Originally Posted by
Often1
The question is "compensation" not whether BA rendered exemplary customer service.
EC 261/2004 applies to the operating carrier, e.g. US.
If BA feels up to it, it may choose to toss OP some avios or other gesture.
Compensation doesn't just mean EU261 compensation. As I said, I think BA should compensate OP here for their balls-up.
Originally Posted by
Often1
For what it is worth, nobody should ever rely on anything other than the records of the operating carrier. Period.
Experienced travellers know this, of course, but the majority don't. Most people in the OP's situation, having booked the holiday hrough BA, would think it reasonable to rely on BA for their basic flight details - departure times and flight numbers. This is especially so given that BA (a) specifically advised them about the cancellation and (b) specifically told them the (incorrect) details of the substitute flights.
It is very easy to criticise travellers on here for not checking details, but it's also important to understand what's reasonable and what's not. It's not reasonable for BA to give completely incorrect flight details in MMB. Period.