FCO lounge or lack of it and compensation
Jun 10, 2015, 10:17 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 152
After my recent experience with BA in a number of European locations, I get the clear impression that lounges are very low on the priority list to get sorted, either at new or established locations. If the FCO lounge wasn't rebuilt I wouldn't be surprised. The fact that lounges are often used as a selling point for Gold/Silver/CE seems irrelevant. BA really do not care if there is a lounge of not.
Quite frankly I can only laugh at anyone that would bother buying CE anyway. The service is not premium by any extent and you're pretty rammed in there, just like the Y pax.
Yes I speak as a GCH so always have access to the lounge but even if I didn't, would I purchase a CE ticket so I could? Never in a billion years.
Jun 10, 2015, 10:28 am
#17
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Lounges are a complimentary service. When you buy a premium ticket, you aren't buying the complimentary services as part of the package. You are just paying for a better product and service for your transportation from point A to B. The lounges are a way of the airline showing you gratitude for your custom. In this case the BA does not need to compensate you for the lack of a lounge thereof.
Your argument that "lounges are a complimentary service" is totally false. BA does not advertise its lounges as being free or complimentary or any similar word. If it did so while requiring the purchase of a ticket in order to access the lounges, it would be in breach of Schedule 1 Regulation 20 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Jun 10, 2015, 12:25 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: London
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Jun 10, 2015, 3:08 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
"Sorry sir but the lounge does exist. Unfortunately it had been reduced to ashes in a fire a couple of months back but rules is rules and no vouchers are available.
Jun 10, 2015, 4:01 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,376
If you look at the features and benefits now of Club Europe now it says Where available, lounges to work or relax before your flight as opposed to Lounges to work or relax before your flight.. In KRK despite BA telling me before that there would be lounge access the airport made no secret of the fact that BA wouldn't sign the contract for lounge provision.
Jun 10, 2015, 6:01 pm
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,209
Were you flying in CE or a status pax in ET?
I'd have been miffed if I was in CE and nothing else not even a voucher was offered. Those with status flying in ET? A case of tough luck I'm afraid.
I'd have been miffed if I was in CE and nothing else not even a voucher was offered. Those with status flying in ET? A case of tough luck I'm afraid.
Jun 10, 2015, 6:07 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 113
This argument has no legal basis. Where do you get this rubbish from? If a business advertises a component as part of a service, then the provision of that component forms part of the contract for the service. By failing to provide the advertised lounge, BA is in breach of contract. The only exception is where BA drew the consumer's attention to the lack of a lounge before the contract was concluded (i.e. before the purchase of the ticket). The passenger has a right to claim damages from BA in respect of its breach of contract. Such damages would include the cost of entry to another lounge or the purchase of refreshments from elsewhere in the airport.
Your argument that "lounges are a complimentary service" is totally false. BA does not advertise its lounges as being free or complimentary or any similar word. If it did so while requiring the purchase of a ticket in order to access the lounges, it would be in breach of Schedule 1 Regulation 20 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Your argument that "lounges are a complimentary service" is totally false. BA does not advertise its lounges as being free or complimentary or any similar word. If it did so while requiring the purchase of a ticket in order to access the lounges, it would be in breach of Schedule 1 Regulation 20 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/lounges
All lounge access is subject to capacity restrictions. The restriction for FCO is due to the fire. It doesn't state anywhere on the website or the ticket that if there is no lounge you are ENTITLED to a voucher.
Jun 10, 2015, 11:37 pm
#25
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
If you look at the features and benefits now of Club Europe now it says Where available, lounges to work or relax before your flight as opposed to Lounges to work or relax before your flight.. In KRK despite BA telling me before that there would be lounge access the airport made no secret of the fact that BA wouldn't sign the contract for lounge provision.
Seems odd then, that they persist with the comedy offerings at places like GOA and BOD.
Jun 11, 2015, 12:53 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: SEA
Posts: 1
FCO Lounge
My first post! We flew from FCO on the way to LHR this past Saturday. I asked at the CE/CW check-in desk if the lounge was re-opened and told "sorry, no it is not." I replied that was probably disappointing to Business Class folks who expected to be able to stop by for a drink or food, and the BA person said "yes, and also disappointing to all other passengers hoping to shop at the businesses in Terminal 3 that are now closed." No offer of voucher or anything, but I had known that in advance.
Last edited by Carolyn_in_Edmonds, WA; Jun 12, 2015 at 7:18 am
Jun 11, 2015, 1:24 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
This argument has no legal basis. Where do you get this rubbish from? If a business advertises a component as part of a service, then the provision of that component forms part of the contract for the service. By failing to provide the advertised lounge, BA is in breach of contract. The only exception is where BA drew the consumer's attention to the lack of a lounge before the contract was concluded (i.e. before the purchase of the ticket). The passenger has a right to claim damages from BA in respect of its breach of contract. Such damages would include the cost of entry to another lounge or the purchase of refreshments from elsewhere in the airport.
Your argument that "lounges are a complimentary service" is totally false. BA does not advertise its lounges as being free or complimentary or any similar word. If it did so while requiring the purchase of a ticket in order to access the lounges, it would be in breach of Schedule 1 Regulation 20 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Your argument that "lounges are a complimentary service" is totally false. BA does not advertise its lounges as being free or complimentary or any similar word. If it did so while requiring the purchase of a ticket in order to access the lounges, it would be in breach of Schedule 1 Regulation 20 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Jun 11, 2015, 1:39 pm
#28
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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My first post! We flew from FCO on the way to LHR this past Saturday. I asked at the CE/CW check-in desk if the lounge was re-opened and told "sorry, not it is not." I replied that was probably disappointing to Business Class folks who expected to be able to stop by for a drink or food, and the BA person said "yes, and also disappointing to all other passengers hoping to shop at the businesses in Terminal 3 that are now closed." No offer of voucher or anything, but I had known that in advance.
Jun 11, 2015, 4:57 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Australia
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Posts: 188
I remember a few years ago when coming back from Naples that BA apologised that the lounge was closed for refurb (or was being constructed) and offered vouchers to CE pax to use throughout the airport.
Hopefully, when the FCO lounge re-opens we can look forward to something akin to the new AMS lounge, including improved catering!
Hopefully, when the FCO lounge re-opens we can look forward to something akin to the new AMS lounge, including improved catering!
Jun 11, 2015, 5:17 pm
#30
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