Access to T5 airside
Jul 18, 2018, 6:16 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
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We were discussing a scenario, where the majority opinion seems to be, that according to the T&C no refund is due, which btw seems imminently logical to me and I have not disputed. So we are discussing a double hypothetical scenario, along the lines of "if BA had other ticket rules and somebody were to abuse them".
But for the sake of bringing this line of discussion to a close: If BA felt that this hypothetical scenario constitutes a hypothetical gross misconduct and chooses to hypothetically terminate my membership I will - of course hypothetically - take my business elsewhere.
Now breath everyone. No offence was committed. No kittens were hurt. Not even virtually hypothetically.
But for the sake of bringing this line of discussion to a close: If BA felt that this hypothetical scenario constitutes a hypothetical gross misconduct and chooses to hypothetically terminate my membership I will - of course hypothetically - take my business elsewhere.
Now breath everyone. No offence was committed. No kittens were hurt. Not even virtually hypothetically.
Jul 18, 2018, 6:30 am
#17
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: LHR
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Has it ever been used? Certainly Lufthansa's version has where they penalised a member who entered the lounge every day, ate and drank, then moved his fully flexible ticket to the next day, time after time - so it is not without precedent, and indeed there are certain similarities with what you're doing in terms of accessing GF. LH, incidentally, won in court when the member challenged the decision.
The member even went to court for this! Wondering why she/he did it, not for the money evidently. Possibly for the Bohemain spirit that comes with this hustle?
Jul 18, 2018, 6:31 am
#18
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We were discussing a scenario, where the majority opinion seems to be, that according to the T&C no refund is due, which btw seems imminently logical to me and I have not disputed. So we are discussing a double hypothetical scenario, along the lines of "if BA had other ticket rules and somebody were to abuse them".
Jul 18, 2018, 6:56 am
#19
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Jul 18, 2018, 7:29 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2012
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Strictly speaking isn't the £17.50 RFS a fee charged by BA, and then BA pays any taxes and charges that may be due? So perhaps only those not eligible for RFS who have paid the full charges directly may qualify for refund.
While APD would not be due if not flying, I would say the Heathrow passenger charge should be due since you have passed through LHR security and made use of facilities (at the very least, the train or the escort back to arrivals!)
I don't know if BA would actually have to pay the PSC to Heathrow when one decides not to fly, but I believe the cheapest possible PSC is £19.xx, so BA would lose money although they get to keep the Avios.
While APD would not be due if not flying, I would say the Heathrow passenger charge should be due since you have passed through LHR security and made use of facilities (at the very least, the train or the escort back to arrivals!)
I don't know if BA would actually have to pay the PSC to Heathrow when one decides not to fly, but I believe the cheapest possible PSC is £19.xx, so BA would lose money although they get to keep the Avios.
Jul 18, 2018, 7:41 am
#21
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Jul 18, 2018, 7:58 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Posts: 3,578
I accept that T&Cs are not perfect - but they are very much preferable to everyone applying their own individual moral compass.
Jul 18, 2018, 8:46 am
#23
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
The problem with a moral compass is that it is highly subjective. Like when I missed my flight because I confused the date and BA made me buy a new ticket at full fare. Or the day I wanted to take a flight two hours earlier and BA wanted a £600 change fee. Or the time I was downgraded and given a “fare difference” of £24.
Now the last one is rather open to interpretation in terms of how they calculate the fare difference.
Jul 18, 2018, 10:50 am
#25
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I agree that it is subjective, but suggesting that BA should in either of the first two cases have had some moral obligation to allow you do to what you wanted to do seems to be pushing it.
Jul 18, 2018, 2:21 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
So I suppose both sides are gaming the system really.
Jul 18, 2018, 2:30 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2006
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So, if I am already airside at T5 and wish to pop out for say a smoke ( because of a delay etc), I can get the shuttle to C, stay on and then depart at the other end via departures?
Would my boarding pass work again on the way in?
Would my boarding pass work again on the way in?
Jul 18, 2018, 2:35 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Mucci de l'Arbitrage
Posts: 927
Nope you would have to offload yourself at customer services then pop out for a smoke and then pass through security again before the 35 min conformance cutoff.
Jul 18, 2018, 2:42 pm
#29
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if you need to go for a smoke you are supposed to use the escorted service out and not self land.
Jul 18, 2018, 2:46 pm
#30
Join Date: Jul 2014
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