Will I lose access to the CCR?
Mar 18, 2019, 11:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 122
Will I lose access to the CCR?
We've just been told we have been downgraded from F to CW due to a change of plane (B787 to A350).
Is there any chance BA will allow us to keep the F ground experience despite now being in CW (i.e. First Wing check in and CCR and equivalent at the other end)?
I rang YouFirst earlier and they weren't sure of the answer so have gone away to think about it and email me when they have an answer.
We have the option to change flights to stay in F, but if we get the F ground experience and the new CW seat on the A350 it may be worth sticking to our current flight plan.
Thanks in advance.
P.s. I am not GGL so don't have access to CCR through status.
Is there any chance BA will allow us to keep the F ground experience despite now being in CW (i.e. First Wing check in and CCR and equivalent at the other end)?
I rang YouFirst earlier and they weren't sure of the answer so have gone away to think about it and email me when they have an answer.
We have the option to change flights to stay in F, but if we get the F ground experience and the new CW seat on the A350 it may be worth sticking to our current flight plan.
Thanks in advance.
P.s. I am not GGL so don't have access to CCR through status.
Mar 18, 2019, 11:34 am
#4
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,129
I'd stick with another rerouted F flight to ensure access.
I do see where your coming from but I would very much doubt somewhere in the future this would wash with lounge staff re CCR access on a J ticket and even more unlikely at an out station.
I do see where your coming from but I would very much doubt somewhere in the future this would wash with lounge staff re CCR access on a J ticket and even more unlikely at an out station.
Mar 18, 2019, 11:39 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 122
We're on a LHR - YYZ flight in early October.
On the new CW seat thread you will see that this is one of the three routes the A350 has been announced for.
Would be happy enough if we got the F ground product just at the LHR end...
On the new CW seat thread you will see that this is one of the three routes the A350 has been announced for.
Would be happy enough if we got the F ground product just at the LHR end...
Mar 18, 2019, 11:42 am
#6
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Presumably you'll get a refund (or the EC261 downgrade compensation), so that would argue against FC benefits, but it could be worth a try if your ticket shows as FC at the time you travel. If lounge staff are accustomed to granting FC lounge access when some other segment in the itinerary is in FC even before a flight with no FC cabin, they could do the same in OP's case.
However, if your ticket is reissued as business class in advance of travel, I don't think a lounge dragon would have any way of verifying that you once were booked in FC, although if the lounge is at an outstation, they might be familiar with the situation.
However, if your ticket is reissued as business class in advance of travel, I don't think a lounge dragon would have any way of verifying that you once were booked in FC, although if the lounge is at an outstation, they might be familiar with the situation.
Mar 18, 2019, 11:44 am
#7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
Are you getting anything beyond a refund of the cash/Avios for the downgrade? That might influence my decision.
I think getting the F ground experience and the new CW seat - all at the cost of a CW ticket - would be a highly desirable outcome for most people!
I think getting the F ground experience and the new CW seat - all at the cost of a CW ticket - would be a highly desirable outcome for most people!
Mar 18, 2019, 11:50 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 122
To be honest we mainly chose this route for the 787 F experience, but given the in-flight F on the later flights we have been offered (787 out/ 777 return) won't be much better than the new CW its a tough choice to swap. Also bearing in mind the later outbound 787 flight option will likely change aircraft due to the issues anyway, so could end up in an old 777 anyway, which is much less desirable.
Mar 18, 2019, 11:55 am
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
Just to be clear, EC 261/2004 provides for a refund of 75% of the base segment fare, not merely the difference in cost. Thus, OP will be travelling in CW for the price of 25% of an F ticket (albeit in avios). Having paid this out, it is highly unlikely that BA will extend any F benefits to what is a CW ticket.
If, however, OP is taking this trip for the F experience, BA may be willing to reroute via another NA gateway in F, connecting to AA for a shortish transborder hop. Give some consideration to BOS or ORD.
If, however, OP is taking this trip for the F experience, BA may be willing to reroute via another NA gateway in F, connecting to AA for a shortish transborder hop. Give some consideration to BOS or ORD.
Mar 18, 2019, 11:55 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,581
I'd go for the downgrade personally. The Toronto trip is a short flight and you don't get a lot of time for F experience anyway, and the new seats would be a lot more exciting to try and out (and by the look of things arguably better than the F seats for a shorter long haul flight). There is no F experience to speak of on the way back, it's a really short flight and a poor lounge.
Mar 18, 2019, 12:01 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: JAX
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I believe BA is still giving F ground benefits to those affected and downgraded by the current Air Belgium wetlease.
Mar 18, 2019, 12:26 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 279
This happened to me. We checked in at Club, mentioned the downgrade and the check-in assistant said to ask for entry at the Concorde Room. She then phoned the CCR while we were going through security and we were immediately let in through the hallowed direct door. Top service and I’m only Silver. 
Mar 18, 2019, 12:51 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 122
Just to be clear, EC 261/2004 provides for a refund of 75% of the base segment fare, not merely the difference in cost. Thus, OP will be travelling in CW for the price of 25% of an F ticket (albeit in avios). Having paid this out, it is highly unlikely that BA will extend any F benefits to what is a CW ticket.
If, however, OP is taking this trip for the F experience, BA may be willing to reroute via another NA gateway in F, connecting to AA for a shortish transborder hop. Give some consideration to BOS or ORD.
If, however, OP is taking this trip for the F experience, BA may be willing to reroute via another NA gateway in F, connecting to AA for a shortish transborder hop. Give some consideration to BOS or ORD.
YouFirst said I would be due 38,000 Avios for the downgrade, does that sound about right? They said that was the difference between F and CW on that route.
Mar 18, 2019, 12:55 pm
#14
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Yes, EC 261/2004 does apply. There is no time limit on downgrade refunds as there is for changes and cancellations.
The only way to answer your question as to amount if to ask how many avios were used in the first place. 38,000 avios would be the appropriate refind on a ticket "costing" approximately 50,000 avios. Simply take the avios for the segment and multiply by 0.75.
The only way to answer your question as to amount if to ask how many avios were used in the first place. 38,000 avios would be the appropriate refind on a ticket "costing" approximately 50,000 avios. Simply take the avios for the segment and multiply by 0.75.
Mar 18, 2019, 1:22 pm
#15
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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It is general practice - and it's frequently mentioned in Customer Guidelines - that if downgraded you get to keep CCR / First Wing access, and quite often the First baggage allowance, First TPs and First Avios too. That's what happened, on this route, for Air Belgium passengers. I have to say YYZ is certainly having quite some shuffling around at the moment, all things considered. But that said, the prospect of the new CW seats means that this outcome may work out quite well.