UUA for 31 May? Bad idea?
Mar 28, 2020, 2:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Surrey
Programs: BAEC - Gold
Posts: 885
UUA for 31 May? Bad idea?
Availability has popped up for 31 May J>F. Assuming the trip even happens at that point (it’s just a holiday so it probably won’t and there are entry restrictions in the country anyway), at the moment that would be a pretty pointless use of Avios given the limited onboard catering.
What do we think? Worth a punt? If we are in refund/voucher territory for the flight, would we get the Avios back as well as the cash portion of the ticket? Guessing for a voucher we would, too?
What do we think? Worth a punt? If we are in refund/voucher territory for the flight, would we get the Avios back as well as the cash portion of the ticket? Guessing for a voucher we would, too?
Mar 28, 2020, 2:38 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,734
As a mid-30s leisure traveller with a reasonably healthy risk appetite, I’m not willing to make any new bookings for the summer yet, and certainly not May.
You could be throwing avios after potentially bad money, who knows? Don’t take the bait is my advice.
You could be throwing avios after potentially bad money, who knows? Don’t take the bait is my advice.
Mar 28, 2020, 4:14 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North Yorkshire, UK / Pasadena CA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,311
Indeed, no-one should still be thinking about travel for a holiday this summer but I think OP is hoping to get a voucher for future travel in F. Personally I wouldn't bother. If or when the aviation industry returns to some form of normality (crystal ball needed there), one might not be in a position to redeem a voucher. I would just consolidate my assets and wait while the storm blows over. But I can see arguments (e.g. I'm not short of avios / avios may be devalued before I redeem them / I'm flexible and not fussy about where/when I fly on holiday, etc.) for taking the punt.
Mar 28, 2020, 4:21 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Brisbane
Programs: BAEC Blue/Bronze, Krisflyer, Qantas
Posts: 419
Impossible to say, my gut feel is that most flights in May will be cancelled and June might see the return of a small selection of services.
The UUA might make it harder to get your money back but if you’re not in a rush then that’s fine.
The UUA might make it harder to get your money back but if you’re not in a rush then that’s fine.
Mar 28, 2020, 4:59 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,535
I think that the only people who could give you some minimally reliable advice on whether to make any commitment for a trip on 31/5 are busy taking care of far more urgent and dramatic things right now.
Mar 28, 2020, 5:03 am
#6
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: 63,809
I would say a greater than 50% of very significant travel restrictions still in place by then, from what I know and what I feel. Depending on the route in question, since some flights should be operating throughout, you should only do this with the clear risk that you would end up with an eVoucher valid for an aviation world very different to the one from a month ago.
Mar 28, 2020, 5:13 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
I would say a greater than 50% of very significant travel restrictions still in place by then, from what I know and what I feel. Depending on the route in question, since some flights should be operating throughout, you should only do this with the clear risk that you would end up with an eVoucher valid for an aviation world very different to the one from a month ago.
Mar 28, 2020, 5:24 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Effectively grounded
Programs: BA GGL for a little while longer
Posts: 844
Frankly, anyone who thinks that more than a skeleton service will run this side of Christmas is dreaming...
Even if the current restrictions flatten the curve in the UK, we and other countries will see more flare-ups later in the year, leading to further restrictions especially on international flights.
Things are not going back to normal for a very long time, sorry
Even if the current restrictions flatten the curve in the UK, we and other countries will see more flare-ups later in the year, leading to further restrictions especially on international flights.
Things are not going back to normal for a very long time, sorry
Mar 28, 2020, 5:41 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 783
Frankly, anyone who thinks that more than a skeleton service will run this side of Christmas is dreaming...
Even if the current restrictions flatten the curve in the UK, we and other countries will see more flare-ups later in the year, leading to further restrictions especially on international flights.
Things are not going back to normal for a very long time, sorry
Even if the current restrictions flatten the curve in the UK, we and other countries will see more flare-ups later in the year, leading to further restrictions especially on international flights.
Things are not going back to normal for a very long time, sorry
BA have only cancelled lots of LH flights until mid - end of April at present, that's only 3x weeks away and cannot see this being resolved in a few weeks.
Mar 28, 2020, 5:52 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,281
(c) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at a later date at the passenger's convenience, subject to availability of seats.
Mar 28, 2020, 5:58 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,770
Or if they could, it would only be to say don’t do it - and even that could change.
Mar 28, 2020, 6:27 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Surrey
Programs: BAEC - Gold
Posts: 885
The other thing on my mind is that this is a holiday booking and so I’d have to ring to change it. Not something I want to bother them with right now.
To be honest, I’ll take anything to look for some light at the end of the tunnel and look to beyond the current hideous situation.
Mar 28, 2020, 7:15 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,281
Nothing that calculated - it’s a holiday we booked in August last year so at the moment we are “going” although clearly it is most likely we won’t be going anywhere. Just don’t want to be in a position where I lose anything. Not fussed if it comes as a refund or a voucher, just as long as it’s not neither.
I think we all are. Not cancelling a trip shouldn't be interpreted as not recognising the gravity of our situation, but rather, as an expression of hope that this will, at some point, be over.
Mar 28, 2020, 8:23 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: somewhere north of stateside...
Posts: 4,153
I've spent the morning working on a 40th birthday trip for early next year to Madrid and Muscat. I'm very hopeful things will be much more sorted by then.
I also have a Tel Aviv, UK countryside and Switzerland hiking all booked for July. Open question whether that goes or not, but the accommodation is all on points and easily cancellable. We'll have to see how it all works out, but for now I'm hoping. If I'm able to do that trip, it'll mean big chunks of the world are in a better place, so no guilt in those thoughts. I hope your May goes as well!