BMI booking qn

[Mal]

I've never booked a BMI redemption ticket before, but have an eye on booking one that fits into my plans well.

I need to fly IST-ATH (one way) on or around the 28th Dec. Seeing Turkish Airlines are a partner, this makes some sense to use my orphaned BMI miles as the fare is over $A220 at the moment.

I've gone through the ANA tool, and worked out that the following flights are available on the 28th:

TK1845 - 08:05-09:30 - Business and Economy.
TK1849 - 17:10-18:35 - Business
TK1847 - 21:30-22:55 - Business and Economy.

And looking at the BMI award table, I presume the rates are:
Economy (Zone 2 to Zone 2) - 10000 points one-way.
Business (Zone 2 to Zone 2) - 15000 points one-way.

The easiest way to book would be to call 0870 606 9977 and book.


Are my assumptions all correct? Any gotchas I need to be aware of?

 

[auriga]

Sounds about right.

There is a non 0870 number you can call.

I am sure you know about the miles and cash option as well.

 

[Keith009]

You want to call the international number. I've always found them a bit better than even the Gold line (which seems to be the same people as the regular line anyway): 1332 854274

 

[Mal]

You want to call the international number. I've always found them a bit better than even the Gold line (which seems to be the same people as the regular line anyway): 1332 854274

I used that number (originally forgot to add in the 0 before it because I'm local, and you get a screech and disconnect)!

Ticket process seemed to be ok (but convoluted...I much prefer Qantas!), although the 'taxes' seem pretty steep (about 33 pounds total + 4.50 pounds for using a credit card rather than debit card)

At least $US15 of that is a legitimate tax (Turkish Int'l Airport Service Charge). The rest I assume is a BMI fuel surcharge... £25.60 for a similar flight that I checked.

I have my confirmation number - what is the easiest way to check it's been booked properly and ticketted? (I realise you can look it up on the BMI website, but not sure if that shows ticket numbers). Also I remember ages ago people were having problems with BMI not ticketting tickets in a timely manner. Is this still a drama?

 

[StevePER]

I have my confirmation number - what is the easiest way to check it's been booked properly and ticketted? (I realise you can look it up on the BMI website, but not sure if that shows ticket numbers). Also I remember ages ago people were having problems with BMI not ticketting tickets in a timely manner. Is this still a drama?

Sounds like everything went very smoothly for bmi - you must have been lucky! You can check the booking on checkmytrip.com. The ticketing dramas were related to airlines like SQ which require ticketing within 24 hours, I don't think you'll have a problem with TK.

 

[Keith009]

Ticket process seemed to be ok (but convoluted...I much prefer Qantas!), although the 'taxes' seem pretty steep (about 33 pounds total + 4.50 pounds for using a credit card rather than debit card)

At least $US15 of that is a legitimate tax (Turkish Int'l Airport Service Charge). The rest I assume is a BMI fuel surcharge... £25.60 for a similar flight that I checked.

The ICC is infamous for miscalculating the +++s. Double check the taxes with ITA and if it doesn't match up, call up for a refund. They do pick up fuel surcharge for other airlines though, and some of them (such as LH or TG long haul) can be extremely high.

 

[clifford]

The ICC is infamous for miscalculating the +++s. Double check the taxes with ITA and if it doesn't match up, call up for a refund. They do pick up fuel surcharge for other airlines though, and some of them (such as LH or TG long haul) can be extremely high.

Unlike UA which doesn't.

I recently booked a Mileage Plus award ticket AUH-CAI-FRA-DUB-FRA-CAI-AUH, total taxes were AUD 123. Sounds like BD is gouging.

 

[Mal]

Sounds like everything went very smoothly for bmi - you must have been lucky! You can check the booking on checkmytrip.com.

Took about 10 mins in total. Not too long, and the agent I had was better than a lot of other International agents from other airlines. If my itin was convoluted or "unusual", I could imagine being on the phone for hours. Originally I was quoted the wrong points, but it was corrected when they were doing the booking. Taxes took a few mins to calculate. Stuff like that made it not the best experience, but reasonable.

Have checked checkmytrip and all looks good. There is an e-ticket number now (236-xx_xx_xx_xx_), the correct number of miles have been deducted from my BMI account and I assume the credit card charge is ok (will take a few days to see of course).

They do pick up fuel surcharge for other airlines though, and some of them (such as LH or TG long haul) can be extremely high.

TK do have a high Fuel surcharge still. Did a "price compare", and the taxes+fuel fine would be about 33 pounds on a paid journey. So it matches up.

Didn't realise that BMI used the fuel surcharge of the operating carrier - not the ticketing carrier.

Anyway, I think that everything is in order with the ticket. Thanks guys for your help.

[BTW, any idea what a "general remark" on my PNR of:

"YO MAN
PAX"
is? According to FT, it could be a signature from someone in BMI ]

 

[auriga]

Sounds like BD is gouging.

I think this applies to pretty much all programs except for the North American ones.

To say BD is gouging is rather unfair, as they are really just about the most generous program out there!

 

[Keith009]

[BTW, any idea what a "general remark" on my PNR of:

"YO MAN
PAX"
is? According to FT, it could be a signature from someone in BMI ]

The first line used to be "Monsoor", which happens to be the name of one of the ICC agents. His name appeared on every PNR whether he booked it or not. It changed to "YO MAN" about a year or so ago.