British Airways extends vouchers for trips disrupted by coronavirus to 2023

We explain what British Airways' (BA's) changes mean below. You can also find full info on your rights if your travel's disrupted by the pandemic in our Coronavirus Travel Rights guide, including different travel firms' policies if you can no longer get away. Most of the UK is currently in lockdown with all but essential travel banned.

Existing and newly issued vouchers will be valid for an extra year

If your trip has been cancelled or you no longer want to travel on the initial booking, British Airways customers can swap their payment for a voucher to redeem with the travel company at a later date - although it's worth noting that if a flight or package is cancelled you can request a full cash refund if you don't want to accept a voucher. 

British Airways previously said its vouchers had to be used on journeys which were completed by 30 April 2022 - but it's now extended this deadline to 30 April 2023. 

This applies to all vouchers that have already been issued, as well as to future vouchers. If you already have a voucher that is currently valid until 2022, British Airways says the validity is being extended automatically and you'll be contacted with details of your new voucher "as soon as possible". You can claim a voucher through the BA site. 

Got a future booking up to April 2022? You can now ask for a voucher or change the dates

If you have a future trip book, you could previously only ask for a voucher or fee-free change if you had booked after 3 March 2020 and were due to complete your travel by 31 August 2021 - but this has now been extended to journeys which are due to be completed by 30 April 2022. 

You can claim a voucher through the BA site, which can be used as full or part payment for travel - and as explained above, this will now be valid until 30 April 2023. 

If you don't want a voucher and already know where and when you want to travel, you can change your journey date or destination in the Manage My Booking section of the BA website. For those with a booking that includes a hotel or it's a package trip - you need to contact BA on 0800 727 800 to change the date. You can change your booking as many times as you like and won't be charged fees, but you will still have to pay any difference. 

The airline adds that it constantly reviews its flexible booking policies for customers who want to change their travel plans in light of ongoing restrictions.