BA refunds
Jan 13, 2012, 1:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: AAdvantage Gold, UA 2P
Posts: 953
BA refunds
Hello all, how good is BA with refunding tickets. Want to help my Grandparents who do not fly much through the whole process and with their bags, but I have heard getting a gate pass is hit or miss. I have no problem swiping the card, I just do not want there to be something where I am waiting 6 weeks for the refund.
Jan 13, 2012, 1:44 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC (Gold), Hilton (Gold)
Posts: 4,168
Hello all, how good is BA with refunding tickets. Want to help my Grandparents who do not fly much through the whole process and with their bags, but I have heard getting a gate pass is hit or miss. I have no problem swiping the card, I just do not want there to be something where I am waiting 6 weeks for the refund.
What airport are they departing from ?
To be honest, if you feel they cannot negotiate Security > Gate what are you going to do for the return trip ? (assuming they are coming back !)
BAH
Jan 13, 2012, 1:52 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: AAdvantage Gold, UA 2P
Posts: 953
Leaving from ORD, but yes would like to get them to the gate if possible. I am driving them to ORD tonight so figured why not. Also the last time they flew was before 9-11 when you could just go to the gate. They probably can navigate this, but if it just a simple manner of buying a ticket and refunding it I would rather just do that. I have a cousin on the other side of the pond that will be getting them, what they will do for the way back is up to her.
Jan 13, 2012, 2:21 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: Lord OPebble - Mucci of the Hour. Diamond Class MUCCI.Chevalier du Circle Intime de Pucci
Posts: 7,088
Gate passes are long gone I am afraid! 
You could buy a cheapo ticket to the same destination but I have a feeling that escaping from the Airport is going to take some doing. Unless you buy a fully flexible ticket the admin charges are going to eat a big hole in the refund - if any!
You could buy a cheapo ticket to the same destination but I have a feeling that escaping from the Airport is going to take some doing. Unless you buy a fully flexible ticket the admin charges are going to eat a big hole in the refund - if any!
Jan 13, 2012, 2:44 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC (Gold), Hilton (Gold)
Posts: 4,168
Well the last time I had to cancel a BA ticket I cancelled online and the refund went back into my account within about 2-3 days.
I suppose you could buy a fully flex ticket and offload yourself at the gate, but you'll cause a headache for the staff if you do as they'll have to get you out of the airport; I can't imagine this is going to endear you to anyone very much.
I honestly think if you feel your grandparents are unable to get to the gate on their own then sending them abroad is not a good idea. How are they going to negotiate UK Immigration ? Baggage Reclaim ? Then negotiate US Immigration and Baggage Reclaim on their way back ?
BAH
I suppose you could buy a fully flex ticket and offload yourself at the gate, but you'll cause a headache for the staff if you do as they'll have to get you out of the airport; I can't imagine this is going to endear you to anyone very much.
I honestly think if you feel your grandparents are unable to get to the gate on their own then sending them abroad is not a good idea. How are they going to negotiate UK Immigration ? Baggage Reclaim ? Then negotiate US Immigration and Baggage Reclaim on their way back ?
BAH
Jan 13, 2012, 3:27 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NC
Programs: Priority Club Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 428
Sorry I cannot help you specifically with BA but in general in the U.S. it's not difficult to get a gate pass provided your grandparents are elderly and need assistance. My grandma was elderly but not frail so I did not push it but I've got it several times with no problems.
Jan 13, 2012, 8:47 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Her Majesty's United Kingdom
Programs: BA Gold, BA Lounge Rats, BA Audit Survivors, CW Kitchen Defender, CX Noodle Connoisseurs Club
Posts: 5,955
When I travelled with an elderly relative not so long ago, we requested "special assistance" for him at check in and he was assigned a wheelchair+driver then we were (all) taken through fast track security into the lounge (the public one, don't get too excited), and they even drove us to the aircraft a good 10 minutes before anyone else boarded using a special type of lorry (that's a truck) which lifted us right up to the door of the aircraft.
I'm honestly not sure whether it was the airport or BA that provided this service but it didn't cost any extra. ^
Edit: I have thought about befriending random granny's in the check in queue so we can do this again, am i evil?
I'm honestly not sure whether it was the airport or BA that provided this service but it didn't cost any extra. ^
Edit: I have thought about befriending random granny's in the check in queue so we can do this again, am i evil?
Last edited by PanGalactic; Jan 13, 2012 at 8:52 pm Reason: to add humour