thundercat

Hi All,

Not sure where to post this but here goes:

I booked a First Class Avios Redemption (Avios 30000) on Cathay Pacific via British Airways using my BAEC account, but when I arrived at the gate I was downgraded to Business Class as the plane had been changed.

I was informed by the Cathay gate agent that along with the HKD400 "Goodwill Payment" they would return the difference in miles between a Business Class and First Class redemption. However, to date I have heard nothing and have no idea where to claim as the BA site does not have an option for getting Avios back from a Partner (that I can find).

Any ideas towards the correct place to claim back the Avios would be appreciated.

Many thanks

megaloman

Call BA Executive club, they'll sort it out.

lost_in_translation

Sounds like one for BAEC given it was booked with Avios. Did your booking change at all to reflect this? BA may ask for proof that you were downgraded if not.

On a separate note, is the amount you were given definitely HKD 400? If so, not entirely sure why CX bothered with that as that's frankly borderline insulting even as a gesture of goodwill if you've paid for a cash CX F ticket.

thundercat

[QUOTE=
On a separate note, is the amount you were given definitely HKD 400? If so, not entirely sure why CX bothered with that as that's frankly borderline insulting even as a gesture of goodwill if you've paid for a cash CX F ticket.[/QUOTE]

They have a separate part where they mention difference between fares if you paid for your ticket.

thundercat

Thanks, I'll physc myself up for that later

PETER01

Welcome back thundercat, good to see you here again and Gold now too! ^

I thought you and your buddy BotB had won the lottery and had been living in Vegas ever since

megaloman

In fact, I had a similar scenario - I've booked a First class redemption for HKG-SIN, then my flight got changed for three class A330, so I got downgraded. I've spotted this thanks to the myflightsapp. I called BA and an agent asked if I wanted to get the avios difference or change for another flight. I chose another flight on a same day.

If change of equipment happened way before the departure, BA EC should see it on the e-tix and will refund you the difference in avios.

Nuster

You should have received difference in fare, a 1 way space available upgrade and if into economy at least 1 if not 2 seats beside you blocked. Just my experience on a few occasions

KARFA

I have never heard of that before. That would be received from CX and applicable to CX flights? And it applies to reward flights booked via BAEC on CX? Is this for on the day downgrades or those done more that two weeks in advance?

Having been downgraded before by CX from F to J on a reward booking a few months before the flight CX never offered me anything and in fact BAEC could only rebook me on another CX flight in F if there was F reward space available.

HIDDY

Ditching the F cabin seems to happen quite often with CX regional flights so BAEC must be used to refunding the difference.

thundercat

Not from a lack of trying but just can't get those pesky winning numbers

Nuster

To answer your questions:
Yes
Yes
The former

Happened to me on maybe 5/6 occasions and far outweighed by the 75% upgrade ratio I run 😜

Often1

There are two entirely different concepts at work here. One is the requirement of a refund of the fare difference and the other is a discretionary customer service gesture for the inconvenience.

The refund comes from the marketing/ticketing carrier and is paid in the original form of payment. In this case avios. The customer service gesture is in CX's discretion and represents the HKD400 from the gate agent.

KARFA

Ah ok. Thanks for clarifying it’s only for on the day downgrades.

If it’s a reward booking what fare difference do CX give? [EDIT: reading the OP’s post again I guess difference in miles which CX offered but he hasn’t received yet]

ukgooner

Its well worth keeping an eye on any regional F bookings as they do this a lot, often well in advance. Each time I have spotted it and rebooked myself.

I honestly wouldn't recommend anyone books CX F regionally, is its not at all predictable how / when you actually get what you pay for, and then there is a right run around to get it sorted.