Call centre won't hold other OW carriers flights for redemptions any more
Dec 16, 2018, 12:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAGGL, A3G, Accor Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, LHW Sterling
Posts: 1,308
Call centre won't hold other OW carriers flights for redemptions any more
Apologies if covered elsewhere (in which case feel free to merge), but I learned today that a very recent change in policy means that the call centres won't hold other carriers flights for Avios redemptions any more (previously it was 72 hours, although the carrier sometimes grabbed the seats back quicker!). Has anyone else come up against this? Thought it was worth reporting.
GGLs can book and then change/cancel for no penalty so apart from some extra admin not too much impact for that segment but mildly annoying. Think based on the agent's comment that a significant minority were holding multiple seats and this may have led to the clampdown.
GGLs can book and then change/cancel for no penalty so apart from some extra admin not too much impact for that segment but mildly annoying. Think based on the agent's comment that a significant minority were holding multiple seats and this may have led to the clampdown.
Dec 16, 2018, 12:50 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,657
Apologies if covered elsewhere (in which case feel free to merge), but I learned today that a very recent change in policy means that the call centres won't hold other carriers flights for Avios redemptions any more (previously it was 72 hours, although the carrier sometimes grabbed the seats back quicker!). Has anyone else come up against this? Thought it was worth reporting.
GGLs can book and then change/cancel for no penalty so apart from some extra admin not too much impact for that segment but mildly annoying. Think based on the agent's comment that a significant minority were holding multiple seats and this may have led to the clampdown.
GGLs can book and then change/cancel for no penalty so apart from some extra admin not too much impact for that segment but mildly annoying. Think based on the agent's comment that a significant minority were holding multiple seats and this may have led to the clampdown.
Dec 16, 2018, 1:04 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAGGL, A3G, Accor Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, LHW Sterling
Posts: 1,308
Dec 16, 2018, 1:36 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,657
Dec 16, 2018, 1:40 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
It was the same for any interline booking. Positive space is either booked and, if confirmed, ticketed within the time limit prescribed by the interline agreement, generally 24 hours. While agents may have thought they were holding space and it may have worked because the problems only arise if the offline carrier won't later ticket, they were not.
Dec 16, 2018, 8:56 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,531
"How long can I hold my AAdvantage award reservation?
The time we'll hold an award reservation depends on how many days before departure you book:
- 5 days: When you book 15 –331 days before departure
- 1 day: When you book 1–14 days before departure
- Up to 2 hours before departure: When you book within 24 hours of departure
- 1 day: When you book 1–14 days before departure
Keep in mind, certain special awards and awards that include certain airline partners may have shorter hold times."
Dec 17, 2018, 2:48 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAGGL, A3G, Accor Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, LHW Sterling
Posts: 1,308
Right. So that was my previous experience. So I think the point is that the staff will still do this for BA redemptions but not for partners anymore.
Dec 17, 2018, 2:53 am
#10
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,887
As you can cancel reward flights at no cost as a GGL, practically speaking what’s the benefit of holding rather than just booking and cancelling later if not needed?
Dec 18, 2018, 1:31 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Glasgow / London
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 3,457
Dec 18, 2018, 4:55 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,325
Of course I could have booked both and refunded one, but had I not had the Avios balance available for that the hold would have been even more valuable.
A niche example, though.