Getting home pronto
Jun 5, 2017, 12:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 451
Getting home pronto
A bit of a strange question, but i'm about to head of on a short business trip to the US (East coast).
My wife is due to give birth in late July, but say the baby was VERY early...could I expect any help from BA in getting home quickly? The sort of thing i'm thinking about is a change to another east coast airport / time change / etc....
Or would they just do it as a route change and charge me full whack?
Thanks,
A
My wife is due to give birth in late July, but say the baby was VERY early...could I expect any help from BA in getting home quickly? The sort of thing i'm thinking about is a change to another east coast airport / time change / etc....
Or would they just do it as a route change and charge me full whack?
Thanks,
A
Jun 5, 2017, 1:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,743
The route change isn't (I don't think) massively relevant - historical prices will apply and they are roughly the same to most East Coast cities.
The key question is whether there will be availability in the cheap fare buckets for the flight you need. You may have to dig around for that. Also not sure if AP restrictions will come into play here? Min stay restrictions definitely would if you wanted to return without staying Sat night.
In any event you'll still be liable for the change fee - do you know what this is for your ticket? I wouldn't expect BA to waive it in these circumstances.
[Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong on the above]
The key question is whether there will be availability in the cheap fare buckets for the flight you need. You may have to dig around for that. Also not sure if AP restrictions will come into play here? Min stay restrictions definitely would if you wanted to return without staying Sat night.
In any event you'll still be liable for the change fee - do you know what this is for your ticket? I wouldn't expect BA to waive it in these circumstances.
[Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong on the above]
Jun 5, 2017, 1:06 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 935
A bit of a strange question, but i'm about to head of on a short business trip to the US (East coast).
My wife is due to give birth in late July, but say the baby was VERY early...could I expect any help from BA in getting home quickly? The sort of thing i'm thinking about is a change to another east coast airport / time change / etc....
Or would they just do it as a route change and charge me full whack?
Thanks,
A
My wife is due to give birth in late July, but say the baby was VERY early...could I expect any help from BA in getting home quickly? The sort of thing i'm thinking about is a change to another east coast airport / time change / etc....
Or would they just do it as a route change and charge me full whack?
Thanks,
A
Jun 5, 2017, 1:08 pm
#4
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Isn't the question whether the OP has a refundable/changeable/flexible ticket or whether it's some "fly it as ticketed or lose all value" discount fare? OP needs to read the fare rules carefully.
Some FF programs offer elites guaranteed space on any flight they operate if a full fare is paid. Check whether BA does and also whether AA does for your level of oneworld elite.
Some FF programs offer elites guaranteed space on any flight they operate if a full fare is paid. Check whether BA does and also whether AA does for your level of oneworld elite.
Jun 5, 2017, 1:08 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
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Posts: 3,937
Agreed, I'm afraid I wouldn't, and I doubt BA, would consider this as a compassionate case to waver the change fee.
how many weeks will she be exactly?
how many weeks will she be exactly?
Jun 5, 2017, 1:11 pm
#6
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,229
There's often same / next day Avios availability back from most East coast airports (in economy at least) so monitor this and see trends, as you could just get yourself home for very little Avios & cash if BA can't help
Jun 5, 2017, 1:13 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 629
I am sure others have different experiences from my own but when I needed to get home a couple of years ago from the East Coast for a family emergency BA wanted full whack. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...s-reprice.html
I obviously had to fly straight back and had to stump up full price there and then over the phone.
Jun 5, 2017, 1:13 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Bronze
Posts: 523
Another option is just to look on Google Flights as and when you need it. Some carriers charge more than a return for a one-ways, while others are more reasonable.
e.g. if you wanted a flight tomorrow from NYC to LON, TAP will do it for Ł381, while United, Virgin, Delta want over Ł1k and BA want over Ł2k.
e.g. if you wanted a flight tomorrow from NYC to LON, TAP will do it for Ł381, while United, Virgin, Delta want over Ł1k and BA want over Ł2k.
Jun 5, 2017, 1:32 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
You would have to check with the insurance company, but my initially feeling is no, otherwise your premium would be pretty high if your wife was pregnant, obviously if the pregnancy had complications, that's a different story, but it is one of the reasons why I asked how many weeks she will be.
Jun 5, 2017, 1:34 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2006
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Bereavement yes, but in this circumstance maybe not so much. Best thing you could do would be to call and ask whether you are covered or not.
Jun 5, 2017, 1:38 pm
#12
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Pregnancy is a pre-existing condition but early delivery probably isn't unless it's a high risk pregnancy or pre-existing complication. OP should read the travel insurance policy carefully and probably get reliable advice if this matters.
Jun 5, 2017, 1:39 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 935
Often bereavement isn't covered if the person was terminally ill prior to the trip. No insurance policy that I have seen would cover for pregnancy.
Jun 5, 2017, 1:47 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2006
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Curtailment is the only clause where I can think that a claim could be submitted, but as you rightly say, a pregnancy could be classed as pre-existing. You probably couldn't even legislate for late onset complications like pre-eclampsia.
I think in this case OP should check the fare rules and if necessary, obtain a more flexible ticket
