BA is not always slow and difficult in settling compensation claims. Although we get lots of threads complaining about compensation the following happened to Mrs Greenpen and I:

January 19 Flight cancelled due to snow, had to book hotel overnight
January 20 Flew (to OSL) on rebooking, upgrade to CE at gate
January 26 Sent claim and hotel receipt by post
January 28 Email acknowledgement of claim
February 13 Email asking for a letter from Mrs Greenpen giving me permission to deal with the claim
February 14 Mrs Greenpen's letter sent
February 23 Email saying cheque covering the hotel would be sent
February 28 Cheque arrives

We only claimed the hotel (£129 at the Paddington Hilton) as other expenses, like dinner that evening and travel, would have been incurred anyway.

I think this is very efficient, particularly as a large number of flights were cancelled because of the weather and many claims would have to be processed.