BA reward bookings changes (sep 22)

[samhartwell]

Hopefully someone can help as I am feeling as if I am floundering under a weight of panic regarding booking flights for next year!

So, I am booking BA reward seats for 4 of us and then also a money booking for my parents - we all want to be on the same flight.

Currently looking at all options for Florida airports to fly in/out of in case MCO is too expensive and also looking at flying in/out of different airports (MCO/MIA/TPA and even ATL)

So, we are planning to travel in Sep and I will be booking the reward seats for our outward journey when they are available but I cant book the return paid journey for my parents until these are available as a return journey.

Ideally we would fly in and out of MCO but the prices are so much higher and I have been tracking daily to check and currently MIA is the cheapest option for my parents.

So...my question is - if I go ahead and book reward seats for us (well place on hold) to MIA and then when the return journey becomes available to book (October) hopefully we will have picked the cheapest option but if for some reason its cheap enough to fly into MCO then we would prefer that (and need to change our reward booking - if there is availability!).

Currently BA is showing you can amend for free to end of AUg 22 but I cant find anything about after that or even if its possible to amend our flights which will depend on availability of reward seats largely.

Does anyone have any advice for us?

Thanks

Sam

[Softy]

You have always been able to change/cancel reward seat bookings up to 24 hours before. There’s a £35 fee per ticket/person.

[munmun]

Originally Posted by samhartwell

Hopefully someone can help as I am feeling as if I am floundering under a weight of panic regarding booking flights for next year!

So, I am booking BA reward seats for 4 of us and then also a money booking for my parents - we all want to be on the same flight.

Currently looking at all options for Florida airports to fly in/out of in case MCO is too expensive and also looking at flying in/out of different airports (MCO/MIA/TPA and even ATL)

So, we are planning to travel in Sep and I will be booking the reward seats for our outward journey when they are available but I cant book the return paid journey for my parents until these are available as a return journey.

Ideally we would fly in and out of MCO but the prices are so much higher and I have been tracking daily to check and currently MIA is the cheapest option for my parents.

So...my question is - if I go ahead and book reward seats for us (well place on hold) to MIA and then when the return journey becomes available to book (October) hopefully we will have picked the cheapest option but if for some reason its cheap enough to fly into MCO then we would prefer that (and need to change our reward booking - if there is availability!).

Currently BA is showing you can amend for free to end of AUg 22 but I cant find anything about after that or even if its possible to amend our flights which will depend on availability of reward seats largely.

Does anyone have any advice for us?

Thanks

Sam

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It may be me but I am finding your question a bit confusing but will try to answer.

The first seats you secure if you don't want to miss the chance ( you could wait until the return is available and take the chance) is your outbound reward flights.

These would not be on hold they would be booked. You would pay the taxes and miles and get a booking reference. If you choose to cancel these there would be a £35 per person admin fee and your remaining money would be refunded (could take ten days) and you miles would be refunded, in my experience that is fairly quick about 24 hours but it could take longer.

If you keep that booking you would have a seperate avios return booking or you could phone BA and ask them to combine it into a return booking and they would take more miles and more tax.

Only in my experience if BA cancel the flight can you move an Avios booking for free but only between the same airports. Other people may have managed to move airports I haven't.

Hope that helps

[munmun]

Originally Posted by Softy

You have always been able to change/cancel reward seat bookings up to 24 hours before. There’s a £35 fee per ticket/person.

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Really, I didn't know you could change without cancelling and rebooking, also there has to be availability unless BA cancel

[samhartwell]

Thanks both I do appreciate you taking the time to read- I know its really confusing!

So to add to the complication we are using 2 241 FTV for BA to book our reward seats so because I have to book by phone I guess I will ask them when I am booking it to confirm what flexibility there is to change destination airport (assuming availability exists)

if its £35 per person then that’s not too bad !

Many thanks

Sam

[munmun]

Originally Posted by samhartwell

Thanks both I do appreciate you taking the time to read- I know its really confusing!

So to add to the complication we are using 2 241 FTV for BA to book our reward seats so because I have to book by phone I guess I will ask them when I am booking it to confirm what flexibility there is to change destination airport (assuming availability exists)

if its £35 per person then that’s not too bad !

Many thanks

Sam

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You don't need to book by phone for the outbound.

[samhartwell]

Originally Posted by munmun

You don't need to book by phone for the outbound.

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Unfortunately I do as I have a FTV (which is my 2 x 241 amex vouchers so these could be extended to 2023)

[munmun]

Originally Posted by samhartwell

Unfortunately I do as I have a FTV (which is my 2 x 241 amex vouchers so these could be extended to 2023)

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Ah OK. Phone early and hope no one else gets them at midnight

[munmun]

Just a thought, why don't you go onto online chat and ask all the questions you have before your booking day so you have your head clear to book when the day comes. I find chat helpful just be prepared to wait it out. Keep typing 'Speak to an agent' to get an actual person

[munmun]

Also confused, is your FTV cash from a flight refund as that can't be used with an Avios booking