Avios: transferring, etc.
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,430
Avios: transferring, etc.
We'd like to fly Iberia business JFK-MAD-FCO using Avios points. Our points are currently in BA. We'd each transfer enough for the flights to Iberia. Each of our accounts has been open 90 days.
If we have to cancel or change, I understand there is a 25€ fee. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/iberi...ange-fees.html
How long would it take to transfer the points?
Would there be a problem transferring the points back to BA if we have to cancel?
BTW, we'd fly book through IB because fees and surcharges are hundreds of euros lower than booking through BA.
If we have to cancel or change, I understand there is a 25€ fee. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/iberi...ange-fees.html
How long would it take to transfer the points?
Would there be a problem transferring the points back to BA if we have to cancel?
BTW, we'd fly book through IB because fees and surcharges are hundreds of euros lower than booking through BA.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CNF
Programs: Priority Club, TAM Fidelidade, BAEC, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,184
Transfer is immediate. No problem to transfer back to BAEC, if you don't have a household account. If you do have a HHA, you need to open avios.com account (former Airmiles) with a UK address (can be fake), and transfer through it.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,430
#6
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
#7
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MUCCI
Posts: 5,706
They may update their systems (in terms of showing availability vs clearing cached results at the server end at different times of the day).
IB+ and BAEC are different schemes, with different parters, as such some flights will not be bookable in one but will be in the other.
They also may have different rules regarding combining different partners in redemption award flight bookings.
Additionally if you have status in one scheme but not the other, and it is one of their own flights, they may be making additional seats available to top tier status members.
Finally, yes, they may be getting simply different availability access, it is possible.
What was the route?
#8
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Routes and dates too numerous to mention. Here's one I tried the other day: MAD to ORD, 5/25 in C. Bookable on IB.com. Not on BA.com. Not available using AA miles.
As a practical matter, does it make a difference? Usually not. There is no real reason to book using BA miles instead of IB miles. I suppose if you're elite on BA and have access to free change fees (not sure about the program) it might make more sense. But IB change and cancel fees are not that high.
There is, though, one area where it's a bit annoying. You can't book one-way itineraries on IB using IB miles that involve partner metal. So, you might want to book the journey on BA or AA, in order to have it all on one PNR (and, with AA, save some miles) in case of IRROPS.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MUCCI
Posts: 5,706
but I might be missing something significant.
Routes and dates too numerous to mention. Here's one I tried the other day: MAD to ORD, 5/25 in C. Bookable on IB.com. Not on BA.com. Not available using AA miles.
Routes and dates too numerous to mention. Here's one I tried the other day: MAD to ORD, 5/25 in C. Bookable on IB.com. Not on BA.com. Not available using AA miles.
That is much less surprising/of an issue. Plenty of airlines don't release everything, or everything at the same time, to their partners.
Assume you don't have IB status?
As a practical matter, does it make a difference? Usually not. There is no real reason to book using BA miles instead of IB miles. I suppose if you're elite on BA and have access to free change fees (not sure about the program) it might make more sense. But IB change and cancel fees are not that high.
There is, though, one area where it's a bit annoying. You can't book one-way itineraries on IB using IB miles that involve partner metal. So, you might want to book the journey on BA or AA, in order to have it all on one PNR (and, with AA, save some miles) in case of IRROPS.
There is, though, one area where it's a bit annoying. You can't book one-way itineraries on IB using IB miles that involve partner metal. So, you might want to book the journey on BA or AA, in order to have it all on one PNR (and, with AA, save some miles) in case of IRROPS.
[Yes, on BA I also don't have fees as a Gold.]
#10
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
But, yes, in general, I agree it could simply be that IB is only making a portion of its inventory available to partners (other than QF for whatever reason). In another thread on the QF board, one poster has indicated that IB has put point of sale restrictions on IB awards, so that US and UK frequent flier programs don't have access to the same award inventory that is available to those in AUS and Spain.
IB is a bit different from other alliance airlines in that they seem only to have one level of C award availability, whereas others have tiers. With virtually all programs, unless there is blocking (like LH does with F class, etc.), if you can find "saver" (or equivalent) availability using that airline's miles, that inventory is usually bookable by partners. Even for BA, which similarly has only one level of award mileage required for C and F, if you can book it with BA you can usually book it with partner miles (barring some mini-issues, such as release timing) like AA. It does not seem that IB is set up the same way.
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,207
Plenty of IB biz class award seats bookable on ba.com but not showing on the IB site.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,041
When I tried to cancel there was a bit of a mess getting my miles and taxes back... turns out that the e-ticket was never actually issued for my itinerary... Wouldn't be surprised if this is a general issue, given the lack of C availability on IB+...
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,207
It may well be "bookable" on ba.com, but I booked a BCN-ORD with IB on BAEC several weeks ago, mainly to try to reserve an award seat until my trip was guaranteed. (BA Gold so free to cancel there and theoretically rebook on IB+...)
When I tried to cancel there was a bit of a mess getting my miles and taxes back... turns out that the e-ticket was never actually issued for my itinerary... Wouldn't be surprised if this is a general issue, given the lack of C availability on IB+...
When I tried to cancel there was a bit of a mess getting my miles and taxes back... turns out that the e-ticket was never actually issued for my itinerary... Wouldn't be surprised if this is a general issue, given the lack of C availability on IB+...
I might just phone IB up to see if there really is availability and for some it's just not showing up on the IB site. Or to see if it's ba.com playing silly buggers.
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,207
Well after more online searching I've found that if I do EZE-MAD no Biz class shows up on the day I want despite BA still showing 6 IB seats. However if I do EZE-LCG plenty of seats for the EZE-MAD sector show.
Definitely a phone job.
Definitely a phone job.
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,207
He tried to force the computer to allow EZE-MAD only but to no avail. I could have booked the addon at extra cost and no showed for the MAD-LCG flight but have decided just to fly a day earlier where there is plenty of Biz availability.