) saving if it could be done.
Jun 30, 2020, 4:35 am
#444
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: BAEC - Silver
Posts: 130
Somewhat annoyed as I thought I was doing BA a favour by taking a "voucher" back in March. It seems I did them a bigger favour than I expected! Of course I had limited choice as this was a time when you could not get through on the phone and would have to try and turn off cookies in your browser to be able to get a refund. I, and likely most people, (CWS and Karfa excluded), didn't realise that this is not a "voucher" but a retention of the existing booking which means changing the flight rather than using the money.
Roll forward to today and I was told I could not use the £460 from "voucher" I have to pay for some of the Avios booking I am making.
The bonus is we have managed to re-book for the same weeks next June as we had cancelled on us for earlier this month but I still have a £460 voucher that will be tricky to use as it can only be used for another cash booking.
I have now been through the whole thread and understand why but feel it is very mis-leading of BA to call these "vouchers". This is more of a rant than anything but I do have a question:
I can't find the T&C's that relate to the whole voucher process. Everything I can find is FAQ's and does not stipulate how the "voucher" can be used. Is there a link to the BA T&C's for the vouchers that I can check out - apologies if I missed it in the above but I did read the WHOLE thing end to end so may have just become blind to some info?
Roll forward to today and I was told I could not use the £460 from "voucher" I have to pay for some of the Avios booking I am making.
The bonus is we have managed to re-book for the same weeks next June as we had cancelled on us for earlier this month but I still have a £460 voucher that will be tricky to use as it can only be used for another cash booking.
I have now been through the whole thread and understand why but feel it is very mis-leading of BA to call these "vouchers". This is more of a rant than anything but I do have a question:
I can't find the T&C's that relate to the whole voucher process. Everything I can find is FAQ's and does not stipulate how the "voucher" can be used. Is there a link to the BA T&C's for the vouchers that I can check out - apologies if I missed it in the above but I did read the WHOLE thing end to end so may have just become blind to some info?
Jun 30, 2020, 4:51 am
#445
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 156
Right am a tad confused on this. I got vouchers for a flight that BA cancelled back in April. Used them to book a different flight- added a few ££ price difference when phoning. Now its looking ex trememly likely that my flight i booked with voucher will also be cancelled. Can i get a cash refund or is it a case of having to accept voucer. All flights concerned are involuntary cancellations
Jun 30, 2020, 4:57 am
#446
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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I can't find the T&C's that relate to the whole voucher process. Everything I can find is FAQ's and does not stipulate how the "voucher" can be used. Is there a link to the BA T&C's for the vouchers that I can check out - apologies if I missed it in the above but I did read the WHOLE thing end to end so may have just become blind to some info?
Originally Posted by BA Trade
• Ability to change the date & routing (origin & destination) regardless of whether travel has commenced. If new fare and taxes are higher, the customer will need to pay the difference. If the new fare and taxes are lower, an EMD must be issued for the difference which can then be used as part payment for further travel o Any associated ancillaries to the original ticket will be carried forward to the new travel dates with the exception of any prepaid excess baggage (XBAG) or pre-paid meals which must be refunded as non-transferrable. Customer will need to purchase XBAG or pre-paid meal online if still required on new journey
• Waiver of change fee ATPCo has designed a solution called ‘Emergency Flexibility for Voluntary Changes and Refunds’. This allows airlines to apply more flexible changes and/or refund conditions to the original fare rules which, at time of ticket issuance, would have been more restricted. Although airlines fare rules will still display the original fare rule conditions in the GDS, the more flexible conditions will be applied provided the ticket presented for change or refund falls within the airlines’ flexible policy. BA has implemented the Emergency Flexibility solution to all our fare products, published and private. This will improve efficiencies in terms of servicing using the GDS Automated Changes functionality This solution does not extend to refund conditions which are as per the original ticketed fare
• The ability to retain the unused value of their ticket towards future travel as credit.
o The total value is carried forward. This includes the fare, taxes, fees & charges which appear on the original ticket
o Customers opting for ‘credit’ are effectively forfeiting the T&Cs of the original ticket and are accepting a new offer as ‘credit’ for future travel which is non refundable
o Confirmation of opting for ‘credit’ applies once the booking is modified with the relevant process steps outlined in this policy
o New travel must be completed (outbound & inbound) by 30th April 2022.
o The customer must retain their ticket number and quote this when they are ready to make a new booking
• Waiver of change fee ATPCo has designed a solution called ‘Emergency Flexibility for Voluntary Changes and Refunds’. This allows airlines to apply more flexible changes and/or refund conditions to the original fare rules which, at time of ticket issuance, would have been more restricted. Although airlines fare rules will still display the original fare rule conditions in the GDS, the more flexible conditions will be applied provided the ticket presented for change or refund falls within the airlines’ flexible policy. BA has implemented the Emergency Flexibility solution to all our fare products, published and private. This will improve efficiencies in terms of servicing using the GDS Automated Changes functionality This solution does not extend to refund conditions which are as per the original ticketed fare
• The ability to retain the unused value of their ticket towards future travel as credit.
o The total value is carried forward. This includes the fare, taxes, fees & charges which appear on the original ticket
o Customers opting for ‘credit’ are effectively forfeiting the T&Cs of the original ticket and are accepting a new offer as ‘credit’ for future travel which is non refundable
o Confirmation of opting for ‘credit’ applies once the booking is modified with the relevant process steps outlined in this policy
o New travel must be completed (outbound & inbound) by 30th April 2022.
o The customer must retain their ticket number and quote this when they are ready to make a new booking
Jun 30, 2020, 4:57 am
#447
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
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This is more of a rant than anything but I do have a question:
I can't find the T&C's that relate to the whole voucher process. Everything I can find is FAQ's and does not stipulate how the "voucher" can be used. Is there a link to the BA T&C's for the vouchers that I can check out - apologies if I missed it in the above but I did read the WHOLE thing end to end so may have just become blind to some info?
I can't find the T&C's that relate to the whole voucher process. Everything I can find is FAQ's and does not stipulate how the "voucher" can be used. Is there a link to the BA T&C's for the vouchers that I can check out - apologies if I missed it in the above but I did read the WHOLE thing end to end so may have just become blind to some info?
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...clickpage=HOME
Jun 30, 2020, 4:57 am
#448
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
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I had a flight cancelled, I requested a voucher, later on booked a new flight with that voucher.
When I booked the new flight with the voucher I never received email confirmation but it was showing in MMB correctly and in the app both the original booking reappeared and the new flights.
The new flights were slightly cheaper than the original flights and I received the refund of the difference to my Amex.
Now the newly arranged flights are cancelled so I requested another voucher and the email that arrived (very quickly) now lists two e-ticket numbers. Looking at QF MMB it's back to listing the Mont Joli flight but I can't see where e-ticket numbers would be specified.
When I booked the new flight with the voucher I never received email confirmation but it was showing in MMB correctly and in the app both the original booking reappeared and the new flights.
The new flights were slightly cheaper than the original flights and I received the refund of the difference to my Amex.
Now the newly arranged flights are cancelled so I requested another voucher and the email that arrived (very quickly) now lists two e-ticket numbers. Looking at QF MMB it's back to listing the Mont Joli flight but I can't see where e-ticket numbers would be specified.
Jun 30, 2020, 5:00 am
#449
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,997
Right am a tad confused on this. I got vouchers for a flight that BA cancelled back in April. Used them to book a different flight- added a few ££ price difference when phoning. Now its looking ex trememly likely that my flight i booked with voucher will also be cancelled. Can i get a cash refund or is it a case of having to accept voucer. All flights concerned are involuntary cancellations
What if the new flight subsequently cancels?
• Standard customer guidelines apply and any unused coupons will be fully refundable to the original form of payment
• Standard customer guidelines apply and any unused coupons will be fully refundable to the original form of payment
Jun 30, 2020, 5:01 am
#450
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,857
Right am a tad confused on this. I got vouchers for a flight that BA cancelled back in April. Used them to book a different flight- added a few ££ price difference when phoning. Now its looking ex trememly likely that my flight i booked with voucher will also be cancelled. Can i get a cash refund or is it a case of having to accept voucer. All flights concerned are involuntary cancellations