is ba the worst airline on earth?
Nov 27, 2015, 8:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 7
is ba the worst airline on earth?
I sure would like to get rid of my ba miles. every year I try to fly to Europe from usa and they NEVER have seats and if they do their is a ten hour lay over, or u have to transfer airports. last year finally ba found me a seat (yes u have to call an operator because their web site is useless).. and for a one way trip to Italy from usa. they wanted 400 dollars in tax for the London airport. now I know why the usa separated from england in 1776. what a joke ba is. I have been collecting miles from them for over 12 years and have yet to get any decent flight option from them. thier website is useless. if I want a Europe flight on united. it takes 3 minutes of searching on their site for success.
Last edited by yogavnture; Nov 27, 2015 at 8:27 pm Reason: sp
Nov 27, 2015, 8:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: KSA
Programs: BA LTG, UA Gold, EK Silver, Hilton LT Diamond, Marriott LT Titanium, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,242
I sure would like to get rid of my ba miles. every year I try to fly to Europe from usa and they NEVER have seats and if they do their is a ten hour lay over, or u have to transfer airports. last year finally ba found me a seat (yes u have to call an operator because their web site is useless).. and for a one way trip to Italy from usa. they wanted 400 dollars in tax for the London airport. now I know why the usa separated from england in 1776. what a joke ba is. I have been collecting miles from them for over 12 years and have yet to get any decent flight option from them. thier website is useless. if I want a Europe flight on united. it takes 3 minutes of searching on their site for success.
I am taking my kids to SFO for Christmas on Avios. I have a paid J ticket from Istanbul and they have J from LHR on Avios so we have 3 tkts for 2.5K in J paid/Avios.
Maybe you should spend longer having a look around as there are often things you want if you take the time
Nov 27, 2015, 8:50 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL, BA Amex Prem, Amex Plat, Hilton Diamond, Sir Crazy8534 de l'ordres des aides de Pucci
Posts: 4,457
Indeed, the cost of redemption flights on BA was a major factor in the unrest that led to the Boston tea party "no YQ taxation without seat representation". 
The good news is that BA now say that they release at least 2 seats in CW on every flight, normally at 355 days out, so if you are on the ball you can usually get a seat. In terms of onward SH connections to Europe it can be better to book whatever is available at the time of the LH flight and then keep an eye on availability for more convenient times to change to later.
The other thing to consider given the problems you have had is whether you are better collecting miles in a different program? But then people often find that the ease of collection of miles is inversely proportional to ease of their use.
Good luck anyway!
The good news is that BA now say that they release at least 2 seats in CW on every flight, normally at 355 days out, so if you are on the ball you can usually get a seat. In terms of onward SH connections to Europe it can be better to book whatever is available at the time of the LH flight and then keep an eye on availability for more convenient times to change to later.
The other thing to consider given the problems you have had is whether you are better collecting miles in a different program? But then people often find that the ease of collection of miles is inversely proportional to ease of their use.
Good luck anyway!
Nov 27, 2015, 8:58 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA Lifetime Gold 1.8mm, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold et al
Posts: 4,350
Not the best but certainly not the worst IMHO. YQ and the website are without doubt 2 of the worst features but there are a few (diminishing) hotspots in there just like all the others.
If you're struggling to spend your avios have a look at hotel redemptions which are much more available and, with a bit of time spent and care taken, often represent good value. You can then spend the money you've saved on the flights.
If you're struggling to spend your avios have a look at hotel redemptions which are much more available and, with a bit of time spent and care taken, often represent good value. You can then spend the money you've saved on the flights.
Nov 27, 2015, 9:32 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
Seems you don't like BA or any of their cohorts and also have a dislike of United airlines. Is there an airline you do like?
Nov 27, 2015, 11:54 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA, U2+, SK, AF/KL, IHG, Hilton, others gathering dust...
Posts: 2,552
OP - interested as to why you have kept crediting to BAEC for so long if this is such an issue to you. Is there something else about the programme that you do like, which meant you stayed? Otherwise, why didn't you credit to, for example, AA? You don't mention if the Avios were actually earned flying on BA, so I'm curious.
Nov 28, 2015, 12:33 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
I read the OP's other posts.
The OP didn't indicate any problem with UA, in fact was praising their ease with Europe redemptions (which I have no idea is justified or not).
OP - interested as to why you have kept crediting to BAEC for so long if this is such an issue to you. Is there something else about the programme that you do like, which meant you stayed? Otherwise, why didn't you credit to, for example, AA? You don't mention if the Avios were actually earned flying on BA, so I'm curious.
OP - interested as to why you have kept crediting to BAEC for so long if this is such an issue to you. Is there something else about the programme that you do like, which meant you stayed? Otherwise, why didn't you credit to, for example, AA? You don't mention if the Avios were actually earned flying on BA, so I'm curious.
Nov 28, 2015, 12:46 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA, U2+, SK, AF/KL, IHG, Hilton, others gathering dust...
Posts: 2,552
Nov 28, 2015, 12:47 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: EXT
Programs: British Airways Executive Club, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Posts: 294
Nov 28, 2015, 1:17 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,022
BA have known carrier impossed cash surcharge on award flights
Do not confuse real taxes with carrier impossed cash surcharges (=profit).
Those that do are being taken as fools by the airlines.
Nov 28, 2015, 1:33 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
How apt that we had this yesterday: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...n-popcorn.html