Urgent help needed! BA are being impossible! - Ticket dilemna
Jul 23, 2014, 8:45 am
#17
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Welcome ClaireDee to the forum.
Unfortunately you have been caught by the rules on both of your issues. Airlines tend not to bend the rules because otherwise customers would just purchase the cheapest ticket possible and then try and convince the airline to allow them to make changes at a later date. So it's not a personal vendetta against you, it's just that they can't bend the rules for one person without bending them for everyone.
Does the restrictive ticket allow you any changes for a fee?
Unfortunately you have been caught by the rules on both of your issues. Airlines tend not to bend the rules because otherwise customers would just purchase the cheapest ticket possible and then try and convince the airline to allow them to make changes at a later date. So it's not a personal vendetta against you, it's just that they can't bend the rules for one person without bending them for everyone.
Does the restrictive ticket allow you any changes for a fee?
Jul 23, 2014, 8:54 am
#18
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While it's frustrating in the moment, OP chose to purchase cheaper and more restricted tickets.
It's a risk analysis as to whether you buy the cheaper and restricted or more expensive and less restricted tickets. And, as others note, the way to manage risk is insurance. Whether OP's "cr*p" circumstances are insureable is something we don't and don't need to know.
It's a risk analysis as to whether you buy the cheaper and restricted or more expensive and less restricted tickets. And, as others note, the way to manage risk is insurance. Whether OP's "cr*p" circumstances are insureable is something we don't and don't need to know.
Jul 23, 2014, 8:58 am
#19
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Are you absolutely certain about this? I have always seen this information quite clearly presented on ba.com (I assume you bought on ba.com?) before the purchase screen.
Can you replicate the booking that you made, and check do you really not see the warnings and fare rules?
Can you replicate the booking that you made, and check do you really not see the warnings and fare rules?
and this is the newer format when booking on ba.com - I think the newer format has been around for at least a few months:
Jul 23, 2014, 11:09 am
#20
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For a small fee (in my eyes at least), I would be happy to assign a ticket to your name, if you want ticket on one of those flights.
I do think BA have a reason for this policy; and as others have said, if the passenger has a good reason not to be able to fly, travel insurance will cover this.
To my mind this works in everyone's favour.
Jul 23, 2014, 11:45 am
#21
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Last edited by Globaliser; Feb 27, 2019 at 9:46 am
Jul 23, 2014, 11:51 am
#22
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Jul 23, 2014, 1:20 pm
#23
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Are you absolutely certain about this? I have always seen this information quite clearly presented on ba.com (I assume you bought on ba.com?) before the purchase screen.
Can you replicate the booking that you made, and check do you really not see the warnings and fare rules?
Can you replicate the booking that you made, and check do you really not see the warnings and fare rules?
Jul 23, 2014, 1:24 pm
#24
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Thanks agehall. I have just checked myself now and done a dummy booking, and the new format "About your flights" section is there open on the price quote page just under the "save money on your booking" bit. No need to unhide it or click on anything to make it display. You have to scroll past it on your way to the bottom of the page to get to the check box confirming you have read everything.
Jul 23, 2014, 1:37 pm
#25
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ClaireDee , unfortunately the law is on BA's side here.
have you / can you document this familial misfortune as in surgery, deat what have you and appeal to the " human side" of BA ?
Good reminder upstream....assume the " cheaper " fares, hotel rooms etc come with NO Cancelation clause.
have you / can you document this familial misfortune as in surgery, deat what have you and appeal to the " human side" of BA ?
Good reminder upstream....assume the " cheaper " fares, hotel rooms etc come with NO Cancelation clause.
Jul 23, 2014, 2:34 pm
#26
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Stepping away from the specifics of this one for a second, I wonder if people realise they are buying a cheaper ticket. Ba.com isn't like some sites where you see a range of fares from fully restricted to fully flex in the same cabin.
It seems quite possible that someone paying £3,000+ may think that is full price and assume it carries some flex.
Of course none of this alters the fact that people should read the t&cs, but it may explain the surprise they feel when something like this happens.
It seems quite possible that someone paying £3,000+ may think that is full price and assume it carries some flex.
Of course none of this alters the fact that people should read the t&cs, but it may explain the surprise they feel when something like this happens.
Jul 23, 2014, 2:42 pm
#27
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But it really shouldn't be a surprise. I use ba.com a lot and often buy restricted CW tix. It's pretty clear as you click through, that there are terms and conditions that BA highlights for you and gets you confirm that you have read. Away from your point, and like most here, I'm sympathetic to her situation, it is the way it is and it's tough to see how and why BA should make an exception.
Jul 23, 2014, 3:02 pm
#28
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I agree that frequent users would know. I just think someone who rarely buys long haul tickets may not know the going rate.
But that's even more reason to check the small print. I'm not excusing such behaviour, just musing on how it might happen.
But that's even more reason to check the small print. I'm not excusing such behaviour, just musing on how it might happen.
Jul 23, 2014, 3:53 pm
#29
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Try calling again re: canceling the return ticket.
I had to miss a segment of a return (BA delay = missed connection and I could get to my destination faster by driving than getting the next BA flight the next day). I called them and the woman understood the situation and made sure my return flights were not cancelled. If there are serious family problems then they may be lenient.
I had to miss a segment of a return (BA delay = missed connection and I could get to my destination faster by driving than getting the next BA flight the next day). I called them and the woman understood the situation and made sure my return flights were not cancelled. If there are serious family problems then they may be lenient.
Jul 23, 2014, 3:58 pm
#30
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I have a certain sympathy for the OP
it is a timely warning to check the conditions of the ticket one purchases and it is not as if it is "small print" the conditions are quite clearly stated
depending on the exact circumstances that have required a change to be made I would look at any travel insurance you may have to see if you can work something out through that
it is a timely warning to check the conditions of the ticket one purchases and it is not as if it is "small print" the conditions are quite clearly stated
depending on the exact circumstances that have required a change to be made I would look at any travel insurance you may have to see if you can work something out through that