Originally Posted by
Dave Noble
Avios bookings are flexible anyway as long as there is availkabillity, EC261 provides for next available flight - not dependant upon booking class being available - the -3/+14 exceeds this..
Originally Posted by
SK AAR
Sure, if there is Avios availability the OP will be allowed to rebook outside this window. If there is no availability, BA is not going to rebook into revenue class (and has no duty to do so under EU Reg. 261/04 unless it is the next available flight)
Just noticed these replies. The EC261 cancellation rules are below, and I've argued them with BA successfully pre-covid. { During COVID they actually adjusted their global policy to meet 261 standards for the most part with the exception of some ambiguity around ticket validity. }
The airline must offer you, on a one off basis, a choice between:
1. the reimbursement of your ticket and, if you have a connecting flight, a return flight to the airport of departure at the earliest opportunity
2. re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity or,
3. re-routing at a later date at your convenience under comparable transport conditions, subject to the availability of seats.
The only ambiguity in the wording of 261 is "later date" which could be either interpreted as later than departure date of the original flight, or later than the cancellation date.
If an agent ever tries to fob you off with -3 / +14 policy, advise them that what they have just said is in breach of the passenger rights laws and ask them to pass it to a supervisor.