BA multi city trip.
May 28, 2023, 3:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2022
Programs: British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 32
BA multi city trip.
Hi
I‘m attempting to book a trip around the UK to obtain bronze status. My issue is that BA will not reconise any itinerary via Google Flights, It’s becoming impossible to book this. Second question is that if booking via a cheaper OTA would BAEC be accepted and or Tier points earned?
Sorry if it’s worded poorly.
I‘m attempting to book a trip around the UK to obtain bronze status. My issue is that BA will not reconise any itinerary via Google Flights, It’s becoming impossible to book this. Second question is that if booking via a cheaper OTA would BAEC be accepted and or Tier points earned?
Sorry if it’s worded poorly.
May 28, 2023, 3:41 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA GfL & GGL, FB Platinum, MB Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,403
This is a defect wit my the new multi city tool. Best to find the itinerary with Google Flights and then call BA saying that the website is giving a silly error. That way you won’t be charged the booking fee.
If you book via an OTA then you will still get the Avios and TP as normal, just remember to add your BAEC number to the booking.
If you book via an OTA then you will still get the Avios and TP as normal, just remember to add your BAEC number to the booking.
May 28, 2023, 3:58 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2022
Programs: British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 32
This is a defect wit my the new multi city tool. Best to find the itinerary with Google Flights and then call BA saying that the website is giving a silly error. That way you won’t be charged the booking fee.
If you book via an OTA then you will still get the Avios and TP as normal, just remember to add your BAEC number to the booking.
If you book via an OTA then you will still get the Avios and TP as normal, just remember to add your BAEC number to the booking.
May 29, 2023, 12:14 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA GfL & GGL, FB Platinum, MB Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,403
You can call the OTA and ask them to add the number or after booking get the BA booking reference from them and add it yourself on the BA app or website.
Be careful in choosing an OTA as some are cheap but awful if you need to make changes or if things go wrong. If it’s only a little cheaper then it’s best to go with BA.
Be careful in choosing an OTA as some are cheap but awful if you need to make changes or if things go wrong. If it’s only a little cheaper then it’s best to go with BA.
May 29, 2023, 12:19 am
#5
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,990
So I think you are trying to book LCY-DUB-LCY/LHR-MAN-LHR? Is the price any different if you book it as two returns rather than one booking?
Personally I would call BA to book and not use a travel agent.
Personally I would call BA to book and not use a travel agent.
May 29, 2023, 1:16 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
In this case, purchasing a multi-city ticket might be cheaper rather than two one-ways since the OP is flying DUB-LCY/LHR-MAN within 24 hours, the APD for LHR-MAN wouldn't be due as he is originating from the Republic of Ireland for that portion of the trip.
May 29, 2023, 1:44 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,629
Just add the booking to your bookings on the BA website. For a discount OTA, you don't go near them once you have a PNR, because they're very unresponsive usually and don't really know what they're doing.
There are good OTAs and there are poor ones, but I still use them a lot for very cheap flights. OTAs have their uses, but if you can book online the main use is to provide a point of reference for a price promise guarantee claim. For a TP run I don't think I'd stray away from a direct BA booking because it's much easier to deal with BA (seriously) if things go wrong and the amount of money involved won't be insignificant.
There are good OTAs and there are poor ones, but I still use them a lot for very cheap flights. OTAs have their uses, but if you can book online the main use is to provide a point of reference for a price promise guarantee claim. For a TP run I don't think I'd stray away from a direct BA booking because it's much easier to deal with BA (seriously) if things go wrong and the amount of money involved won't be insignificant.
May 29, 2023, 1:44 am
#8
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
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I think for INT-DOM connections it is 6 hours, although if arriving from the international between 1700-2400 you get until 1000 the following day.
May 29, 2023, 1:49 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2022
Programs: British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 32
Yes it was around £200 more booking separately with BA then via an OTA with the example search.
May 29, 2023, 1:55 am
#10
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
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which would immediately set off alarm bells to me. which OTA? there is one which keeps showing up on google flights and is significantly cheaper who i wouldn't touch with a barge pole.
May 29, 2023, 2:23 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2022
Programs: British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 32
Thanks for your replies I might just do one return towards the points run if it’s cheaper, It’s annoying that the BA multi city is currently broken I’ve just seen the exact itinerary I’d want for £380, I did think about asking an actual travel shop like TUI if they can book such a trip for me.
May 29, 2023, 2:37 am
#12
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 96
Thanks for your replies I might just do one return towards the points run if it’s cheaper, It’s annoying that the BA multi city is currently broken I’ve just seen the exact itinerary I’d want for £380, I did think about asking an actual travel shop like TUI if they can book such a trip for me.
Also the proposed pricing structure on ITA is Return + 2x One-Way. If I price it up as such on BA (i.e. three tickets) then I get within £100 of the ITA price.
But yes, it may also be worthwhile asking an old-school travel shop ... most likely quicker than hanging on the phone forever listening to BA's hold music too.
May 29, 2023, 2:56 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA GfL & GGL, FB Platinum, MB Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,403
How about booking with BA and claiming back the difference through the Price Guarantee Promise (or whatever it’s called now)?
I know that there are a lot of conditions to meet for a successful claim though.
I know that there are a lot of conditions to meet for a successful claim though.
