Understanding the rules for domestic semi-flex fares
Although I often travel on semi-flex fares on UK domestics, I have rarely needed to exploit the flexibility they offer. A recent experience has suggested that I may not fully understand the rules that apply, or perhaps that agents have differing interpretations of the rules - or even that both these things are true :)
So, I'm seeking either information gained from experience, or from someone who believes they truly understand the fare rules, and in particular the part that applies to fee-free changes on the day of travel. In particular - is there a time limit for requesting that change? Does it have to be made before the departure time of the originally-booked flight? Does it have to be made before special cut-off time before the new flight? I ask because last week I was booked on an evening departure (18.35) from LHR to EDI on a semiflex ticket. On the day my plans changed leaving me free much earlier than I had expected. I thought I might just make the 16,30, but certainly the 17.35. I got to the customer service desk at 15.31. I was surprised to be told that if I wanted to get on the 16.30, there would be a fare difference to pay. The agent said that fee-free changes could only be made more than 1hr before the departure time of the new flight. I didn't argue, switched to the 17.35 and sampled the wine offerings in the lounge instead. This week I booked another semi-flex for the same LHR-EDI flight. I looked closely at the conditions during the booking process and nowhere could I see this rule mentioned. On this occasion, there's a significant chance that I won't get to LHR in time to make conformance, which will mean a much later flight. I want the flexibility to be on the earlier flight if possible, and to have a fee-free change to the later flight if it isn't. Semi-flex seems ideal for this. But I'm now concerned about when and how I have to make the change. Does it have to be done before the original departure time, or is it more like a fully-flex ticket on the day? If I check in for the original flight online, does that make a difference? Thanks for any insight anyone can offer. |
Does this help?
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/...horthaul-fares Flights can be changed on the same day for free to an early or later available flight. The customer’s original flight and the flight they change to; must both be within 00:00 and 23:59 local time of the departure airport. At least 1 hour’s notice must be given prior to the scheduled departure time. The routing (origin and destination airports) must remain unchanged. Routing or date changes made on the original day of departure may incur fare and/or tax differences, as usual. Changes are subject to availability on the new flight in the same cabin as the original flight. Free changes on the day are only available to Semi-Flex and Fully-Flex customers travelling on Shorthaul or Domestic point-to-point routes. Free changes on day are not specified on the fare rules in your GDS, due to the special conditions and process. |
The fare rules regarding changes are shown on ba.com when you get to the quote page, like this:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...52520quote.png |
I was just about to say the easiest way to double check is exactly how KARFA had suggested, on the booking screen under the fare rules section. However after quickly checking booking into the cheapest semi flex without on the day change fees, it appears the OP is actually correct. Most of the basic info is there, but I can't find anything that says "At least 1 hour’s notice must be given prior to the scheduled departure time."
Clearly the rules were correctly applied, but without Prospero's link one would maybe struggle to find this rule. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...ure12370-a.jpg |
Looks like this is another example of a BA.com error - is there a thread where it can be reported?
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Originally Posted by TyneTraveller
(Post 25774786)
I was just about to say the easiest way to double check is exactly how KARFA had suggested, on the booking screen under the fare rules section. However after quickly checking booking into the cheapest semi flex without on the day change fees, it appears the OP is actually correct. Most of the basic info is there, but I can't find anything that says "At least 1 hour’s notice must be given prior to the scheduled departure time."
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Originally Posted by KARFA
(Post 25775076)
Good point, I didn't realise that the 1 hr notice was not shown on the quote page.
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I've bought 'H' and 'B' class semi-flex fares (on domestics) before and not been allowed to change on the day, despite there being plenty of available seats. BA were only selling 'R' fares on the day, which I must say always seems to be the case. So, if 'H' and 'B' domestic fares don't seem to be available on the day, how exactly is one supposed to utilise the benefit of a semi-flex ticket? Is it all just a big con?
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Originally Posted by DPW
(Post 25777433)
I've bought 'H' and 'B' class semi-flex fares (on domestics) before and not been allowed to change on the day, despite there being plenty of available seats. BA were only selling 'R' fares on the day, which I must say always seems to be the case. So, if 'H' and 'B' domestic fares don't seem to be available on the day, how exactly is one supposed to utilise the benefit of a semi-flex ticket? Is it all just a big con?
They're not the type of tickets that suit my needs as a general stand, but if the rules are adhered to correctly by the traveller and agents alike, I think they represent quite good value for on the day flexibility compared to the other fully flexible options (and H/B offer full TP's too)? I wouldn't describe them as a con, just a bit more digging around on the rules is needed before purchase/transfer on all sides. |
Originally Posted by DPW
(Post 25777433)
I've bought 'H' and 'B' class semi-flex fares (on domestics) before and not been allowed to change on the day, despite there being plenty of available seats. BA were only selling 'R' fares on the day, which I must say always seems to be the case. So, if 'H' and 'B' domestic fares don't seem to be available on the day, how exactly is one supposed to utilise the benefit of a semi-flex ticket? Is it all just a big con?
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I've found the same. Unable to use semi-flex to change on the day of travel since I was advised the same fare class must be available on the earlier flight, not simply available seats, and there were no more seats in the class I had booked. Since this, I have stopped buying semi-flex as I can't have a reasonable level of certainty that I will be able to change.
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My understanding is that on H/B bucket tickets, that should not be the case.
Most tickets are to some extent flexible on the day incurring a change fee (usually £60 for domestic flights) and the difference in fare between original ticket and the ticket cost available at the time of change. |
Originally Posted by patentlyobvious
(Post 25777716)
I've found the same. Unable to use semi-flex to change on the day of travel since I was advised the same fare class must be available on the earlier flight, not simply available seats, and there were no more seats in the class I had booked. Since this, I have stopped buying semi-flex as I can't have a reasonable level of certainty that I will be able to change.
The whole point of these tickets is to allow changes as long as there is a seat free (regardless of bucket). Waterside lurkers - look and see how your good ideas to compete against Easyjet are being let down by poor training & controls, and costing your company hard cash. |
Originally Posted by DPW
(Post 25777433)
I've bought 'H' and 'B' class semi-flex fares (on domestics) before and not been allowed to change on the day, despite there being plenty of available seats. BA were only selling 'R' fares on the day, which I must say always seems to be the case. So, if 'H' and 'B' domestic fares don't seem to be available on the day, how exactly is one supposed to utilise the benefit of a semi-flex ticket? Is it all just a big con?
Having said that, I've looked at LHR to NCL and to EDI for travel today, a busy Friday. NCL there is no H available today, there aren't so many services, they're looking quite full and it's now showing Y9 H0 for all services. EDI is more complex, but the evening flights are filling up, but there is some H available (e.g. the very late BA1464 - a 767 at 20:55 and unpopular with weekly commuters, is showing: J9 C9 D9 R9 I9 Y9 B7 H3 K2 M0 LC VC NC QC OC SC G1 The G1 tells me this flight is not full by any means. So in short, you need to be careful with tickets other than semi flex. If ticketed in Y, it is probably OK, but won't be cheap normally, but if at B and below is probably best for mid week, middle of the day travel on less busy services. When BA says R only, it's typically in the final hour before departure, it's not routine for further out. |
Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave
(Post 25778018)
I've looked at LHR to NCL and to EDI for travel today, a busy Friday. NCL there is no H available today, there aren't so many services, they're looking quite full and it's now showing Y9 H0 for all services.
So in short, you need to be careful with semi flex. Semi flex in Y is probably OK, but won't be cheap normally, but semi flex at B and below is probably best for mid week, middle of the day travel on less busy services. |
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