Because I couldnt book online [BA.com still crashes for my simple routing] I called in to book yesterday.

It took 45 mins to get the tkt booked, because they couldnt get it to work either. They said they have had major booking problems the last few weeks, and that a new system was supposed to come online monday, but didn't.

I couldnt get the $50 BA Visa off, or the $20 exec club off. my ticket was priced at $1210. at this point I dont know if I was charged $20 booking fee, [which I was told I wouldnt be. Frankly, after 45 mins, I just gave up.

After all the kerfuffle, I put it on 24hr hold so I could check in MMB that it was correct before I paid.

However the return was booked for the wrong month!

Called back in and the first agent I spoke was incredibly unhelpful and brusque. He just said there was nothing he could do, the tkt was booked all wrong, in all the wrong classes, fare codes.

he basically said he wanted nothing to do with it and told me to call back in and start the booking again with someone else !

Called back in and got another agent , who was helpful [which I do find to be the case most of the time with US BA]

another 30 mins, the return dates were changed, price was the same. $1210

got the e-receipt and Ive been charged $28 more than before.

so with the $50 visa, $20 book fee [says it on my receipt] and the mysterious $28, I'd guess Ive paid about $100 more than if the BA.com system was working.

its like fawlty towers over there at the moment

I dont have the time right now to call back in, but I probably will

moreover, this new ticket is 50% more expensive than I paid a year ago, has a 25% higher change fee, and loses MFU on return if I change dates.

furthermore, in terms of dollar/pound exchange, its improved from 2 ish to 1.4 ish in BAs favour

recession? what recession?

"British Airways, our planes are empty 'cos we want them to be" TM

rant off