Why would anyone keep flying BA ??? | Why?? | I will tell you why...
Feb 6, 2018, 7:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 15
Why would anyone keep flying BA ??? | Why?? | I will tell you why...
Today was a day I knew was happening but didn't expect it so soon.
I have a close friend who was terminally ill. I have known about this for some time but was not sure quite how long she had left
I was in Santiago with work and got the phone call that I was utterly dreading and as soon as I seen who was calling me (Another friend) I just knew.
I had expected this day and had said to myself that given I had known her since I was a very small person that I would basically throw no matter how much it cost to get home if the worse was to happen.
I was on a work trip in WT+ and was in SCL 3 days when I received the phone call. My first instinct was right get home now. I called the Gold Line after calling my Corporate TA Amex to see if there was anything they could do , Through in 2 minutes, Explained the situation and said I didn't care how but I had to be back in the UK ASAP. Girl took a look at the options and said head to the airport.
On route to Airport the girl called back saying go to the check in desk as BA250 was leaving in 4 hours and I had a seat. She said quote my PNR and ask them to read the notes
Got to check in and the girl had changed my PNR which was T class and I had a seat. The charge ? Nothing absolutely zero, no change fees, ticket fees, nothing I was genuinely shocked.
After calling home to explain I was on way back, I got to the gate and sat down in my seat in WT+ The CSD came over and said come with me and she put me in J asked what my bag looked like and fetched it and put it above my seat.
All in all great flight from what I remember as it literally took off I had a drink or two then went to bed as I knew I had to be on the ball at home,
Landed in LHR and the flight was early got my bag thanked the crew and got up the ramp and there was a suited gent with my name on a piece of A4, He met the aircraft escorted me from the aircraft and took me straight to the gate via Border Control for the GLA flight from A Gates which was leaving in an hour.
End of this story is a happy and a sad one.
I made it to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow and had 2 hours with my closest childhood friend before she lost her battle with Cancer and I'll be honest there is nothing that will ever equal the pain I am currently feeling but at the same time, BA, Hats off you got me from Santiago to Glasgow without so much as a penny spent to me and I know a lot give them a hard time, perhaps desevered but right now, Hats off I cannot thank them enough for what they have done for me to get me those last precious hours that I never thought I would honestly get, Golden tickets will be submitted online but not sure if they mean anything these days, Anyway BA - WOW
Peace
I have a close friend who was terminally ill. I have known about this for some time but was not sure quite how long she had left
I was in Santiago with work and got the phone call that I was utterly dreading and as soon as I seen who was calling me (Another friend) I just knew.
I had expected this day and had said to myself that given I had known her since I was a very small person that I would basically throw no matter how much it cost to get home if the worse was to happen.
I was on a work trip in WT+ and was in SCL 3 days when I received the phone call. My first instinct was right get home now. I called the Gold Line after calling my Corporate TA Amex to see if there was anything they could do , Through in 2 minutes, Explained the situation and said I didn't care how but I had to be back in the UK ASAP. Girl took a look at the options and said head to the airport.
On route to Airport the girl called back saying go to the check in desk as BA250 was leaving in 4 hours and I had a seat. She said quote my PNR and ask them to read the notes
Got to check in and the girl had changed my PNR which was T class and I had a seat. The charge ? Nothing absolutely zero, no change fees, ticket fees, nothing I was genuinely shocked.
After calling home to explain I was on way back, I got to the gate and sat down in my seat in WT+ The CSD came over and said come with me and she put me in J asked what my bag looked like and fetched it and put it above my seat.
All in all great flight from what I remember as it literally took off I had a drink or two then went to bed as I knew I had to be on the ball at home,
Landed in LHR and the flight was early got my bag thanked the crew and got up the ramp and there was a suited gent with my name on a piece of A4, He met the aircraft escorted me from the aircraft and took me straight to the gate via Border Control for the GLA flight from A Gates which was leaving in an hour.
End of this story is a happy and a sad one.
I made it to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow and had 2 hours with my closest childhood friend before she lost her battle with Cancer and I'll be honest there is nothing that will ever equal the pain I am currently feeling but at the same time, BA, Hats off you got me from Santiago to Glasgow without so much as a penny spent to me and I know a lot give them a hard time, perhaps desevered but right now, Hats off I cannot thank them enough for what they have done for me to get me those last precious hours that I never thought I would honestly get, Golden tickets will be submitted online but not sure if they mean anything these days, Anyway BA - WOW
Peace
Feb 6, 2018, 7:38 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: Seigneur des Tarifs Utils First Class Mucci with Honours :) - BA GGL / CCR
Posts: 1,551
Sorry for your loss and I am glad that BA helped you make it in time. I have had my own experience of how good they can be;
Anyway
Take care
Anyway
Take care
Last edited by cgtechuk; Feb 7, 2018 at 3:39 am
Feb 6, 2018, 9:35 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA Plat, Starwood Gold, AX Plat, Hertz Gold, Avis Preferred, Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 1,381
Blessings and sympathy to you and the family. This post reminded me of a similar story posted here 9 years ago.
When the chips are down, BA can be brilliant.
This story made an impression on me and it has stuck with me for nearly a decade. Reputations and humans actions matter. Its reassuring to hear that the same feats may be accomplished today.
When the chips are down, BA can be brilliant.
This story made an impression on me and it has stuck with me for nearly a decade. Reputations and humans actions matter. Its reassuring to hear that the same feats may be accomplished today.
Feb 6, 2018, 9:58 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Francisco, CA & Bangkok (Home)/Lawrenceville & Switzerland (Boarding School)/Baltimore, MD (College)
Programs: DL DM, AL MVPG 75K, SQ Gold, BA Silver, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Plat, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 599
My condolences CRMSTER
Feb 7, 2018, 5:08 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: TLV/ATH/LON/EZE/NYC/UIP
Programs: BA*GGL, A3*G, AF*P, VS*S
Posts: 1,011
Condolences crmster.
It's definitely the case that when the proverbial hits the fan, we remember who helped and who didn't.
When my grandfather died, given the Jewish tradition of burial asap, I had to head from TLV-LHR within hours of hearing the news. BMI charged me the cheapest PE fare they had instead of the 3x higher walk-up rate, then upgraded it to J, and got me on a (fairly full) plane within 3h - I stayed loyal to BMI right until they were swallowed by BA, and still run into many ex-BMI crew who ran the TLV route (hi Yossi!). Meanwhile my parents were visiting my aunt and uncle in ZRH on cheap, non-flex tickets from London. Swiss insisted on charging them the full fare difference. They won't fly them again.
Recently I was boarding a long haul BA flight and got a disturbing phone call about a close friend at my destination city who was having suicidal thoughts, had locked himself in his flat, and was ignoring efforts to reach him. The stewardess could see I was extremely distressed and trying to make all sorts of calls to him, his family, the authorities etc, and she told me I could ignore the requests to switch off my phone right up until the "double ping" for the plane about to start the take-off roll. That extra 10 mins was enough time to get messages to my friend, identify his exact location and state of mind, and ensure he got the help he needed. Subsequently I pretty much collapsed into tears of relief, and the same stewardess came to find me with options of tea or scotch before doing anything else, and checked on me regularly throughout the flight, then came to get me on landing and ensure I was the first off the plane to get to him right away. I don't think 20 Golden Tickets come close to how grateful I was.
It's definitely the case that when the proverbial hits the fan, we remember who helped and who didn't.
When my grandfather died, given the Jewish tradition of burial asap, I had to head from TLV-LHR within hours of hearing the news. BMI charged me the cheapest PE fare they had instead of the 3x higher walk-up rate, then upgraded it to J, and got me on a (fairly full) plane within 3h - I stayed loyal to BMI right until they were swallowed by BA, and still run into many ex-BMI crew who ran the TLV route (hi Yossi!). Meanwhile my parents were visiting my aunt and uncle in ZRH on cheap, non-flex tickets from London. Swiss insisted on charging them the full fare difference. They won't fly them again.
Recently I was boarding a long haul BA flight and got a disturbing phone call about a close friend at my destination city who was having suicidal thoughts, had locked himself in his flat, and was ignoring efforts to reach him. The stewardess could see I was extremely distressed and trying to make all sorts of calls to him, his family, the authorities etc, and she told me I could ignore the requests to switch off my phone right up until the "double ping" for the plane about to start the take-off roll. That extra 10 mins was enough time to get messages to my friend, identify his exact location and state of mind, and ensure he got the help he needed. Subsequently I pretty much collapsed into tears of relief, and the same stewardess came to find me with options of tea or scotch before doing anything else, and checked on me regularly throughout the flight, then came to get me on landing and ensure I was the first off the plane to get to him right away. I don't think 20 Golden Tickets come close to how grateful I was.
Feb 7, 2018, 5:26 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 257
I had tears on reading about your friend. I am heartened that BA went above and beyond to make your journey as easy as possible and that you managed to get to the hospital in time. Condolences to you and all affected by her passing.
Feb 7, 2018, 5:26 am
#14
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,179
Crmstr - I am sorry to hear of your loss. I know that these are only words, but all of us who have suffered loss can undestand your pain. I am so so pleased that you were able to be with her until the end as your presence and your voice are the last things of these earth that she will have taken to heaven with her.
Indeed your post is salutary. We never forget who in childhood picked us up, dusted us down, tended to our wounds and. were genuinely kind at a time when we were vulnerable. We never forget the nurse as we come into A&E, the Doctor who makes the pain go away, the people who smooth paths when we need it most. BA got you home in time and didn't charge you a King's Ransom for doing so. When we are faced with life and death, Tier Points, bed seats, hard products and the like just matter so little it's the people behind them that matter.
Thank you for posting what is like a breath of fresh air and a reality check to us all. It just so easily could have been one of us lying on that bed. I know how I would have felt to see or feel you there at the moment when we are all alone, and BA made it happen. Do share that with Customer Relations if you ever have the time - cut and pasting your most moving post with the flight details will suffice I am sure. My last wish for you as you go forward is that you do not miss your friend too much. You were blessed indeed to have each other.
As you say - Peace
Indeed your post is salutary. We never forget who in childhood picked us up, dusted us down, tended to our wounds and. were genuinely kind at a time when we were vulnerable. We never forget the nurse as we come into A&E, the Doctor who makes the pain go away, the people who smooth paths when we need it most. BA got you home in time and didn't charge you a King's Ransom for doing so. When we are faced with life and death, Tier Points, bed seats, hard products and the like just matter so little it's the people behind them that matter.
Thank you for posting what is like a breath of fresh air and a reality check to us all. It just so easily could have been one of us lying on that bed. I know how I would have felt to see or feel you there at the moment when we are all alone, and BA made it happen. Do share that with Customer Relations if you ever have the time - cut and pasting your most moving post with the flight details will suffice I am sure. My last wish for you as you go forward is that you do not miss your friend too much. You were blessed indeed to have each other.
As you say - Peace
Feb 7, 2018, 6:01 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC, AA, Emirates, Hilton, Hyatt, Taj Hotels
Posts: 2,345
Similar sort of story happened to a friend of mine on a trip to India last month. A couple of days into the trip his father-in-law died and he wanted to get home to his family asap. He was travelling WTP and has no status. Although he (for which read the concierge at the Taj) had to wait an enormous amount of time to get through to BA - I believe it was a 2 hour mission - the initial quote of £2,000 to change his ticket became £0.00 once the full story was relayed. Also, a situation where there was initially no seat available, suddenly a seat was conjured up. Trying to do this on-line was a hopeless task and of course in the old days there might have been a town office where one could have had some face-to-face interaction. Like the OP this is a good news story albeit in this case there was no Gold line to assist, but they got there in the end.