Oct 26, 2017, 11:18 am
Last edit by: Tobias-UK
The following geographic numbers are available to all:
0344 493 0747 for those calling from within the UK
+44 191 490 7901 for those calling from outside the UK
Calls to these numbers are included in all UK mobile and landline inclusive call allowances and are otherwise charged at standard call rates outside any inclusive allowance. Mobile roaming charges may apply if calling from outside the EU.
0344 493 0747 for those calling from within the UK
+44 191 490 7901 for those calling from outside the UK
Calls to these numbers are included in all UK mobile and landline inclusive call allowances and are otherwise charged at standard call rates outside any inclusive allowance. Mobile roaming charges may apply if calling from outside the EU.
Phoned BA, put on hold. HUGE phone bill.
Oct 26, 2017, 9:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 186
Phoned BA, put on hold. HUGE phone bill.
I am absolutely annoyed with BA. I called the BA Executive Club line several times over a weekend last month. Each time, I was left in the eternal loop from hell without being able to talk to anyone at all (I gave up).
My phone bill arrived today. I was charged nearly Ł60 for the calls. During that music loop, at no point was I made aware that they were charging a ridiculous amount of money for me waiting to be served (50p a minute).
I would rather have a ring tone at the end of the line without being charged than listen to a jingle and be charged more for it than a concert ticket.
Has this happened to anyone before?
My phone bill arrived today. I was charged nearly Ł60 for the calls. During that music loop, at no point was I made aware that they were charging a ridiculous amount of money for me waiting to be served (50p a minute).
I would rather have a ring tone at the end of the line without being charged than listen to a jingle and be charged more for it than a concert ticket.
Has this happened to anyone before?
Oct 26, 2017, 9:34 am
#4
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
Were you calling a UK number from the UK? I didn't think any of the exec numbers (or any BA contact numbers) were 50p per minute?
I think the UK exec numbers are 0844 for blue and 0800 for silver, gold, and GGL.
I think the UK exec numbers are 0844 for blue and 0800 for silver, gold, and GGL.
Oct 26, 2017, 9:39 am
#5
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,922
They don’t, but there are some greedy telephone services who charge huge markups on 08 numbers - the mobile phone companies are the worst culprits.
Oct 26, 2017, 9:40 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 186
The number I used is the one they provide on their website (which is a 0844 number).
Phone provider is usually good (i.e. these phone calls are the only phone calls they've charged me for this month). I have dialed 0844 numbers before but I guess I was never left in a loop like BA did!
Phone provider is usually good (i.e. these phone calls are the only phone calls they've charged me for this month). I have dialed 0844 numbers before but I guess I was never left in a loop like BA did!
Oct 26, 2017, 9:43 am
#7
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
I didn't know that. So for 0844 I understand the charge is 7p per minute according to BA, and the other 43p per minute presumably is the OP's phone company. I would be quite annoyed as well if my phone company was adding such a hefty charge.
Oct 26, 2017, 9:46 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,838
I seem to remember BA’s tardiness in migrating from 08 to 03 numbers like much of the service industry has been flagged on here a few times before?
Given BA’s current modus operandi, the phrase “what else would you expect from a dog but a bite” seems apt.
Given BA’s current modus operandi, the phrase “what else would you expect from a dog but a bite” seems apt.
Oct 26, 2017, 9:48 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
Sorry OP but I think a significant amount of this is down to you. I am not one to blame the poster but you should have checked the cost of the calls from your provider first.
I appreciate being on hold is not your problem/fault but would have thought if you experienced this on one call you would have considered the cost/length of the call for the subsequent ones.
Furthrrmore Ł60 at 50p a minute is 2 hours. Not great for 2 or 3 calls but when you start getting down to 4 or more calls in the billing period this isn’t that unusual if you have an issue to deal with as only 30 minutes a call. My last call to BA lasted over 20 minutes and there was minimal hold time.
I appreciate being on hold is not your problem/fault but would have thought if you experienced this on one call you would have considered the cost/length of the call for the subsequent ones.
Furthrrmore Ł60 at 50p a minute is 2 hours. Not great for 2 or 3 calls but when you start getting down to 4 or more calls in the billing period this isn’t that unusual if you have an issue to deal with as only 30 minutes a call. My last call to BA lasted over 20 minutes and there was minimal hold time.
Oct 26, 2017, 9:54 am
#13
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
or find a less greedy phone supplier perhaps, 43p per minute additional charge by them is shocking
But I understand the phone company keeps this 43p and it doesn't go to BA so what has it got to do with keeping fares low?
I hope the usual suspects here won't say 'but the business needs to charge to be profitable and keep fares low!'
Oct 26, 2017, 9:56 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 186
But madfish... this is the thing. Some service numbers don't actually immediately go into the loop of hell! There is often a time where you just hear the phone ringing and sometimes it's combined with a message that they are busy, would you like to try later. You don't actually get charged anything for the wait!
It is wholly BA's choice to actually make the call 'LIVE' from the get-go.
This was during the time of that first hurricane in Florida. We weren't there, but were going to travel around that time, so had to call when loads of people were probably calling, too.
It is wholly BA's choice to actually make the call 'LIVE' from the get-go.
This was during the time of that first hurricane in Florida. We weren't there, but were going to travel around that time, so had to call when loads of people were probably calling, too.