Originally Posted by
Often1
OP is stuck with seeking goodwill from BA. EC 261/2004 will not work in this instance, although it could have worked quite well.
1. When OP was offered the choice of the night at ZRH and a reroute in the morning, I presume that the overnight would have included hotel and meal vouchers. Alternatively, wait it out and maybe make it back home.
With Option 1 - OP would have had his hotel & meals, a reroute and TP. All would be well.
With Option 2 - OP would have EUR 250 in EC 261/2004 compensation and his TP. All would be well.
I fully appreciate that OP was tired. But, at least a call to BA on the reroute?
2. But, OP chose a refund of his ticket and then struck out on his own. Once he did that, he was on his own. Whether it was to a hotel and back home or off to some other place never to return does not matter. He is entitled to neither a "duty of care" nor cancellation (delay) compensation.
Rather, he would do far better to reach out in a very clear way on the TP. That is purely a customer service gesture issue. What militates against the TP is that OP took the refund. But, that seems minor under the circumstances where BA has saved itself EUR 250 or a hotel & meals.
Fair enough but just for clarity I didn't request a refund for the ticket I didn't use, the customer care took this upon themselves to do when I first complained. If I had asked for a refund then clearly I wouldn't expect the TPs. I struck out on my own because of the chaos at the gate and the fact I was knackered. I didn't wait out the 3.5 hours because I knew it would be that long a wait as they had said it would be at least 3 hours.
I must admit I am a bit confused about when it is ok to paddle your own canoe. When faced with a chaotic situation, it seems very reasonable to take action yourself and expect some recompense later even if you don't get everything back.