Calling British Airways - how to get through?

[Mattg]

I'm trying to redeem some of my BA Avios for a QantasLink flight, which you cannot book on the British Airways website.

I've tried calling British Airways several times to book, and each time after a lengthy wait on hold, my call just gets disconnected.

Any tips to actually get through and/or to complete my booking?

 

[SYD]

I read that QFLink are now bookable via ba.com

QantasLink flights in Australia bookable with Avios on ba.com

For the first time ever, QantasLink domestic services in Australia are showing on ba.com for booking with Avios points. This is how you to do it.

www.headforpoints.com

Or has that been enhanced again?

 

[MELso]

And another thought - can they be booked on AY, IB or - highly unlikely it must be said - QR?

 

[Mattg]

I read that QFLink are now bookable via ba.com

QantasLink flights in Australia bookable with Avios on ba.com

For the first time ever, QantasLink domestic services in Australia are showing on ba.com for booking with Avios points. This is how you to do it.

www.headforpoints.com

Or has that been enhanced again?

Sadly nope, there is no QantasLink availability showing on BA.com currently. (The route is ADL-CBR)

And another thought - can they be booked on AY, IB or - highly unlikely it must be said - QR?

Qantas availability doesn't appear on the QR website, and AY wants $200+ taxes for ADL-CBR one-way. I guess in theory I could call QR to book through Privilege Club.

 

[Mattg]

So, after calling 5 times, I eventually got through to somebody and asked them to call me back as all the previous calls kept disconnecting.

This person agreed to call me back, and did straight away. He said he'd never made an Avios booking in the 3 years he'd been working at the BA call centre (there is normally a different department that does that), but he decided to give it a go since he didn't want me to keep having to call back over and over. He was actually pretty good and completed the booking for me.

For future reference, the trick seems to be:

1. Keep calling until you actually get through to a person (the call may drop out) - this took me 3 attempts
2. After you speak to someone and your call gets disconnected, if you call again a short time later you seem to go to the front of the queue
3. When you call back again, ask for the operator to call you back.