Originally Posted by
csycsycsy
Looks like IB3103 was actually cancelled, but perhaps after OP had already departed LIS on BA. Does the timing matter? Ie OP can only claim the self reroute costs (and not go for refund) if they had booked it after the flight was cancelled? Or if by LIS-MAD being delayed (but not even by a lot) but then making last same night MAD-LHR impossible, and the gate agent refusing to rebook, is enough mandate for OP to self reroute and get refunded for it? Good (silver lining for OP) that the fliht was actually cancelled though and not OP being a no-show.
Yeah, if LIS-MAD was cancelled then IB should have no problem issuing a refund for the cancelled flights. I assume that would be more attractive than getting the Avios back for the replacement flight. And IB should consider themselves lucky to avoid duty of care and delay compensation and just pay out.
The problem with "the gate agent refused to re-book" is that there is nothing in writing. EC261 works more smoothly when people are actually re-booked by the airline and actually delayed. It's not quite so straightforward when airlines say something verbally and passengers say "that's not good enough" and make their own alternative arrangements.