Reward flight question

Hi all,

I want to use my miles to book a reward flight to bring my sister in law over from Detroit. So DTW to LHR round trip. Current sale price is 24,500 miles + taxes.

Only thing is, we dont know 100% what date she wants to go back to DTW. If we book the flight for a date a month down the line and we want to change it, once she is here, can we do that just by paying the change fee for reward flights?

Or, once shes taken the outbound flight, can we not change the inbound back to DTW?

Would it be better to do 2 separate one way reward redemption flights for greater flexibility in changing the return flight?

Also, if we book now and change the return once the reward sale has ended, will we have to pay additional miles to change the return? Or just the change fee?

Thank you!

Time to head to the T&Cs to answer this one.

4.2.1 Once reward tickets are issued, you may amend your travel date, route or class of service prior to travel for an amendment fee of £30 per person for changes to international flights originating in the UK, US$50 per person for changes to international flights originating in the US or local currency equivalent of US$50 per person for changes to flights originating in any other region. Changes to domestic flights within the UK can be made for an amendment fee of £15 per person . Where the reward is a companion ticket and the person travelling on the paying ticket changes his or her flight or class of travel, the companion ticket may be similarly amended for the same amendment fees, subject to availability of seats and the provisions of section 4.4 of these Flying Club Terms.

Once tickets for a Reward Booking are issued, no name changes are allowed. If for any reason a flight Reward is cancelled by the Member outside 24 hours of departure, 100% of the Miles will be re-credited to the Member’s account. A cancellation fee of £30 per person for changes to flights originating in the UK, US$50 per person for changes to flights originating in the US or local currency equivalent of US$50 per person for changes to flights originating in any other region will apply

If for any reason a flight Reward is cancelled by a member 24 hours prior departure, no Miles will be refunded and a £30 per person administration fee will be charged to process the refund of any taxes, charges/sur-charges. Once travel has commenced Miles cannot be refunded. Except as expressly stated in these Flying Club Terms, Miles are not refundable and changes or revalidation are not permitted in case of no-show.

(MY EMPHASIS) So you can change the dates for £30 per change provided you do it at least 24 hours prior to the first leg. In this case booking 2 one-way rewards would provide you with greater flexibility since the second one will not be fixed until you get within 24h of the homeward leg rather than 24h of the outbound if you book a return.

Now on to the reward seat sale terms:

4.2.6

(h) If any Sale fare flight is changed to a date following the end of the offer period the Member will be charged the normal fare level for such flight rather than the Sale fare. Normal change fees will apply.

So if you book inside the sale period and change the date after the sale ends you'll pay £30/$50 plus the difference in miles.

Fantastic thank you for your help in finding that for me

Yes book 2 separate tickets, not a round trip - it is cheaper! No idea why, but price it out for yourself. In economy it's just $45 or so saving, in UC its more like $300 difference! Most odd. Be sure she has both tickets printed out for UK immigration - they will want to see proof of departure.

Note that they might want some extra miles if you re-book outside of the Reward seat sale. They credit the miles you have spent against what it would cost in miles now and you may need a few more. Best to get the dates right if you can.

NB if you are AU, changes for reward flights are free of a fee, but not any extra miles.