Book at T-355 days to maximise access to Premium Award Seats
BA releases award seats 355 days before departure at midnight GMT (1am BST in summer). Business and First Class sell out in minutes.
This free calculator tells you exactly when to call and adds a reminder to your calendar so you don't miss it.
📅 Your Booking Timeline
Travel Date:
Availability Appears:
(354 days before travel)
🎯 CALL BA ON:
Days Until Call Date:
How the 355-day rule works: BA releases award availability at exactly midnight GMT, 355 days before departure (so actually 354 days!). During British Summer Time (late March to late October), this means seats appear at 01:00 BST instead of midnight. The calculator automatically adjusts the call time based on whether BST is in effect.
📋 How to book the reward flights you want:
- GMT (Standard Time): Call at 23:50 the evening before, seats appear at 00:00
- BST (Summer Time): Call at 00:50, seats appear at 01:00 same night
- Stay on hold - don't hang up, you want to be connected when the seats drop
- Have BA Executive Club number ready: 0344 493 0787 (UK) or +44 203 250 0145 (international)
- Have your Executive Club membership number, dates, routes, and cabin class ready
- Alternatively: Try logged into ba.com, but calling is often faster and phone agents can hold the tickets for you
💡 Pro Tips
- Premium cabins (Business/First) disappear within minutes on popular routes
- Calling is usually faster than the website - you'll be connected to an agent at midnight
- Set multiple alarms for 23:40 UK time so you don't miss the call window
- Have alternative dates ready (±1-2 days) in case your first choice is taken
- Partner airlines' availability on BA metal may appear at different times
- Book one-way tickets for flexibility in mixing airlines. And be aware that your return ticket availability will be released later so you might have to call back a few days later, depending on the length of your trip!
- Critical: Convert to UK time correctly if calling from abroad!