BA Avios flight cancelled - what options should I receive

leafy211

My August BA flight (purchased with avios points) has just been cancelled.  BA are offering any alternative flight (even if not a rewards flight) or a voucher.  Im not sure if the voucher is avios points as I couldnt spot any details on that?  Also how long would i have to choose another flight as currently Im not sure what date Id want to rebook (if i dont choose the voucher option).  Any ideas or pointers where i can find the full details I wonder?  Many thanks in advance.

Penelopa.Pitstop

Just call for refund of avios (and cash, if you paid any). And make sure you don't choose any options when calling, just stay on the line. You should get avios back immediately. 

When time comes, you can decide  how to use your miles. You won't be limited by vouchers and rebooking options.

leafy211

that's super.  Thank you!

silvercar

If BA are offering you to choose any available flight without there needing to be Avios availability then I would consider that. No rush to choose, just do nothing until you decide. Until the flight date, the existing flight will be on their system.
Second best option then is a full refund of Avios and taxes.
Third option would be a voucher, which means the Avios and taxes are in a future travel voucher to be used for travel until end April 2022.

leafy211

thank you so much for your advice.  If i can determine when i can next travel (notwithstanding covid-19 impact), then definitely the best option to choose any flight.  I wasnt sure though on my time limits to choose.  I wonder what happens if i dont make any selection before the flight date?

silvercar

leafy211 said:

thank you so much for your advice.  If i can determine when i can next travel (notwithstanding covid-19 impact), then definitely the best option to choose any flight.  I wasnt sure though on my time limits to choose.  I wonder what happens if i dont make any selection before the flight date?

With BA's IT who knows?
I would suspect that eventually the system would refund you, so you risk losing the ability to choose any flight.

leafy211

:-)
thanks again!

shaz4473

Hi, I have an avios flight in September that was amended and I would like my avios refund but have been trying at different times of the day and the phone line just cuts me off as high volume of calls.  I want to book a flight next September but believe that if i was to accept a voucher it would be a cash value and I would have to book by phone whereas I want to rebook an avios rewards flight when the flights become available.  Has anyone had success in getting through on a phone line and getting the avios points returned along with the taxes amount paid by credit card?

shaz4473

ps. i also tried the link for claiming a refund in avios points but received response saying my booking was not valid for this option

silvercar

shaz4473 said:

Hi, I have an avios flight in September that was amended and I would like my avios refund but have been trying at different times of the day and the phone line just cuts me off as high volume of calls.  I want to book a flight next September but believe that if i was to accept a voucher it would be a cash value and I would have to book by phone whereas I want to rebook an avios rewards flight when the flights become available.  Has anyone had success in getting through on a phone line and getting the avios points returned along with the taxes amount paid by credit card?

Keep trying, you will get through. At the moment there have been a raft of cancellations for October so lines are busy.
avios bookings are cancellable until 24 hours before hand for a fee of £35 ( or whatever you paid if less), if you want your Avios back in full.
alternatively, go for a voucher as that saves your £35. The voucher holds all the Avios and cash you paid and can be used for any booking till April 2022. If you want the voucher you can do it yourself through ‘manage my booking’ on the app or website. If you want a refund you need to phone.
one further point is that BA only release flights 355 days in advance, so September 2021 flights are not out yet.
remember, you have no need to rush.

Penelopa.Pitstop

shaz4473 said:

Hi, I have an avios flight in September that was amended and I would like my avios refund but have been trying at different times of the day and the phone line just cuts me off as high volume of calls.  I want to book a flight next September but believe that if i was to accept a voucher it would be a cash value and I would have to book by phone whereas I want to rebook an avios rewards flight when the flights become available.  Has anyone had success in getting through on a phone line and getting the avios points returned along with the taxes amount paid by credit card?

Read previous posts. When calling BA, don't choose any options,  then you won't be cut off and connect to human to get refund.