Sep 29, 2016, 2:55 am
Last edit by: Aus_Mal
This thread is for opinions on the concept of Buy on Board, concerned with the rights or wrongs of the decision to introduce it.
An information thread exists for your questions, particularly if they are on factual matters, here:
Buy on board: Information guide for BA shorthaul economy services
There is a separate thread for experiences, anecdotes, reactions and related comments, which is to be found here:
Buy on board: Experiences and reactions from BA's shorthaul economy services
Useful sub-links
chongcao posted a comparison of other oneworld airlines' BOB prices
Not happy about these changes?
If you have an existing booking, you may be able to complain and get 1000 Avios or cancel for free until 28 days before departure. BA's complaint form.
However, in November 2016, phone calls to BA indicated that "no refunds would be given as food & drinks were complimentary and not part of the T&C."
An information thread exists for your questions, particularly if they are on factual matters, here:
Buy on board: Information guide for BA shorthaul economy services
There is a separate thread for experiences, anecdotes, reactions and related comments, which is to be found here:
Buy on board: Experiences and reactions from BA's shorthaul economy services
Useful sub-links
chongcao posted a comparison of other oneworld airlines' BOB prices
Not happy about these changes?
If you have an existing booking, you may be able to complain and get 1000 Avios or cancel for free until 28 days before departure. BA's complaint form.
However, in November 2016, phone calls to BA indicated that "no refunds would be given as food & drinks were complimentary and not part of the T&C."
Buy on board: Implemented on BA short haul - opinions on the concept
Oct 5, 2016, 7:23 pm
#1292
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
Having received a completely irrelevant cut-n-paste response to my first communication with BA Customer Services, I resubmitted my claim for compensation Avios. This is part of the reply I received:So, not only does it look like I will not be receiving any kind of compensation in lieu of the free food and drink that was promised at the time I booked my flights, but also that BA is performing a complete U-turn on its previous advertising claim that complementary food was popular and set it apart from other airlines.
We have received your query and appreciate the time you took to reach out to us. Our pax data including survey results are proprietary and therefore cannot be shared with anyone.
A cut & paste reply would have to be something worthy of framing.
Ouch !
Oct 5, 2016, 11:19 pm
#1293
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: AA ex-EXP, 2MM (ex DL, ex TWA)
Posts: 1,427
Oct 5, 2016, 11:54 pm
#1294
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,254
I don't support BA's decision in removing inclusive F&B in ET but they've not trampled on your legal rights.
I guess if you really felt that 1,000 Avios wouldn't cover your F&B costs on a given flight (feasible on band 3-4) and you couldn't get a refund and buy an alternative flight on another carrier then you could send BA your receipt for your purchases after flying and demand a refund. It's petty but I expect BA would pay up rather than deal with a small claim for which is likely to be sub Ł15.
Oct 6, 2016, 1:40 am
#1295
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
You're rather getting your panties in a twist about this. BA has offered you the chance to cancel your flight without penalty or to receive 1,000 Avios compensation which can be used to purchase roughly what BA would have otherwise provided.
I don't support BA's decision in removing inclusive F&B in ET but they've not trampled on your legal rights.
I don't support BA's decision in removing inclusive F&B in ET but they've not trampled on your legal rights.
It isn't a chargeback/S75 issue.
There are few destinations that can't be accessed on another carrier.
Reality with this things is always that you get plenty of venting but in a year's time most of those people will still be flying BA. Principally due to convenience, addiction to status, or because they are flying at someone else's expense.
Oct 6, 2016, 1:55 am
#1296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,140
Just had exactly the same email as others ...
I wonder what I will spend that on? Not BoB, that's for sure! 
I can see you made your booking before our new catering offering was announced. I’m sorry the current complimentary service will no longer be available when you travel. However, you’ll now be able to buy from the delicious and seasonally inspired M&S menu. Branded beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks will also be available to buy.
As a gesture, please accept 1,000 Avios. The Avios have been added to your Executive Club account and can be used to purchase items on board short-haul flights from 11 January.
As a gesture, please accept 1,000 Avios. The Avios have been added to your Executive Club account and can be used to purchase items on board short-haul flights from 11 January.
Oct 6, 2016, 2:03 am
#1297
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,114
So I tried calling up again regarding my 6 shorthaul bookings from January. They offered me the 1,000 Avios for the 6 bookings. I typically have 2 drinks and the snack which equates to roughly Ł15 from the new menu, so Ł90 for my 6 flights and they've offered me 1,000 Avios in total, about Ł10. To say I'm disgusted is putting it mildly.
I'm tempted to respond and forewarn them that I will purchase equivalent items onboard and pursue them after the flights under the Consumer Rights Act (I need to do some more reading). I would offer them alternative of upgrading me to CE, but I've got exit row seats...
Oct 6, 2016, 2:19 am
#1298
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,395
I note that the particular cut & paste response received by T8191 talks of a 'seasonally-inspired M&S menu.....'
What is it about menus that encourages so many empty words ....?
The sample options I've seen listed so far include such exotic delights as bacon rolls, cheese sandwiches and beef sandwiches. Nothing inherently wrong with those per se - albeit highly unimaginative ; but which of them I wonder are worthy of the description 'seasonally-inspired' ......
What is it about menus that encourages so many empty words ....?
The sample options I've seen listed so far include such exotic delights as bacon rolls, cheese sandwiches and beef sandwiches. Nothing inherently wrong with those per se - albeit highly unimaginative ; but which of them I wonder are worthy of the description 'seasonally-inspired' ......
Oct 6, 2016, 2:22 am
#1299
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,114
You're rather getting your panties in a twist about this. BA has offered you the chance to cancel your flight without penalty or to receive 1,000 Avios compensation which can be used to purchase roughly what BA would have otherwise provided.
I don't support BA's decision in removing inclusive F&B in ET but they've not trampled on your legal rights.
I guess if you really felt that 1,000 Avios wouldn't cover your F&B costs on a given flight (feasible on band 3-4) and you couldn't get a refund and buy an alternative flight on another carrier then you could send BA your receipt for your purchases after flying and demand a refund. It's petty but I expect BA would pay up rather than deal with a small claim for which is likely to be sub Ł15.
I don't support BA's decision in removing inclusive F&B in ET but they've not trampled on your legal rights.
I guess if you really felt that 1,000 Avios wouldn't cover your F&B costs on a given flight (feasible on band 3-4) and you couldn't get a refund and buy an alternative flight on another carrier then you could send BA your receipt for your purchases after flying and demand a refund. It's petty but I expect BA would pay up rather than deal with a small claim for which is likely to be sub Ł15.
(I tend to treat these sorts of situations as an amusing diversion and a chance to 'discipline' errant companies)
Oct 6, 2016, 2:23 am
#1300
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,114
I note that the particular cut & paste response received by T8191 talks of a 'seasonally-inspired M&S menu.....'
What is it about menus that encourages so many empty words ....?
The sample options I've seen listed so far include such exotic delights as bacon rolls, cheese sandwiches and beef sandwiches. Nothing inherently wrong with those per se - albeit highly unimaginative ; but which of them I wonder are worthy of the description 'seasonally-inspired' ......
What is it about menus that encourages so many empty words ....?
The sample options I've seen listed so far include such exotic delights as bacon rolls, cheese sandwiches and beef sandwiches. Nothing inherently wrong with those per se - albeit highly unimaginative ; but which of them I wonder are worthy of the description 'seasonally-inspired' ......
Oct 6, 2016, 2:28 am
#1301
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,697
I note that BA didn't pre-plan this change of policy too well. This months Business Life magazine that I skimmed through at the weekend is advertising the comlimentary drinks on board. They could at least have added some ** and put something in the small print at the bottom of the page! BA have not handled this at all well.
You don't expect this week's Radio Times to give warnings or times of the programmes for transmission in January!
Oct 6, 2016, 2:33 am
#1302
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,140
I note that the particular cut & paste response received by T8191 talks of a 'seasonally-inspired M&S menu.....'
What is it about menus that encourages so many empty words ....?
The sample options I've seen listed so far include such exotic delights as bacon rolls, cheese sandwiches and beef sandwiches. Nothing inherently wrong with those per se - albeit highly unimaginative ; but which of them I wonder are worthy of the description 'seasonally-inspired' ......
What is it about menus that encourages so many empty words ....?
The sample options I've seen listed so far include such exotic delights as bacon rolls, cheese sandwiches and beef sandwiches. Nothing inherently wrong with those per se - albeit highly unimaginative ; but which of them I wonder are worthy of the description 'seasonally-inspired' ......
Edit .... * in the sandwich
Last edited by T8191; Oct 6, 2016 at 3:04 am
Oct 6, 2016, 2:36 am
#1303
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Programs: Tufty Club (Gold), BAGA Gymnastics level 4, 440yds swimming certificate
Posts: 2,533
'Seasonally inspired' will mean they will chuck on cans of Pimms in the summer and Christmas Cake in the Winter. For the rest of the year the carts will be maximised with Food which has the best combination of selling well and the best shelf life
Oct 6, 2016, 2:57 am
#1304
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: BAEC (although I might just cut up the card)
Posts: 338
I note that the particular cut & paste response received by T8191 talks of a 'seasonally-inspired M&S menu.....'
What is it about menus that encourages so many empty words ....?
The sample options I've seen listed so far include such exotic delights as bacon rolls, cheese sandwiches and beef sandwiches. Nothing inherently wrong with those per se - albeit highly unimaginative ; but which of them I wonder are worthy of the description 'seasonally-inspired' ......
What is it about menus that encourages so many empty words ....?
The sample options I've seen listed so far include such exotic delights as bacon rolls, cheese sandwiches and beef sandwiches. Nothing inherently wrong with those per se - albeit highly unimaginative ; but which of them I wonder are worthy of the description 'seasonally-inspired' ......
Oct 6, 2016, 3:06 am
#1305
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,226
Extended breakfast and afternoon tea are KEY meal times. After all, customers want meals appropriate to the time of day. Presumably there'll be an afternoon meal deal on a cup of tea and Percy pigs or for extended breakfast a cup of coffee, juice and a yoghurt.
Presumably sandwiches and salads won't be available between 09:30 and 12:00 and between 14:00 and 17:00.
Presumably sandwiches and salads won't be available between 09:30 and 12:00 and between 14:00 and 17:00.