[jb89]

Just one other Q on this- is there any club Europe unlocked? From Rob’s article it looked like not, just wanted to check if anyone else had seen different

[jb89]

NorthernLass wrote:

They can do both, explain at the start that you would like to book 4 seats and hopefully they will hold them all – people have reported that this has been done but also that agents have held 2 seats, made that booking, then gone to grab another 2 seats, so you’ll have to hope you get the former type of agent.

Have you had a proper read of the “How to book the return at T-355” thread – it’s very long but has loads of useful info on all this stuff?

Thank you that’s a useful tip!

I’ve read some of it but not all 69 pages, this particular answer is good to understand in preparation!!

[jb89]

NorthernLass wrote:

No, you can’t have different types of booking on the same PNR, so 241, Barclays and cash would all be separate. I think you can select seats with an infant, but can’t remember if you have to call BA to request the bassinet or whatever.

Cool- what a pain!! Do you know if on the call (T355) they are able to add both BAPP and reward seats in the same transaction or is it one or the other?

[jb89]

NorthernLass wrote:

@jb89, no, they will be separate bookings and the only way to guarantee you’ll be together is to pay for seats or select via status. BA can make a note in the booking and you may well end up together but it’s not guaranteed – even when passengers are all on the same booking.

Thanks that’s really good to know- so the BAPP and other reward seats also won’t be on the same booking? But obviously if I pay for seats on the others we should be together. Having an infant automatically means you get seat selection straight away is that right?

[jb89]

NorthernLass wrote:

No, because both LGW and LHR are classed as London, so that would be fine. Basically BA have been refusing to book or refund avios where people have been flying out from one city and back from another, and those cities have been in different pricing zones. Any simple return from London to NYC is not going to fall foul of this.

Thanks, again v helpful- I might do Miami instead, availability seems pretty good even in/around Feb half term, and warmer spot for a hotel stay the day before we go to Caribbean!

[jb89]

JDB wrote:

NorthernLass wrote:

Just a word of caution on NYC, which occurred to me afterwards- BA have recently been refusing some open jaw bookings based on the 2 sectors being in different zones, so you may find that you need to stick to MIA, ATL or another US city in that zone.

This is if I’ve understood it correctly but there was quite a bit of discussion last week about it.

Yes, a connecting flight would be completely separate so you’d need to plan for that.

Thus far, such open jaw routing objections have only been in respect of origin open jaws, not destination ones.

Are you able to clarify what you mean here? Basically I would have to start and finish at LGW?

[jb89]

NorthernLass wrote:

Just a word of caution on NYC, which occurred to me afterwards- BA have recently been refusing some open jaw bookings based on the 2 sectors being in different zones, so you may find that you need to stick to MIA, ATL or another US city in that zone.

This is if I’ve understood it correctly but there was quite a bit of discussion last week about it.

Yes, a connecting flight would be completely separate so you’d need to plan for that.

Thanks that’s good to know- TBH was planning on going to and back from JFK anyways as open jaw would involve both LGW and LHR which would not work for us

[jb89]

NorthernLass wrote:

Yes, I think more people want a flat bed overnight, though I find CW and PE equally insomnia-inducing!

Don’t forget also that the Caribbean is very well connected to the US so returning via (e.g.) MIA/ATL/NYC can also be an option.

Thanks @northernlass this is also a great idea, as NYC availability is huge and Heathrow is better for us. On a practical note, do you know if we book a connecting flight separately do we need to check out and in again, or can we stay in transfers?

I’m guessing best thing to do is stay a night in NYC?

[jb89]

Can anyone confirm if when you buy a BAPP flight along with a couple of reward flights along with a cash purchase all at the same time for the same leg (i.e. over a phone call) that they will all be sat together? We will have an infant with us

[jb89]

NorthernLass wrote:

As per @AndrewT – your best strategy is to have a Plan B and C, and try and book at T-355. More likely off-peak, however.
Also look at the next 12 months of availability as this will give you an idea of demand, with some adjustment for periods like Easter which aren’t fixed.

Thanks this is helpful too- it’s weird how availability on outbound is always a lot better than inbound- probably cos it’s the overnight leg generally

[jb89]

KHepworth wrote:

BA aren’t very clear about this unfortunately. It’s all obviously demand driven, so in peak season you’ve very little chance. If there are still cheap cash seats available in Club World when you want to travel, you’ll have a better chance that these will be available using your companion voucher. I’d say your best bet is to call BA directly and see if they can help?

Thanks- do you mean I class seats (as opposed to R?)