KARFA

if you are using an old voucher (ones issued pre september 2021) then yes you are only now shown the highest avios option unfortunately. this is a consequence of the introduction of RFS on long haul late last year.

Some more discussion here Dec 2022 Changes to British Airways taxes and fees on redemptions

speedbird66

Firstly, apologies in advance, I'm sure this must be covered somewhere else but I couldn't find it. Given the topic, I've also been pondering whether to ask the question here or in the Barclaycard thread. I've pitched for here on the basis that the other thread seems to deal mostly with the logistics of applying for and using the cards themselves.

Anyway, grab a cup of tea, I'll try and keep it as concise as possible, here goes...

The other half and I each have a Barclaycard Cabin Upgrade voucher and just over 300,000 Avios between us. Our intention is to use them to fly long-haul in CW on a trip next spring, around Apr - May 2024. I know that these aren't technically 'upgrade' vouchers per se, but allow you to redeem WTP miles for CW flights, assuming CW availability. We had quick look and ruled out the well-known destinations where CW reward flights are like rocking horse poo and you need to be logged in at the stroke of midnight, 355 days in advance to book (CPT, SIN, SYD, NRT, HND). Our thoughts have now turned to the north west USA (PDX or SEA). I know we're looking too far in advance for May 2024 reward tickets to be released yet, but from some tentative dummy searches it looks like reward tickets to/from these destinations are thin on the ground as well.

No matter, I thought to myself. Each voucher is good for a return journey for one person or a single journey for two people, so we can make two separate one-way bookings, using one voucher the moment flights for our preferred outbound date are released, and the other as soon as return flights become available. But oh fudge, that plan doesn't work, because the vouchers are only valid for itineraries starting in the UK. This means that we need each need to book our 'own' individual return journey using the vouchers*.

So, if I've understood correctly, we're in something of a Kafkaesque situation. The Ts & Cs of the upgrade vouchers 'force' us to wait for return flights to be released before we can book the outbound sector, but by the time return flights are released, it looks quite possible that there will be no outbound availability left. I'd really love any insight that fellow forum members are able to offer on these questions:

• Have I understood the vouchers correctly?
• Is my assessment of (limited) CW reward flight availability to the north-west US about right, to the extent that if we're thinking about booking a two- or three-week trip the outward flights will be gone before we are able to book the return, or am I being unnecessarily downbeat?
• Are there alternative destinations that we could book to in that part of the USA with better reward flight availability, then take a connecting domestic flight (which would, of necessity, have to be on a separate booking as the vouchers are only good on BA metal)?
• Are there any other cunning workarounds that I'm not aware of?
• Should I give up, bin the voucher and just book cash WTP fares then UUA?

Hopefully the dilemma that I've set out above makes sense. Any and all help anyone is able to offer would be hugely appreciated - thanks in advance, and feel free to DM if you think it would help keep the forum tidier.

*This in itself isn't a particular issue - we're both Silver and still will be next spring, so selecting seats near each other on separate bookings isn't a problem. And I'm not going to lose any sleep over whether it's Club Suites or old-school Club World!

ringingup

• Yes
• Book the outbound and then call BA to add the inbound once it's released.

speedbird66

Thanks, appreciate the advice. I'm a complete novice at this approach (in the past, I've always been able to book return flights on one booking or had the option to book outward and return sectors separately). Are there any issues with calling up to amend the booking in terms of being able to apply the voucher?

ringingup

There shouldn�t be any issues, aside from someone booking at midnight (or 1 am in BST) before you get a chance to.

TravelinSperry

When looking at BA Avios award flight, I see an avail award flight on Finnair in "economy". However, it doesn't say if it's Economy Light, Classic or Flex (the 3 payable options sold by Finnair). Is there a standard or a way to figure out which it is?

Lefly

I don't know if there is a standard to look for, but a BA Avios award usually equates to the "classic" economy fare on many airlines.

TravelinSperry

Seems to be the case (I booked it) and was allowed to choose a seat and see checked baggage at 23kgs. Thanks

NA-Flyer

Trying to book an off peak award in business class from LHR to ORD and the price showing 90k avios instead if 50k avios!!
Is there something wrong?

KARFA

Some dates do seem to be marked incorrectly as off peak. How does it correlate with the calendar here? https://www.headforpoints.com/2023/0...-flight-dates/

NA-Flyer

As per the HFP calenderer my travel date April 28 is showing to be peak. However, on the website is showing off peak but still quoting the peak price!!

KARFA

So it is as I noted one of those dates incorrectly marked on the avios flight search page. Unfortunately it seems this is a peak date as the HFP calendar is correct.

NA-Flyer

The strange thing they are quoting an award seat in F for 80k avios while J for 90k avios

Tofino87

Likely down to the new pricing structure available due to the introduction of RFS in J for long haul now, I suspect.

More Avios, less tax? Just a thought

ringingup

I�ve read reports in another forum that there seems to be new guidance for call centres outside of the UK which prevents them from servicing UK accounts. If this is true, it�ll make it impossible to call at midnight or 1am to book avios flights.

Has anyone heard anything similar?