They tried to offload me... A Gold in J 'Domestic'
Aug 16, 2015, 2:51 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 395
It doesn't seem like they actually threatened to offload you from the flight at any point... they offered to reroute you. You said no. So they didn't.
Staff on the ground sometimes know little about BAEC rules etc etc which is ridiculous - I agree. But if anything they were trying to help you in this case....
The question you asked them ("why was a Gold member on a CE/J fare being asked to be offloaded?") was really the wrong question. The question should have been "why was a Gold member on a CE/J fare being offered a more direct route instead of the itinerary he booked?".... and suddenly the situation doesn't seem so outrageous (and is more representative of what it seems really happened given your description).
Staff on the ground sometimes know little about BAEC rules etc etc which is ridiculous - I agree. But if anything they were trying to help you in this case....
The question you asked them ("why was a Gold member on a CE/J fare being asked to be offloaded?") was really the wrong question. The question should have been "why was a Gold member on a CE/J fare being offered a more direct route instead of the itinerary he booked?".... and suddenly the situation doesn't seem so outrageous (and is more representative of what it seems really happened given your description).
Aug 16, 2015, 2:55 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA and UK
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Silver, Alitalia Freccia Alata
Posts: 1,351
In all seriousness, you are assigning far too much blame to the lounge angels.
They had an overbooked flight. They tried to find a solution and say you were a potential pax to be given the chance of a direct flight, which they offered to you, to help them solve their problem.
Yes, they were misadvised about the BAEC conditions, but they at no point tried to offload you. To them, they were probably thinking they were helping you out because of the shorter journey time. The overbooked flight gave them the opportunity to give this direct flight to you.
You refused their offer and they kept you onboard.
They had an overbooked flight. They tried to find a solution and say you were a potential pax to be given the chance of a direct flight, which they offered to you, to help them solve their problem.
Yes, they were misadvised about the BAEC conditions, but they at no point tried to offload you. To them, they were probably thinking they were helping you out because of the shorter journey time. The overbooked flight gave them the opportunity to give this direct flight to you.
You refused their offer and they kept you onboard.
Aug 16, 2015, 2:57 pm
#19
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Location: Montreux CH
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+1. I think nonstop flight is much better than connecting, and available nonstop routing the likely source of the offer (although status could have given you priority if there were several passengers flying the same as frankly it was a nice offer).
I also agree with Prospero the TP answer was simply lack of knowledge. Do remember that BAEC and BA are two different things. Most BA people have no clue about BAEC and if you ask them a question that relates to it, you may often get answers that are simply wrong. If you had accepted the offer, you would have been able to claim the Avios and TPs for the original routing whilst enjoying a couple more hours in Amsterdam, a hot meal and a less tiring trip! I would have said yes in a heartbeat...
I also agree with Prospero the TP answer was simply lack of knowledge. Do remember that BAEC and BA are two different things. Most BA people have no clue about BAEC and if you ask them a question that relates to it, you may often get answers that are simply wrong. If you had accepted the offer, you would have been able to claim the Avios and TPs for the original routing whilst enjoying a couple more hours in Amsterdam, a hot meal and a less tiring trip! I would have said yes in a heartbeat...
Aug 16, 2015, 3:00 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
TBH I find the thread title a bit sensational.
From what you say they did not try to offload you, then simply offered you a direct flight probably thinking they were doing you a favour avoiding the transit at Heathrow. I very much doubt that it would have resulted in an involuntary offload.
As has been pointed out elsewhere you would have got the TPs (Ok not ideal that you were misinformed) and probably arrived earlier at destination.
It's not the end of the world.
From what you say they did not try to offload you, then simply offered you a direct flight probably thinking they were doing you a favour avoiding the transit at Heathrow. I very much doubt that it would have resulted in an involuntary offload.
As has been pointed out elsewhere you would have got the TPs (Ok not ideal that you were misinformed) and probably arrived earlier at destination.
It's not the end of the world.
Aug 16, 2015, 3:00 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: City of Kingston Upon Hull
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 4,940
In all seriousness, you are assigning far too much blame to the lounge angels.
They had an overbooked flight. They tried to find a solution and say you were a potential pax to be given the chance of a direct flight, which they offered to you, to help them solve their problem.
Yes, they were misadvised about the BAEC conditions, but they at no point tried to offload you. To them, they were probably thinking they were helping you out because of the shorter journey time. The overbooked flight gave them the opportunity to give this direct flight to you.
You refused their offer and they kept you onboard.
They had an overbooked flight. They tried to find a solution and say you were a potential pax to be given the chance of a direct flight, which they offered to you, to help them solve their problem.
Yes, they were misadvised about the BAEC conditions, but they at no point tried to offload you. To them, they were probably thinking they were helping you out because of the shorter journey time. The overbooked flight gave them the opportunity to give this direct flight to you.
You refused their offer and they kept you onboard.
Aug 16, 2015, 3:04 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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Sorry you're correct - hot meals start at 120 minutes and GLA-AMS is only 95 minutes so it would have been a cold meal.
Aug 16, 2015, 3:09 pm
#23
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Under the BAEC terms and conditions, rxfleming would have been eligible to receive the original routing credit TPs and avios as it was BA that was rerouting him. The lounge attendant probably didn't know this. From the terms and conditions:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...onnection.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ost-miles.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...r-airline.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...-question.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...iming-tps.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...onnection.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ost-miles.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...r-airline.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...-question.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...iming-tps.html
Aug 16, 2015, 3:11 pm
#24
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
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They asked if you wanted to switch. You declined.
From what you say they didn't start shaking their heads, looking at you with daggers drawn, tut-tutted you or muttered at how awful you were for refusing.
Many people would have appreciated the offer to change flights even if they had declined.
From what you say they didn't start shaking their heads, looking at you with daggers drawn, tut-tutted you or muttered at how awful you were for refusing.
Many people would have appreciated the offer to change flights even if they had declined.
Aug 16, 2015, 3:13 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: London
Posts: 3,500
Aug 16, 2015, 4:18 pm
#26
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,926
I was offered a voluntary re-route from MAN to FRA. The MAN flight was heavily oversold and I was chosen because of my status (the Angels at MAN know me and thought I'd appreciate a short-cut). I gladly accepted.
I was credited with the appropriate TPs and Avios, no questions asked
I was credited with the appropriate TPs and Avios, no questions asked
Aug 16, 2015, 4:20 pm
#27
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,150
I was offered a voluntary re-route from MAN to FRA. The MAN flight was heavily oversold and I was chosen because of my status (the Angels at MAN know me and thought I'd appreciate a short-cut). I gladly accepted.
I was credited with the appropriate TPs and Avios, no questions asked
I was credited with the appropriate TPs and Avios, no questions asked
Aug 16, 2015, 4:26 pm
#28
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
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Location: UK/Las Vegas
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Aug 16, 2015, 6:07 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2003
Location: DEL
Programs: Mucci du Miel d'Or
Posts: 2,374
They asked if you wanted to switch. You declined.
From what you say they didn't start shaking their heads, looking at you with daggers drawn, tut-tutted you or muttered at how awful you were for refusing.
Many people would have appreciated the offer to change flights even if they had declined.
From what you say they didn't start shaking their heads, looking at you with daggers drawn, tut-tutted you or muttered at how awful you were for refusing.
Many people would have appreciated the offer to change flights even if they had declined.