BA phone fees when online tool doesn't recognize destination city
Sep 28, 2013, 6:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New York, NY
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BA phone fees when online tool doesn't recognize destination city
Very frustrating experience. Wanted to book intra-Peru flight on LA to Cuzco using Avios. BA online didn't recognize city even if I typed 3-letter code. So I had to call to book. $100 fee for family of 4. Agent says no discretion to waive. Emailed BA and they responded to call local agent.
Sep 28, 2013, 7:09 am
#3
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Very frustrating experience. Wanted to book intra-Peru flight on LA to Cuzco using Avios. BA online didn't recognize city even if I typed 3-letter code. So I had to call to book. $100 fee for family of 4. Agent says no discretion to waive. Emailed BA and they responded to call local agent.
Sep 28, 2013, 3:33 pm
#4
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New York, NY
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Posts: 79
Seems like right approach. Not a lack of "functionality" because the ability to book LAN online does exist. I didn't hang up and try again because this agent (i got her name) swore she used to always waive in this circumstance but now they are forbidden. Seems absurd given that having a complete directory of cities doesn't seem like such a complication to have.
Sep 28, 2013, 3:51 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
I'm with the OP on this one.
He shouldn't have been charged an offline booking fee just because BA's IT is lacking. LAN served routes used to show online but quite a few aren't any more for some strange reason.
He shouldn't have been charged an offline booking fee just because BA's IT is lacking. LAN served routes used to show online but quite a few aren't any more for some strange reason.
Sep 28, 2013, 6:05 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Seems like right approach. Not a lack of "functionality" because the ability to book LAN online does exist. I didn't hang up and try again because this agent (i got her name) swore she used to always waive in this circumstance but now they are forbidden. Seems absurd given that having a complete directory of cities doesn't seem like such a complication to have.
In your situation I would of tried the normal hang up and try again but if that didn't work I would pay up and then put pen to paper and send a proper letter to BA detailing why I felt it u fair to be charging in this situation.
cs
Sep 28, 2013, 7:02 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,534
BA phone fees when online tool doesn't recognize destination city
I recently spent 58 minutes on the phone when unable to pay for JAL domestic Avios booking where the cash element was zero. BA . Com could not cope at payment page. The agent wanted to assist but no one would allow the waiver. In the end it was only waived when their it people discovered they could not make it work either. I could not help thinking that they had lost a lot more business than my £100 in fees by tying up one agent plus it support for almost an hour!