British Airways "book with confidence commitment" - any experiences?

[PurBal]

Anyone had experience with BA vouchers?

I appreciate this is a very first world problem.

A close family member lives abroad. Currently the borders to this country are closed (unless you’re a VIP/military/ministerial etc which, funnily enough, I’m not). Should I risk booking flights for next year? I will definitely want to travel there at some point solely to see the family member, it’s not a touristy place. My understanding is that if I book for travel before August and I can’t fly I can have vouchers valid until April 2022. This in itself is okay, but the flight is long haul and fairly pricey. It’s obviously more if I fly business which I wouldn’t usually do but I wonder if it’s a bit safer because of COVID. If I don’t/can’t fly there I’ll have a lot of voucher and maybe nowhere to fly to.

Should I risk it?

You know, writing this out makes me think I'm overthinking it!

Would not book this until the current restrictions are lifted. In your case as well I would ask for a refund rather than vouchers if you do book a flight with them. Business class won’t be any safer because of Covid.

Honestly, I'd keep your money with you, and book when you are more certain of being able to go. The only caveat would be if you are very tied to dates.
BA were a nightmare to get hold of in April when we were trying to get PiL back to the UK - having spent several months abroad with their parents. Excellent once we'd actually got hold of someone, but horrendous to get hold of.
Noone I know is booking flights right now. I still know many families seperated by covid, unable to see husbands or kids, let alone parents and siblings.

If it is later in the year and there’s a good deal in the sale I’d risk it. If things open up more then I expect flight prices may well increase as there will be fewer services and high demand where people are catching up on what they missed in 2020.

I booked with ba to go to Miami. USA still a no go so cancelled and was emailed the voucher within ten mins no questions asked. Used voucher to book Antigua instead so my experience was positive.