Not booking in N class

Anyone got any tips for booking a discounted Economy fare that is not N-class via the website? (I need the tier points!) Site only offers choice of "flexible" or "lowest"--seems all pot luck as to what you're offered.

(The ONE thing I like about BA is their ticketing site--you can see available fares for different flights without putting in a dozen combinations to see what it throws up.)

I was under the impression you do get tier points ( 1 per sector) and half mileage for N Class flights now.

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by xenole
I was under the impression you do get tier points ( 1 per sector) and half mileage for N Class flights now.

Yup, since 1st March, N class fares to/from the US and the Caribbean earn 1 TP and 50% of the base mileage. (Other routes earn 2 TP and 100% base mileage)

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by Alexis
Anyone got any tips for booking a discounted Economy fare that is not N-class via the website? (I need the tier points!) Site only offers choice of "flexible" or "lowest"--seems all pot luck as to what you're offered.

Hi Alexis,

The shortfalls of the VS booking engine have been discussed here on a number of occassions mainly to do with booking fares suitable for upgrade or companion tickets.

In your case there is an answer although not an ideal one. If you book on line then before you accept the flight it will tell you how many miles you will earn which will effectively tell you if it is N class. If it is then there is only one option and that is to call VS direct to book a non-N ticket.

Hope this helps.

Phil

[HighFlyer]

Agreed with Phil, it will be fab when VS finally get the fare class code showing on real time bookings.

If i need a particular bucket i will call Flying Club for my booking, alternatively, if you are just browsing and need a flexible fare you can always use the reward seat booking tool on the VS website - if it shows a reward flight then there are seats available in those buckets.

You can also do a dummy booking on the VS website and the same on Expedia, then find the flight for the same price on Expedia and review the 'Fare Rules & Restrictions' page, this will tell you what fare cllss that flight is booked in (you only need the first letter) and that will likely be the same bucket as the flight on the VS site.

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by HighFlyer

You can also do a dummy booking on the VS website and the same on Expedia, then find the flight for the same price on Expedia and review the 'Fare Rules & Restrictions' page, this will tell you what fare cllss that flight is booked in (you only need the first letter) and that will likely be the same bucket as the flight on the VS site.

Likely, maybe, but I wouldnt wanna risk it myself!

Also, if there is limited availability in a particular bucket then be aware that the dummy booking may reserve the last available seat(s) in that bucket!

jules.

[RichardMannion]

Well you could always look at how many FC miles the fare will earn (when booking on the VS website). If its 50% then its a N.

Thanks,
Richard

No, I know that if you check the miles you can tell. The trouble is that if it throws up an N class fare there's no way to jig it to get you another one. I also know you get 1 tier point per sector in N class; however thanks to taking reward flights I now need to get 7 tier points by September--something that shall only be achieved by NOT flying N class
I suppose I shall have to deal with the phones and forfeit my fabulous online discount and 500 mile bonus (OTOH I got a 5k bonus in March for a failed IFE system. on a reward flight. Can't complain.)

[preiffer]

Alexis,

The online discounts and bonuses were scrapped at the start of the year. You're not losing anything at all by booking over the phone.

Aside from my time and sanity?

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by Alexis
Aside from my time and sanity?

I have to say that whenever I have rung the Flying Club (I am Silver), I have had nothing but good service and very helpful call handlers.

Now that the online discounts / mileage bonuses are gone, I will ring every time.

When I have EMailled them on the other hand!!!......[:(!][:(!]

Nick

[RichardMannion]

I've only ever booked one ticket with VS direct on their website, the token online bonuses did little to sway me, I'd much rather phone and speak to one of the agents I know to get all of my booking done at once.

Thanks,
Richard