Feb 28, 2020, 9:30 am
Last edit by: LTN Phobia
WikiPost currently includes info on China inc Hong Kong, Singapore and Italy. As and when new/updated information becomes available, we would welcome your input in updating it.
Information resources (e.g. links of entry restrictions/quarantine requirements) are provided at the bottom of Wiki.
29 Feb 2020: List of routes with cancellations from 13 March to 28 March: PKX, PVG, HKG, SIN, LIN, ICN, VRN, BGY, BLQ, TRN, VCE.
(In the case of PKX and PVG there are no services, for the other locations it's up to 50% of services.)
BA Book with Confidence Policy
BA have instigated a policy of bookings made on or after 3 March 2020 with zero change fees. Initially this policy will expire end of 3116 March 2020. Details can be found in this thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ce-policy.html
Note.. despite the official start date of 3 March for this policy, at least one FT-er has advised that a booking on 2 March also attracted zero change fees.
BA has now expanded the book with confidence policy to expire 31 March 2020. Starting date of 3 March 2020 is unchanged. China inc HKG
BA have cancelled all flights to PKX (Beijing/Peking) and PVG (Shanghai Pu Dong) "until 19 April 2020".
BA frequency to HKG has been reduced with effect from 13 February 2020 - see below for further details. From HKG, Cathay is running a heavily reduced schedule to mainland destinations until the end of March.
If you are due to fly to PKX, PVG and your flight is cancelled then you have refund, re-route and rebook options. BA can rebook on to several other airlines.
If you are due to fly to Hong Kong until 1st April you have refund and rebook options.
If you are transiting into mainland China you are also covered as above.
If you are transiting internationally (e.g. LHR-HKG-SYD) you are not able to move your flights, unless they are cancelled anyway.
The latest ba.com update was on 21 February 2020 at 1510.
More information on the advice of Her Majesty's Government about travel and health is on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china
For the Special Administration Regions of Hong Kong and Macao:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hong-kong
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/macao
Summary from IATA of all travel restrictions due to Coronavirus as added to TIMATIC https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm
.
HKG frequency reductions (as of 1330 on 21 February 2020, all dates inclusive).
LHR-HKG
From Thu 13.02.2020 to Mon 01.06.2020: BA31 cancelled. BA27 operates (380).
Exceptions:-
HKG-LHR
From Fri 14.02.2020 to Tue 02.06.2020: BA32 cancelled. BA28 operates (380).
Exceptions:-
Note: Schedule changes take effect on Sun 29.03.2020 in both directions.
Italy
BA has issued a Customer Guideline Update 1 for travel to the north of Italy, defined as:
LIN/MXP – Milan
TRN – Turin
BLQ – Bologna
VCE – Venice
BGY – Bergamo
VRN - Verona
Tickets issued by 24 February can be changed. If they are dated for original travel on 25 February – 02 March 2020, they can now be moved to 25 February – 31 March 2020. Alternatively changed to ZRH or GVA (note some of these services will be running very full at this time of the year). Refunds not allowed, redemptions are in scope for change.
Update: Travelling 29 Feb to 15 March can now change date of travel and postpone to up to the 3 Apr or change airport to Geneva or Zurich. Rredemptions included but refunds still not included
Further details:
Singapore
BA11 has been cancelled on March 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25, and corresponding returns on BA12 (the next day) have been cancelled.
Information Resources
Travel restrictions by country
IATA's central list of restrictions relating to Covid-19 is here:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm
Australian government site for visit/transit restrictions for various countries after visiting certain countries (not just for Australians, as it lists countries visited/transited etc.). It includes information that is missing from IATA list too.
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
11 March 2020:
For people who are based in the US, the US CDC travel warning for Schengen zone has been updated to Level 3 "Avoid nonessential travel".
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices...navirus-europe
In addition, US Department of State have updated the global travel advisory to Level 3 "Reconsider Travel.
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...ory-issue.html
This may affect your travel insurance cover (or enable you to claim back the cost of cancellation).
Information resources (e.g. links of entry restrictions/quarantine requirements) are provided at the bottom of Wiki.
29 Feb 2020: List of routes with cancellations from 13 March to 28 March: PKX, PVG, HKG, SIN, LIN, ICN, VRN, BGY, BLQ, TRN, VCE.
(In the case of PKX and PVG there are no services, for the other locations it's up to 50% of services.)
BA Book with Confidence Policy
BA have instigated a policy of bookings made on or after 3 March 2020 with zero change fees. Initially this policy will expire end of 31
Note.. despite the official start date of 3 March for this policy, at least one FT-er has advised that a booking on 2 March also attracted zero change fees.
BA has now expanded the book with confidence policy to expire 31 March 2020. Starting date of 3 March 2020 is unchanged.
BA have cancelled all flights to PKX (Beijing/Peking) and PVG (Shanghai Pu Dong) "until 19 April 2020".
BA frequency to HKG has been reduced with effect from 13 February 2020 - see below for further details. From HKG, Cathay is running a heavily reduced schedule to mainland destinations until the end of March.
If you are due to fly to PKX, PVG and your flight is cancelled then you have refund, re-route and rebook options. BA can rebook on to several other airlines.
If you are due to fly to Hong Kong until 1st April you have refund and rebook options.
If you are transiting into mainland China you are also covered as above.
If you are transiting internationally (e.g. LHR-HKG-SYD) you are not able to move your flights, unless they are cancelled anyway.
The latest ba.com update was on 21 February 2020 at 1510.
More information on the advice of Her Majesty's Government about travel and health is on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china
For the Special Administration Regions of Hong Kong and Macao:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hong-kong
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/macao
Summary from IATA of all travel restrictions due to Coronavirus as added to TIMATIC https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm
.
HKG frequency reductions (as of 1330 on 21 February 2020, all dates inclusive).
LHR-HKG
From Thu 13.02.2020 to Mon 01.06.2020: BA31 cancelled. BA27 operates (380).
Exceptions:-
- Tue 18.02.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (777).
- Tue 10.03.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (777).
- Mon 27.04.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Tue 28.04.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Wed 29.04.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Thu 30.04.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Mon 11.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Tue 12.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Mon 18.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Tue 19.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Sun 24.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Mon 25.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Tue 26.05.2020: BA27 cancelled. BA31 operates (380).
- Mon 01.06.2020: BA31 cancelled. BA27 operates (777).
HKG-LHR
From Fri 14.02.2020 to Tue 02.06.2020: BA32 cancelled. BA28 operates (380).
Exceptions:-
- Wed 19.02.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (777).
- Wed 11.03.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (777).
- Sun 29.03.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 28.04.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Wed 29.04.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Thu 30.04.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Fri 01.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 12.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Wed 13.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 19.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Wed 20.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Mon 25.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 26.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Wed 27.05.2020: BA28 cancelled. BA32 operates (380).
- Tue 02.06.2020: BA32 cancelled. BA28 operates (777).
Note: Schedule changes take effect on Sun 29.03.2020 in both directions.
Italy
BA has issued a Customer Guideline Update 1 for travel to the north of Italy, defined as:
LIN/MXP – Milan
TRN – Turin
BLQ – Bologna
VCE – Venice
BGY – Bergamo
VRN - Verona
Tickets issued by 24 February can be changed. If they are dated for original travel on 25 February – 02 March 2020, they can now be moved to 25 February – 31 March 2020. Alternatively changed to ZRH or GVA (note some of these services will be running very full at this time of the year). Refunds not allowed, redemptions are in scope for change.
Update: Travelling 29 Feb to 15 March can now change date of travel and postpone to up to the 3 Apr or change airport to Geneva or Zurich. Rredemptions included but refunds still not included
Further details:
Key Message
The following guidelines have been published to assist any customer who may wish to change their travel date for Northern Italy.
Advice for British Airways-125 ticketed customers whose BA, IB, AY or AA flight is still OPERATING
Rebook onto: British Airways or AJB
Airports affected - To/From
LIN/MXP – Milan
TRN – Turin
BLQ – Bologna
VCE – Venice
BGY – Bergamo
VRN - Verona
Tickets issued by: 24 February 2020
Ticket travel dates: 25 February – 02 March 2020
New travel dates: 25 February – 31 March 2020
Rebooking Allowance: Rebook into the same class as the original flight or lowest available in the same cabin
Change of gateway: Rebook onto a British Airways operated service to/from ZRH (Zurich) or GVA (Geneva) and London (any airport) into the same class as the original flight or lowest available in the same cabin. Must advise the customer that any consequential cost to travel between the original and the new Swiss gateway, e.g. surface transport, hotels, etc. are at their expense. Add a remark into the booking stating that you have advised this. Visas may also need to be checked to travel into Switzerland.
Origin/Destination/Stopover changes: Yes – as above
Refunds Allowed: No
Redemptions included: Yes
Available for Trade: Yes
Important Information
One involuntary ticket change allowed from the above options
Includes any connecting BA/Joint Business services on the same ticket
For customers on cancelled flights, please follow the standard customer guidelines >
· Adherence to commercial policies/standard customer guidelines remains entirely the responsibility of the user. BA reserves the right to withdraw guidelines at any time
The following guidelines have been published to assist any customer who may wish to change their travel date for Northern Italy.
Advice for British Airways-125 ticketed customers whose BA, IB, AY or AA flight is still OPERATING
Rebook onto: British Airways or AJB
Airports affected - To/From
LIN/MXP – Milan
TRN – Turin
BLQ – Bologna
VCE – Venice
BGY – Bergamo
VRN - Verona
Tickets issued by: 24 February 2020
Ticket travel dates: 25 February – 02 March 2020
New travel dates: 25 February – 31 March 2020
Rebooking Allowance: Rebook into the same class as the original flight or lowest available in the same cabin
Change of gateway: Rebook onto a British Airways operated service to/from ZRH (Zurich) or GVA (Geneva) and London (any airport) into the same class as the original flight or lowest available in the same cabin. Must advise the customer that any consequential cost to travel between the original and the new Swiss gateway, e.g. surface transport, hotels, etc. are at their expense. Add a remark into the booking stating that you have advised this. Visas may also need to be checked to travel into Switzerland.
Origin/Destination/Stopover changes: Yes – as above
Refunds Allowed: No
Redemptions included: Yes
Available for Trade: Yes
Important Information
One involuntary ticket change allowed from the above options
Includes any connecting BA/Joint Business services on the same ticket
For customers on cancelled flights, please follow the standard customer guidelines >
· Adherence to commercial policies/standard customer guidelines remains entirely the responsibility of the user. BA reserves the right to withdraw guidelines at any time
BA11 has been cancelled on March 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25, and corresponding returns on BA12 (the next day) have been cancelled.
Information Resources
Travel restrictions by country
IATA's central list of restrictions relating to Covid-19 is here:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm
Australian government site for visit/transit restrictions for various countries after visiting certain countries (not just for Australians, as it lists countries visited/transited etc.). It includes information that is missing from IATA list too.
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
11 March 2020:
For people who are based in the US, the US CDC travel warning for Schengen zone has been updated to Level 3 "Avoid nonessential travel".
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices...navirus-europe
In addition, US Department of State have updated the global travel advisory to Level 3 "Reconsider Travel.
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...ory-issue.html
This may affect your travel insurance cover (or enable you to claim back the cost of cancellation).
Covid-19 and BA flight cancellations & rebooking: info & advice thread [*noise-free*]
Mar 14, 2020, 1:46 pm
#916
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,725
No, you can't cancel it now, you'll just have to wait a few weeks and then challenge the amount later. If you have already started the trip then there isn't necessarily a better option. If you have not started your itinerary, in the absence of a cancelled flight, you are best to go the eVoucher route. Longer version upthread, but if people are not sure, feel free to check in this thread before pressing any buttons.
Mar 14, 2020, 1:48 pm
#917
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,725
I have a friend who was scheduled to fly her return JFK-LHR on Wed and just called today to move the trip to tomorrow and was charged the change fee, told that the waiver was only for flights booked after March 3. This is not correct, right? She has already paid - is she due a refund and how would she go about getting it?
And timing wise, this also seems not to meet with Update 6, assuming this was the return leg.
Mar 14, 2020, 2:06 pm
#918
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle.
Posts: 1,445
In terms of the vouchers is it just original booking fee being credited to a voucher or will it also include any POUG taken and paid for (all cash bookings)......couldn't seem to see an answer....?
Mar 14, 2020, 2:09 pm
#919
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Please remember that this thread is strictly for seeking or providing assistance for cancelling or rebooking a specific flight, or to deal with a cancelled flight. It is NOT for asking a hypothetical question or to speculate.
If you have a hypothetical question, wish to speculate, or generally simply comment on something, please post on the following thread:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ants-more.html
Please keep this thread free of vague/hypothetical question, speculation or general discussion, because it is reserved specifically for people who need to change or cancel their booking, and those who had their flights cancelled and need to rebook, so that others who can help them can offer practical solutions and reliable information and assistance to them.
Please be considerate and refrain from making any post that is outside the scope of this thread.
Thank you for your cooperation.
LTN Phobia
Moderator: BA forum
If you have a hypothetical question, wish to speculate, or generally simply comment on something, please post on the following thread:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ants-more.html
Please keep this thread free of vague/hypothetical question, speculation or general discussion, because it is reserved specifically for people who need to change or cancel their booking, and those who had their flights cancelled and need to rebook, so that others who can help them can offer practical solutions and reliable information and assistance to them.
Please be considerate and refrain from making any post that is outside the scope of this thread.
Thank you for your cooperation.
LTN Phobia
Moderator: BA forum
Mar 14, 2020, 2:19 pm
#920
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 228
No, you can't cancel it now, you'll just have to wait a few weeks and then challenge the amount later. If you have already started the trip then there isn't necessarily a better option. If you have not started your itinerary, in the absence of a cancelled flight, you are best to go the eVoucher route. Longer version upthread, but if people are not sure, feel free to check in this thread before pressing any buttons.
Thanks. I think the trip isn't going to go ahead anyway, so the cancellation overall is fine. I just wanted to use the most cost-effective option. Bit late now for the eVoucher option I think
I should have read the thread, but already pressed the button!
Cheers
Stu
Mar 14, 2020, 2:25 pm
#921
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,725
Mar 14, 2020, 2:39 pm
#923
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 19
My girlfriend and her parents have 3 non-refundable tickets from Canada to UK (YYZ-LHR) direct on BA in late April. I've read the voucher / book with confidence page and it looks like they are eligible. However, she would prefer to wait till a full refund option is available as their schedule is fairly inflexible. Is the voucher their best option or should they wait it out?
Thank you
Thank you
Mar 14, 2020, 2:53 pm
#924
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,725
My girlfriend and her parents have 3 non-refundable tickets from Canada to UK (YYZ-LHR) direct on BA in late April. I've read the voucher / book with confidence page and it looks like they are eligible. However, she would prefer to wait till a full refund option is available as their schedule is fairly inflexible. Is the voucher their best option or should they wait it out?
Mar 14, 2020, 2:58 pm
#925
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 629
If anyone has flights booked to the 11 airports in the next 3 days where the us are allowing flights to personally I'd recommend the voucher option as unlikely at the moment certainly in the next few days flights will be cancelled.
Anyone with Avios bookings if you prefer the cash and avios rather than booking on hold only option is to.take the hit of the £35 per person cancellation fee. If you take this option you can't claim the fee back as you have chosen to cancel and not the hold booking/voucher but maybe better for some
Anyone with Avios bookings if you prefer the cash and avios rather than booking on hold only option is to.take the hit of the £35 per person cancellation fee. If you take this option you can't claim the fee back as you have chosen to cancel and not the hold booking/voucher but maybe better for some
Last edited by Hawk777; Mar 14, 2020 at 3:27 pm
Mar 14, 2020, 3:07 pm
#926
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,725
There is one question which would be really good to resolve, since it's very relevant to those who essentially only travel at Easter time or school holidays: is the eVoucher available to book after the eVoucher's 12 month limit? So if they get an eVoucher expiring 13 March 2021, can someone on 12 March book travel in April 2021? Or does travel need to be completed by 13 March 2021?
Mar 14, 2020, 3:10 pm
#927
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 629
Thank you Hawk777 for all your help in this forum in recent days, I am sure it will have reduced your colleagues' workload at least a bit.
There is one question which would be really good to resolve, since it's very relevant to those who essentially only travel at Easter time or school holidays: is the eVoucher available to book after the eVoucher's 12 month limit? So if they get an eVoucher expiring 13 March 2021, can someone on 12 March book travel in April 2021? Or does travel need to be completed by 13 March 2021?
There is one question which would be really good to resolve, since it's very relevant to those who essentially only travel at Easter time or school holidays: is the eVoucher available to book after the eVoucher's 12 month limit? So if they get an eVoucher expiring 13 March 2021, can someone on 12 March book travel in April 2021? Or does travel need to be completed by 13 March 2021?
Mar 14, 2020, 3:11 pm
#928
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 135
If anyone has flights booked to the 11 airports where the us are allowing flights to personally I'd recommend the voucher option as unlikely at the moment certainly in the next few days flights will be cancelled.
Anyone with Avios bookings if you prefer the cash and avios rather than booking on hold only option is to.take the hit of the £35 per person cancellation fee. If you take this option you can't claim the fee back as you have chosen to cancel and not the hold booking/voucher but maybe better for some
Anyone with Avios bookings if you prefer the cash and avios rather than booking on hold only option is to.take the hit of the £35 per person cancellation fee. If you take this option you can't claim the fee back as you have chosen to cancel and not the hold booking/voucher but maybe better for some
Mar 14, 2020, 3:13 pm
#929
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,880
I am mid way thought a trip. I should be returning from JFK on Tuesday evening. I am not planning to try and come back early and I expect there to be some flights from JFK on that date. If I were leaving later in the week, especially from one of the airports not listed for entry in to the US, then I would be trying to change it.
Mar 14, 2020, 3:14 pm
#930
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,725
it's something we have been trying to get a full answer on without much luck all day so out stance has been to inform customers what it's saying on the website that from my reading of it means travel and all flights have to be completed within 12months of current outbound date, but we are seeing clarification on this is to a lot of us and to customers impacted seems rather unfair
BTW: Have you any jobs going for FT mega-posters?
