Aug 26, 2017, 6:14 am
Last edit by: NWIFlyer
Originally Posted by British Airways Flight News
Will I continue to be able to earn and redeem on Air Berlin following the announcement that Air Berlin is currently undertaking insolvency proceedings?
Answer Id 5965 | Updated 25/08/2017 03.10 PM (UK time)
Summary
We appreciate some of our Members may be aware of our fellow oneworld airline partner Air Berlin, whilst still operating is currently undertaking insolvency proceedings. You may further be aware that Air Berlin has notified its own frequent flyer program members that mileage accrual and redemption is unavailable at this time on both Air Berlin operated flights and that of Air Berlin's airline partners, which includes British Airways.
More information
British Airways would like to assure customers that we will honour all award miles for flights taken on Air Berlin flights up to and including November 15. We have been advised that the ability to make new redemption bookings on Air Berlin is not possible however, Air Berlin have assured us all existing redemption bookings for travel on Air Berlin up to and including 15 November will be honoured. We are awaiting further guidance as to what the arrangements may be for travel after this time and will advise our customers accordingly when this becomes clear. This does not affect any other oneworld tier benefits Members may be eligible for.
In the event any of the above changes, we will send out further information of course notify our customers at the very earliest opportunity.
https://ukprepin.custhelp.com/app/an...WmtUcmVPcm4%3D
Question
Following the announcement that Topbonus, the company operating Air Berlin’s frequent flyer programme, filed for insolvency on 25 August, British Airways has suspended their frequent flyer agreement with Air Berlin effective from 31 August.
Answer
Please note whilst it will not be possible to make new reward bookings on Air Berlin, we are advised by Air Berlin that any existing bookings will be honoured.
BA Executive Club Members will no longer be able to collect Avios or Tier Points on bookings made on Air Berlin for travel from 2 September, British Airways will ensure any miles earned through to this date are honoured.
Customers who book under a British Airways flight number on Air Berlin operated flights will remain unaffected and continue to earn Avios and Tier Points.
All other oneworld status benefits will continue to be offered by Air Berlin.
Following the announcement that Topbonus, the company operating Air Berlin’s frequent flyer programme, filed for insolvency on 25 August, British Airways has suspended their frequent flyer agreement with Air Berlin effective from 31 August.
Answer
Please note whilst it will not be possible to make new reward bookings on Air Berlin, we are advised by Air Berlin that any existing bookings will be honoured.
BA Executive Club Members will no longer be able to collect Avios or Tier Points on bookings made on Air Berlin for travel from 2 September, British Airways will ensure any miles earned through to this date are honoured.
Customers who book under a British Airways flight number on Air Berlin operated flights will remain unaffected and continue to earn Avios and Tier Points.
All other oneworld status benefits will continue to be offered by Air Berlin.
Avios bookings & BAEC earnings on Air Berlin [following AB's filing for insolvency]
Aug 16, 2017, 1:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: BG
Programs: BAEC Silver, TK Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 827
Avios bookings & BAEC earnings on Air Berlin [following AB's filing for insolvency]
If you have an avios booking, say from JFK-DUS booked with avios on Air Berlin (with the extremely low taxes), and if, as expected Air Berlin no longer exist next year what would happen with your booking?
I would expect BA to reroute you on JFK-LHR-DUS and would be unlikely to ask for the extra taxes.
Not a game I plan on doing, but as redemptions are still showing on Air Berlin, it might be an interesting gamble for someone.
I would expect BA to reroute you on JFK-LHR-DUS and would be unlikely to ask for the extra taxes.
Not a game I plan on doing, but as redemptions are still showing on Air Berlin, it might be an interesting gamble for someone.
Aug 16, 2017, 2:02 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA Lifetime Gold 1.8mm, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold et al
Posts: 4,350
I don't see that much risk if you use Avios and the flights are cancelled (for whatever reason). However, I would be much less confident about a cash booking.
Aug 16, 2017, 2:19 am
#3
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,888
If you have an avios booking, say from JFK-DUS booked with avios on Air Berlin (with the extremely low taxes), and if, as expected Air Berlin no longer exist next year what would happen with your booking?
I would expect BA to reroute you on JFK-LHR-DUS and would be unlikely to ask for the extra taxes.
Not a game I plan on doing, but as redemptions are still showing on Air Berlin, it might be an interesting gamble for someone.
I would expect BA to reroute you on JFK-LHR-DUS and would be unlikely to ask for the extra taxes.
Not a game I plan on doing, but as redemptions are still showing on Air Berlin, it might be an interesting gamble for someone.
It seems when Malev went bust BA did allow reroute on to BA flighgts or refund - see post 3. Whether that happens for AB I guess we don't know atm.
Aug 16, 2017, 3:14 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,327
See this thread What would happen to a reward booking on HG if AB went to the wall?
It seems when Malev went bust BA did allow reroute on to BA flighgts or refund - see post 3. Whether that happens for AB I guess we don't know atm.
It seems when Malev went bust BA did allow reroute on to BA flighgts or refund - see post 3. Whether that happens for AB I guess we don't know atm.
Aug 16, 2017, 3:17 am
#5
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,888
Aug 16, 2017, 3:18 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,327
Aug 16, 2017, 3:25 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, ZSL Silver
Posts: 2,551
Aug 16, 2017, 3:27 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,327
Reading those older threads it appears that they did offer reroutes when Malev went to the wall, BUT this is a very different BA today than they were back then.
Aug 16, 2017, 3:32 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, ZSL Silver
Posts: 2,551
BA would be within their rights to refund you the Avios and tax paid and that's that, provided it's not within 14 days of your flight.
Reading those older threads it appears that they did offer reroutes when Malev went to the wall, BUT this is a very different BA today than they were back then.
Reading those older threads it appears that they did offer reroutes when Malev went to the wall, BUT this is a very different BA today than they were back then.
Aug 16, 2017, 3:42 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,327
Aug 16, 2017, 3:57 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, ZSL Silver
Posts: 2,551
Aug 16, 2017, 4:05 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2003
Programs: BA, IHG, 5C
Posts: 4,413
BA would be within their rights to refund you the Avios and tax paid and that's that, provided it's not within 14 days of your flight.
Reading those older threads it appears that they did offer reroutes when Malev went to the wall, BUT this is a very different BA today than they were back then.
Reading those older threads it appears that they did offer reroutes when Malev went to the wall, BUT this is a very different BA today than they were back then.
Aug 16, 2017, 6:46 am
#13
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,683
As BA is not the operating carrier, I don't see how EU261 would apply to it? BA is acting merely as an agent when it sells tickets for flights on other airlines. In theory BA should follow AB's policies for any cancelations/schedule changes, but if AB no longer exists then BA can come up with its own policy for affected ticket holders.