Why can we not book a reward flight for another person on BAEC?
Mar 17, 2018, 10:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 256
Why can we not book a reward flight for another person on BAEC?
While I have frequently made bookings for other travelers with my Avios through my BAEC account (online) a friend tells me that she can not do that: The name field is pre-filled with her name and she can not change it.
Have you experienced the same ... do you you know the reason? Is there a work-around?
Many thanks
Have you experienced the same ... do you you know the reason? Is there a work-around?
Many thanks
Mar 17, 2018, 10:12 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland / Estonia
Programs: AY+ Platinum, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, HH Diamond, Radisson VIP, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 6,525
She has to add the person she wants to book the flight for into her friends list and therefore needs a HHA, I believe.
Mar 17, 2018, 10:33 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Home Counties, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 539
I had the exactly same problem the other day and was told to add my friend to my family and friends. I did that and was then able to book a ticket for her.
Last edited by Shingi; Mar 17, 2018 at 11:14 am Reason: Typo
Mar 17, 2018, 10:37 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold, DL PM, , Hilton Diamond (from being in a bed), SPG Plat, MR Plat
Posts: 922
I have booked many for others and have not added to either HH or FF. Should be a bit in the booking process with a box that says something along the lines of ' is the person paying for the booking travelling?'. Twice when booking HKG-LHR on avios for other people they have double upgrades to club with no status.
Mar 17, 2018, 10:42 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: Virtuoso, FSPP, Hyatt Prive, Hilton Impressario, Marriott Stars/Luminous, Roswood Elite, MO Fan Club
Posts: 557
Strange. I've booked CX avios flights for my sister and I on BA. She's not on my friends list or HHA.
I thought the advantage of BAEC/avios was that you could book flights for anyone
Edit: I was a traveller on all occasions. Maybe that's why?
I thought the advantage of BAEC/avios was that you could book flights for anyone
Edit: I was a traveller on all occasions. Maybe that's why?
Mar 17, 2018, 10:46 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 289
BA will not charge you for a telephone booking if you try and fail to do it on the website first. Just phone and explain the situation to receive this benefit.
The best part is, if you search while logged into the BA website, they can often just see your recent searches, saving the need to explain exact dates and times from scratch!
The best part is, if you search while logged into the BA website, they can often just see your recent searches, saving the need to explain exact dates and times from scratch!
Mar 17, 2018, 12:33 pm
#8
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,888
If you don't have a HHA you should be able to book for anyone, and there is no need for the EC account holder to be on the booking themselves. You certainly do not have to add them to your Family & Friends list.
If in a HHA I think you can only book for those in your HHA or in your Family & Friends list.
If in a HHA I think you can only book for those in your HHA or in your Family & Friends list.
Last edited by KARFA; Mar 17, 2018 at 2:58 pm
Mar 17, 2018, 5:44 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,797
See this thread linked in the Dashboard:
Your guide to Household Accounts
From that thread:
OP if your friend is a member of a household account just have her add the other person to her friends and family list. If your friend is not a member of a household account then do as ESFLYER95 said. Answer the following question "No" and the prefilled info will go away.
Your guide to Household Accounts
From that thread:
Limitations of HHAs
If you set up a Household Account you can only redeem Avios for members inside the HHA plus friends and family specifically added to the HHA, unlike standard account holders who are essentially able to redeem Avios for anyone.
If you set up a Household Account you can only redeem Avios for members inside the HHA plus friends and family specifically added to the HHA, unlike standard account holders who are essentially able to redeem Avios for anyone.
Is the payment card holder travelling on this booking? Yes No
Mar 17, 2018, 5:58 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,828
In general, this ploy only works if there is an actual malfunction whereby the website fails to perform a function that it is supposed to do. If the website was never designed to perform a particular task, then the fee waiver is unlikely. A slight distinction.
Mar 18, 2018, 3:33 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 256
Only a call helped solving the issue. Not sure what the actual problem was.
No it is not a HHA and no ticking the yes/no box did not work to enter another name.
Tickets booked now but wasted hours by trying to solve the issue and holding on the line.
Thanks to everyone trying to help.
No it is not a HHA and no ticking the yes/no box did not work to enter another name.
Tickets booked now but wasted hours by trying to solve the issue and holding on the line.
Thanks to everyone trying to help.