Death before flying; do you get a refund?

[visualAd]

Just to be clear, I have no plans to kick the bucket anytime soon or know someone who has. But I am curious to know what happens if a passenger dies before flying, are they eligible for a refund, does it count as a no show, if its a redemption, are their points returned?

[layz]

Originally Posted by visualAd

Just to be clear, I have no plans to kick the bucket anytime soon or know someone who has. But I am curious to know what happens if a passenger dies before flying, are they eligible for a refund, does it count as a no show, if its a redemption, are their points returned?

They can do, but due to issues with forged death certificates you have to bring the customer into your nearest BA office as evidence.

[Filthy Monkey]

In some cases, due to problems moving a body, I have heard of BA offices accepting just the severed head as proof.

[johnny5a]

ROTFL

[irishguy28]

Originally Posted by visualAd

if a passenger dies before flying, are they eligible for a refund

You can't take it with you...so no!

Originally Posted by visualAd

if its a redemption, are their points returned?

As per section 3.12.2 of the Executive Club T&Cs, membership terminates automatically on the death of the member; therefore a refund of points just doesn't come into play at all.

[YClass]

If part of a HH account would the HH retain the miles?

I was once asked by insurance to provide a death certificate for claiming on a cancelled flight (funeral). I said it was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard as I wasn't about to ask the bereaving family for one. They paid out.

[layz]

Originally Posted by Filthy Monkey

In some cases, due to problems moving a body, I have heard of BA offices accepting just the severed head as proof.

You must check as the policies of each office may vary. Back in the bmi days you could just scan a copy of the deceased and email it to Joanna. BA are more stringent.

[angatol]

Originally Posted by layz

Back in the bmi days you could just scan a copy of the deceased and email it to Joanna.

Where do you find a body-sized photocopier?

[Joely]

Originally Posted by visualAd

Just to be clear, I have no plans to kick the bucket anytime soon or know someone who has. But I am curious to know what happens if a passenger dies before flying, are they eligible for a refund, does it count as a no show, if its a redemption, are their points returned?

I guess there is only one way of finding out....

Nice knowing you, if you wouldn't mind leaving me your avios in your will I would be most obliged.

[irishguy28]

Originally Posted by angatol

Where do you find a body-sized photocopier?

Why, here, of course!

[layz]

Originally Posted by angatol

Where do you find a body-sized photocopier?

You have to do a bit at a time and merge the images together.

Unless the customer was a dwarf.

[Joely]

Dear Nicci

Please find attached a photocopy of my dead mother, can I have my Avios back now please?

[pfd]

Sadly I have experience of this as I had booked a flight for my father to SYD but he died 2 weeks before he was due to travel. I spoke to BA who asked for a scan of the death cert and the refund was back on my card within a couple of days. Very quick and efficient.

[angatol]

Back to the original point. Almost all of the BA fare rules contain something similar to this language:

CANCELLATIONS
    BEFORE DEPARTURE
      CHARGE EUR 300.00 FOR CANCEL/NO-SHOW/REFUND.
      WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE/DEATH OF PASSENGER OR
        FAMILY MEMBER.

[ColdWalker]

When we heard my Father in Law had died we happened to be at Bangkok airport. So I quickly got us on a return flight to England (Thai airways were brilliant about it and charged us nothing). Then I rang the insurance company to let them know in case we happened to pick up any charges like canceled parking or what-have-you. The agent asked me how I could be sure he had died and did I have any documentary evidence!

Clearly my mother in law should have scanned and emailed his body to me.