Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
BA Covid-19 Rebooking / Cancellation / Refund Help & Advice
If your flight is cancelled by BA:
Commercial booking: Your options are: cash refund OR Future Travel Voucher (FTV) OR rebooking OR Avios credit
Redemption booking: Your options are: full refund of cash and Avios OR FTV OR rebooking.
BA Holidays booking: You should be given a refund pro-actively.
If your flight is cancelled by BA - any flight in the PNR - you can get a full refund so long as you booked directly with BA. You can only get a refund by telephoning BA. Refunds are taking between a few hours to a few weeks to be repaid, depending on the sort of booking made. If you don't wish to travel you can opt for an FTV or eVoucher valid for travel until 30 April 2022, though flights more than 355 days away are not currently bookable - flights are enabled at 355 days before departure. Vouchers such as 2-4-1 are also thereby extended. You can do this even if the flight is operating. The best advice we can give is to delay opting for an eVoucher options until the last moment, since if BA cancel your flight you have more options. BA have also adjusted the Standard Customer Guidelines so that if BA cancel the flight you can be rebooked to anytime in 12 months after you originally bought the ticket, so long as there is space in the cabin - there is no need to have a fare bucket available or Avios availability. If you choose the Avios credit you will get between 108 to 126 Avios per GBP of your fare. Note older posts in this thread may now be inaccuarate since the current policy has been amended several times.
===
If your flight is not cancelled but you don't wish to travel
Commercial booking: If you are eligible for Buy with Confidence, you can have an FTV valid until April 2022. Rebooking may lead to a fare recalculation but no change fee.
Redemption booking: Your can do the normal Avios refund, with the redeposit fee capped at GBP 35 per person. Alternatively for the same fee you can rebook to new dates subject to availability. Alternatively you can have an FTV.
BA Holidays booking: You may be get a refund proactively, otherwise you are looking at an FTV for at least the flight component of your trip, maybe for all components.
If all of the flights in your booking are still scheduled and you don't wish to travel then you best wait until a few days before departure in case there is a cancellation. As you can see above, a cancellation gives you better options. You are in scope with Buy with Confidence if you are flying between now and completing travel before 31 August 2021, also if you bought your ticket after 3 March and due to complete all flights before September 2021. The BA web page on this is:
ba.com/confidence
===
Below are some of the options / workarounds being suggested in order to obtain a refund as opposed to a Future Travel Voucher, but they probably no longer work:
Refund of Cancelled Flights:
Paid Seating Refund:
Bookings made using Lloyds Upgrade Voucher
You should expect to receive:
Lloyds Upgrade Voucher Notes
If your flight is cancelled by BA:
Commercial booking: Your options are: cash refund OR Future Travel Voucher (FTV) OR rebooking OR Avios credit
Redemption booking: Your options are: full refund of cash and Avios OR FTV OR rebooking.
BA Holidays booking: You should be given a refund pro-actively.
If your flight is cancelled by BA - any flight in the PNR - you can get a full refund so long as you booked directly with BA. You can only get a refund by telephoning BA. Refunds are taking between a few hours to a few weeks to be repaid, depending on the sort of booking made. If you don't wish to travel you can opt for an FTV or eVoucher valid for travel until 30 April 2022, though flights more than 355 days away are not currently bookable - flights are enabled at 355 days before departure. Vouchers such as 2-4-1 are also thereby extended. You can do this even if the flight is operating. The best advice we can give is to delay opting for an eVoucher options until the last moment, since if BA cancel your flight you have more options. BA have also adjusted the Standard Customer Guidelines so that if BA cancel the flight you can be rebooked to anytime in 12 months after you originally bought the ticket, so long as there is space in the cabin - there is no need to have a fare bucket available or Avios availability. If you choose the Avios credit you will get between 108 to 126 Avios per GBP of your fare. Note older posts in this thread may now be inaccuarate since the current policy has been amended several times.
===
If your flight is not cancelled but you don't wish to travel
Commercial booking: If you are eligible for Buy with Confidence, you can have an FTV valid until April 2022. Rebooking may lead to a fare recalculation but no change fee.
Redemption booking: Your can do the normal Avios refund, with the redeposit fee capped at GBP 35 per person. Alternatively for the same fee you can rebook to new dates subject to availability. Alternatively you can have an FTV.
BA Holidays booking: You may be get a refund proactively, otherwise you are looking at an FTV for at least the flight component of your trip, maybe for all components.
If all of the flights in your booking are still scheduled and you don't wish to travel then you best wait until a few days before departure in case there is a cancellation. As you can see above, a cancellation gives you better options. You are in scope with Buy with Confidence if you are flying between now and completing travel before 31 August 2021, also if you bought your ticket after 3 March and due to complete all flights before September 2021. The BA web page on this is:
ba.com/confidence
===
Below are some of the options / workarounds being suggested in order to obtain a refund as opposed to a Future Travel Voucher, but they probably no longer work:
Refund of Cancelled Flights:
- Call BA (no longer a requirement to be travelling in the next 72 hours, you may need to make repeated calls to get through). Telephone numbers are in this thread, but you can also find them on BA.com at the bottom left of the website, under Help and Contacts.
- Online forms (Post #435 - corporate-wage-slave) - manual process which may take many weeks
Paid Seating Refund:
- https://www.britishairways.com/trave...ing_claim_form (Post #765 - travelhappypair)
Bookings made using Lloyds Upgrade Voucher
You should expect to receive:
- Full refund of Avios and money paid
- A new voucher issued, which has validity for 6 months (from the date of issue, i.e. when you request the 'refund')
Lloyds Upgrade Voucher Notes
- Flights can be used within 12 months, so it will be good for travel up until the end 6 months plus 12 months if you book just before the new expiry
- It's been advised to take the voucher instead of rebooking as it gives me more flexibility.
- The original expiry date of the voucher was irrelevant because the booking was cancelled.
- You must book within 6 months of the voucher being issued and the ticket has 12 months validity so you can change flights after, provided the new flights are within the 12 month window.
- You won't receive any email, only the refund and the miles.
- Use the Qantas website and look back to your original PNR. Step by step guide in post 954
Covid-19 BA Rebooking/Cancellation/Refund HELP & ADVICE *No Speculation etc*
#2446
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 520
My Avios GLA - PMI direct flights in June have been cancelled. I’m planning to rebook for September. Will BA allow me to book GLA - PMI - EDI ?

#2447
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: 58,374

#2448
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 151
A quick question about avios RFS flight - if my flight is not cancelled (August), and I'd want to cancel it on my own, will I need to pay £35 cancellation fee if the flight was 9k avios + £1, or it gonna be £35-1 (basically get all avios back, and no cash refund)? Mixed reports on this issue...

#2449
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K; BA Silver; AA G
Posts: 14,852
A quick question about avios RFS flight - if my flight is not cancelled (August), and I'd want to cancel it on my own, will I need to pay £35 cancellation fee if the flight was 9k avios + £1, or it gonna be £35-1 (basically get all avios back, and no cash refund)? Mixed reports on this issue...

#2450
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,519
My LATAM flight's cancellation notice finally came through today. A few minutes on the phone and the £75 cost plus the avios were refunded. Easy and friendly.


#2451
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 151
The £35 fee is the normal redeposit fee for a voluntary cancellation of an avios booking. In practice, if the amount of cash you paid in taxes and surcharges is less than £35, what you paid (£1 in your case) is all that is collected by BAEC. I can't say that I've seen any mixed reports as this has been the practice for quite some time.
You need to pay the £35 in cash to the agent. Your existing booking is then cancelled and the entire fees and taxes you paid are refunded. Even if you only paid £1 tax in the first place, you need to pay £35 to get the refund.

#2452
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: 58,374
I was referring to this HfP article. So it's not true?

#2453
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Manchester, UK
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, HH Diamond
Posts: 907
I have flights Man-Alc 22nd August. Cash booking.
Don't want to travel as I am in high risk category and who knows where we will be in August?
Is the voucher option my only option?
Don't want to travel as I am in high risk category and who knows where we will be in August?
Is the voucher option my only option?

#2454
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 39,087
Failing that, if there isn't any cancellation but you don't want to travel, you can either rebook straight away should you know when you want to travel - you would pay any fare difference to the new date - or you could request the future travel voucher. The FTV can be requested up to a few hours before the flight is due to depart.

#2455
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: 58,374

#2456
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Manchester, UK
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, HH Diamond
Posts: 907
Thank you both. Will wait.

#2457
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: BA
Posts: 25
Hi all,
I have a mileage run booked in November (booked and ticketed through the BA call centre) with the following routing on the 5th; INV-LHR-HEL-LAX-SFO. Returning on 9th; SFO-PHX-JFK-LHR-GLA. It's earning me 660TP for £1,445. So a reasonable tier point earner but to be honest the major factor in choosing this route was to try the AY 359 business product. AY have now announced that LAX/SFO will not resume within the July to March 2021 timeframe and that sector has been cancelled on MMB.
I am a little confused as to what I would be allowed to do in this scenario. If I could tweak it to remain on Finnair's JFK service then catch AA flights internally on the way out it may increase the TPs. The problem with that is that I would arrive in JFK too late to catch an onward AA flight. I could live with losing a night in SFO as it's a late arrival anyway. If I opted to take a more direct route would I lose the TPs? I also really don't want to fly a BA 747 CW product which is currently scheduled on the SFO route on the 5th.
Any advice/recommendations would be welcome. I realise it's quite some time away so I'm fairly relaxed on waiting, it's just a bit of a minefield. Many thanks.
I have a mileage run booked in November (booked and ticketed through the BA call centre) with the following routing on the 5th; INV-LHR-HEL-LAX-SFO. Returning on 9th; SFO-PHX-JFK-LHR-GLA. It's earning me 660TP for £1,445. So a reasonable tier point earner but to be honest the major factor in choosing this route was to try the AY 359 business product. AY have now announced that LAX/SFO will not resume within the July to March 2021 timeframe and that sector has been cancelled on MMB.
I am a little confused as to what I would be allowed to do in this scenario. If I could tweak it to remain on Finnair's JFK service then catch AA flights internally on the way out it may increase the TPs. The problem with that is that I would arrive in JFK too late to catch an onward AA flight. I could live with losing a night in SFO as it's a late arrival anyway. If I opted to take a more direct route would I lose the TPs? I also really don't want to fly a BA 747 CW product which is currently scheduled on the SFO route on the 5th.
Any advice/recommendations would be welcome. I realise it's quite some time away so I'm fairly relaxed on waiting, it's just a bit of a minefield. Many thanks.
Last edited by G747; May 25, 20 at 2:00 am

#2458
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: BER
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,777
Hi all,
I have a mileage run booked in November (booked and ticketed through the BA call centre) with the following routing on the 5th; INV-LHR-HEL-LAX-SFO. Returning on 9th; SFO-PHX-JFK-LHR-GLA. It's earning me 660TP for £1,445. So a reasonable tier point earner but to be honest the major factor in choosing this route was to try the AY 359 business product. AY have now announced that LAX/SFO will not resume within the July to March 2021 timeframe and that sector has been cancelled on MMB.
I am a little confused as to what I would be allowed to do in this scenario. If I could tweak it to remain on Finnair's JFK service then catch AA flights internally on the way out it may increase the TPs. The problem with that is that I would arrive in JFK too late to catch an onward AA flight. I could live with losing a night in SFO as it's a late arrival anyway. If I opted to take a more direct route would I lose the TPs? I also really don't want to fly a BA 747 CW product which is currently scheduled on the SFO route on the 5th.
Any advice/recommendations would be welcome. I realise it's quite some time away so I'm fairly relaxed on waiting, it's just a bit of a minefield. Many thanks.
I have a mileage run booked in November (booked and ticketed through the BA call centre) with the following routing on the 5th; INV-LHR-HEL-LAX-SFO. Returning on 9th; SFO-PHX-JFK-LHR-GLA. It's earning me 660TP for £1,445. So a reasonable tier point earner but to be honest the major factor in choosing this route was to try the AY 359 business product. AY have now announced that LAX/SFO will not resume within the July to March 2021 timeframe and that sector has been cancelled on MMB.
I am a little confused as to what I would be allowed to do in this scenario. If I could tweak it to remain on Finnair's JFK service then catch AA flights internally on the way out it may increase the TPs. The problem with that is that I would arrive in JFK too late to catch an onward AA flight. I could live with losing a night in SFO as it's a late arrival anyway. If I opted to take a more direct route would I lose the TPs? I also really don't want to fly a BA 747 CW product which is currently scheduled on the SFO route on the 5th.
Any advice/recommendations would be welcome. I realise it's quite some time away so I'm fairly relaxed on waiting, it's just a bit of a minefield. Many thanks.
otherwise this would maximize TP. its also available in business. just took the wrong screenshot.
further questions, advices and much more in the dedicated TP run thread. you're welcome to join us here.

Last edited by Nephoi; May 25, 20 at 2:36 am

#2459
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 14
my options confused.
can anyone tell me what my options are at the moment. i am due to fly to orlando on the 15/07/20 the flight has not been cancelled yet ba keep saying nothing has changed and they will be in touch if it does .so what are my options can i move my flight dates or go for a voucher i know i cant get a refund until ba cancel my flight .its a flight only booking which i made last august .thanks.

#2460
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Helsinki
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 140
Booked a cash flight with Avios part payment. Not been cancelled by BA yet (BA 2680 leaves in 3 hours) so eVoucher is realistically my only cancellation option.
Will I get a voucher for the net cash element I paid plus return of the Avios, or the gross fare before set-off and the spent Avios are written off? Or some worse deal whereby I get the net cash element as a voucher and lose the Avios entirely with no recompense?
The actual amounts are nominal so it's no great inconvenience either way but I'd like to know what to expect.
Will I get a voucher for the net cash element I paid plus return of the Avios, or the gross fare before set-off and the spent Avios are written off? Or some worse deal whereby I get the net cash element as a voucher and lose the Avios entirely with no recompense?
The actual amounts are nominal so it's no great inconvenience either way but I'd like to know what to expect.
I noticed the 3000 avios part payment has been taken from my account for a flight I took a voucher for. Have those point gone and the voucher is for the full cash price i would've paid if i didn't do an avios part-payment?
