Stupidity regarding paying for an upgrade then not accepted.
Jun 6, 2018, 1:20 am
#1
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Stupidity regarding paying for an upgrade then not accepted.
I need help and BA in tthe UK is useless when I try calling them on Skype or my mobile.
My friend has a booking DXB-LHR-YYZ return in WT+. I paid for an upgrade to CW on the flights to YYZ and apparently the BA call center fellow said it went through - this was after Skype kept dropping off and I finally got through.
NOW there is a letter saying the card has expired and they want me to confirm card details. ...?? The card is good until 10/21 and I have been using it for about 2 weeks with no issues.
Skype gets cut off (I am calling from Qatar) and when I call the UK on my mobile BA does not answer and puts me on hold. Apparently the BA call center cannot call back.
HOW in the world can BA call me and get this payment situation sorted out? My friend flies on the 15th to LHR and then YYZ.
I hesitate to give my Qatar mobile number on a public forum and there is no way I can trust calling with Skype or my mobile to the UK center for BA any more.
Thanks for any help.
My friend has a booking DXB-LHR-YYZ return in WT+. I paid for an upgrade to CW on the flights to YYZ and apparently the BA call center fellow said it went through - this was after Skype kept dropping off and I finally got through.
NOW there is a letter saying the card has expired and they want me to confirm card details. ...?? The card is good until 10/21 and I have been using it for about 2 weeks with no issues.
Skype gets cut off (I am calling from Qatar) and when I call the UK on my mobile BA does not answer and puts me on hold. Apparently the BA call center cannot call back.
HOW in the world can BA call me and get this payment situation sorted out? My friend flies on the 15th to LHR and then YYZ.
I hesitate to give my Qatar mobile number on a public forum and there is no way I can trust calling with Skype or my mobile to the UK center for BA any more.
Thanks for any help.
Jun 6, 2018, 1:25 am
#2
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Is there a BA customer service number for some other country that you can call more easily? It probably would have shorter hours than the UK call center(s).
Jun 6, 2018, 1:32 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2014
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Try sending a direct message on twitter.
As for the card, as the payment was not processed within a set time frame the CVV number will have been erased and so the payment can not be processed, hence why they require your card details again.
As for the card, as the payment was not processed within a set time frame the CVV number will have been erased and so the payment can not be processed, hence why they require your card details again.
Jun 6, 2018, 1:33 am
#4
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I live in Qatar and the standard boilerplate answer (here and in the UK call centers) is that I have to call BA in the UK because call centers cannot call back.
Like I said, BA and whoever set this system up is quite ignorant of reality in ciommunicating through mobiles (BA puts me on hold or does not answer) and by Skype (which keeps dropping off).
Like I said, BA and whoever set this system up is quite ignorant of reality in ciommunicating through mobiles (BA puts me on hold or does not answer) and by Skype (which keeps dropping off).
Jun 6, 2018, 1:40 am
#5
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The basic problem is contacting BA reliably - which I cannot do. I don't use Twitter etc. Also due to "privacy issues" BA will not address this issue in the complaint/concerns emails I have sent. their re[ply also comes from an email "call center" that cannot call me back either.
I still need them to call me from the UK.
I still need them to call me from the UK.
Jun 6, 2018, 1:45 am
#6
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
It's really not good that this situation is caused by BA's failure to process the payment on time, and that they cannot/will not call you back, or indeed answer the phone. It's poor customer service and there are numerous accounts on here of similar things.
Bottom line is that if you want this to go through, you will have to find a way to contact them. Don't count on their calling you back - it's not likely to happen.
Bottom line is that if you want this to go through, you will have to find a way to contact them. Don't count on their calling you back - it's not likely to happen.
Jun 6, 2018, 1:45 am
#7
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Was the transaction in US or Canadian dollars? In which case it may not be quite as portrayed, depending on the timelines. If there was a gap over 6 days between submitting the credit card number and getting that message from BA then it's just a CCV data expiry issue. When you do get back to BA it will be a fairly short call so long as you have the information to hand. Alternatively do a DM via Twitter and someone will call you back within a few hours.
Jun 6, 2018, 2:45 am
#8
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BA do call back for payment details - I've had it a couple of times. Were you talking to the India call centre, which can perhaps be confused on these things 
?
I can see it being a bit of a challenge for their procedures to access the booking unless you have had yourself added as a nominee. My wife and I have same if it's a booking for one of us paid with the other's card. We then have to do booking security for whoever is flying before handing over the phone to whoever is paying. Can you set up a Skype 3-way call if needed?
I recall Japan being quite insistent at trying to get through for payment details:
My top tip is to call and be relaxed. Start with a simple statement that you've had a message asking to complete the payment, not a rant about how hard it all is.
?I can see it being a bit of a challenge for their procedures to access the booking unless you have had yourself added as a nominee. My wife and I have same if it's a booking for one of us paid with the other's card. We then have to do booking security for whoever is flying before handing over the phone to whoever is paying. Can you set up a Skype 3-way call if needed?
I recall Japan being quite insistent at trying to get through for payment details:
Originally Posted by https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...boutCountry=JP
Telephone: 03 3298 5238
Monday - Friday (except national holidays)
09:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00
Monday - Friday (except national holidays)
09:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00
Last edited by EsherFlyer; Jun 6, 2018 at 2:51 am
Jun 6, 2018, 3:02 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Don't forget, Skype officially is blocked in Qatar so I'm not surprised you have issues to contact BA. Most likely you are using some VPN solutions which is not good for real time media. I'm not sure why you can't use your mobile phone and why are you on hold and never connected. As others suggested you might able to call a different regional BA office. I'm not sure if there is any VOIP provider in Qatar where you can reduce you phone bill so unfortunately you might need to use a landline phone to have a stable connectivity. The length of the call should be short if just the CCV expired. I would not count on BA to call you, but keep trying the twitter channel.
Jun 6, 2018, 5:01 am
#10
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The booking was paid in AED and it seems upgrade is too.
When my friend called from Dubai on her mobile she was on hold for 10 minutes and then the conversation with BA was garbled so badly that she had to hang up. With a mobile...
When my friend called from Dubai on her mobile she was on hold for 10 minutes and then the conversation with BA was garbled so badly that she had to hang up. With a mobile...
Jun 6, 2018, 5:04 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Middle Earth, and often worse
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3 Gold
Posts: 2,217
BA do call back for payment details - I've had it a couple of times. Were you talking to the India call centre, which can perhaps be confused on these things ?
I can see it being a bit of a challenge for their procedures to access the booking unless you have had yourself added as a nominee. My wife and I have same if it's a booking for one of us paid with the other's card. We then have to do booking security for whoever is flying before handing over the phone to whoever is paying. Can you set up a Skype 3-way call if needed?
I recall Japan being quite insistent at trying to get through for payment details:
My top tip is to call and be relaxed. Start with a simple statement that you've had a message asking to complete the payment, not a rant about how hard it all is.
?I can see it being a bit of a challenge for their procedures to access the booking unless you have had yourself added as a nominee. My wife and I have same if it's a booking for one of us paid with the other's card. We then have to do booking security for whoever is flying before handing over the phone to whoever is paying. Can you set up a Skype 3-way call if needed?
I recall Japan being quite insistent at trying to get through for payment details:
My top tip is to call and be relaxed. Start with a simple statement that you've had a message asking to complete the payment, not a rant about how hard it all is.
They have NO IDEA what British telephone number is not actually switched to overseas...
Jun 6, 2018, 5:11 am
#12
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Don't forget, Skype officially is blocked in Qatar so I'm not surprised you have issues to contact BA. Most likely you are using some VPN solutions which is not good for real time media. I'm not sure why you can't use your mobile phone and why are you on hold and never connected. As others suggested you might able to call a different regional BA office. I'm not sure if there is any VOIP provider in Qatar where you can reduce you phone bill so unfortunately you might need to use a landline phone to have a stable connectivity. The length of the call should be short if just the CCV expired. I would not count on BA to call you, but keep trying the twitter channel.
As I said, I don't have twitter nor facebook.
Looks like BA will lose out on a bunch of money for an upgrade.
By the way, I'd like to express my concerns about the poor customer service and lies about payment going through when in actuality it does not. Willie Walsh has a postal address. Anyone know what it is? I will be polite, BUT will give details as I have my Skype log and the names of BA customer service personnel with dates of conversations....
Jun 6, 2018, 5:45 am
#14
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The Qatar numbers were tried. Just another "call center" with the boilerplate answer: You have to call BA in the UK to solve this issue... yadda. The lady also stated they cannot contact the UK for me and relay any numbers - security issues.
Willie walsh has to know about this kind of stupidity with BA "customer mis-service".
Willie walsh has to know about this kind of stupidity with BA "customer mis-service".