BA Covid-19 news, views, speculations, general questions, rants & more
Mar 16, 2020, 5:17 am
#213
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,699
I think there is something of a temptation to think that BA has this vast numbers of staff, constantly checking this fast moving situation and sending careful emails, personally targeted, to each and every customer which nimbly addresses their concerns.
Over the in real world, BA are being as helpful as they can in terms of Massive Means. Honestly, imagine what this forum would be like if there were no eVouchers? We get enough worrying about flights way off in the distance, we also have people trying to get to a contact centre. If this eVoucher proposal doesn't work for you, fine. It may work for others.
Over the in real world, BA are being as helpful as they can in terms of Massive Means. Honestly, imagine what this forum would be like if there were no eVouchers? We get enough worrying about flights way off in the distance, we also have people trying to get to a contact centre. If this eVoucher proposal doesn't work for you, fine. It may work for others.
Mar 16, 2020, 5:18 am
#214
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,577
Received the same for an itinerary where the flight already had been cancelled and I had requested a refund already.
BA occasionally show incompetence during normal operation, I would not hold emails sent out during a crisis against them. Everyone is trying their best in a difficult environment, sometimes things go wrong.
BA occasionally show incompetence during normal operation, I would not hold emails sent out during a crisis against them. Everyone is trying their best in a difficult environment, sometimes things go wrong.
Mar 16, 2020, 5:20 am
#215
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,699
Indeed that was what wasn't clear to me. In this case I'd have another look at the situation at the beginning of April, the script may well write itself.
Mar 16, 2020, 5:22 am
#216
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,007
Mar 16, 2020, 5:30 am
#217
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Sussex by the Sea
Programs: BA Silver, for now at least...
Posts: 577
The cynic in me thinks BA ushing the vouchers is a pure cash flow preservation measure. However right now I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that they are just drowning in issues and will catch up eventually!
Mar 16, 2020, 5:31 am
#218
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: London
Programs: BA bronze, Hertz pres circle, Marriott Platinum, hilton diamond
Posts: 2,537
Just got this:
Still, its annoying me, I dont need a travel voucher, its an avios flight, just let me cancel the damn thing online!!
EDIT:
even stranger, when I log into my account I get this:
If you have just made or added a booking, this may take a few minutes to appear in your account.
Dear Customer,
We understand that you may have questions about your upcoming travel at the moment, and we wanted to reassure you that we’re working around the clock to help our customers get to where they need to be.
We’re working closely with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to continue flying, where travel restrictions allow and where it is safe to do so.
Your flight to Las Vegas on 02 April 2020 is currently due to depart as planned, however due to the fast changing situation, we wanted to let you know that if you’d like to change the date or destination of your trip - you can apply for a voucher online here. This can be redeemed against future travel, for flights taken within 12 months of your original date of departure.
If you are midway through your journey and wish to change your dates of travel, please go to Manage My Booking. If you’re away from home and wish to return imminently, one-way fares to many destinations are available directly on ba.com.
If you’ve booked through a travel agent, please contact them directly.
Before you fly, please continue to check Manage My Booking for the very latest status of your flight.
For the latest information on coronavirus, including answers to frequently asked questions, please go to www.ba.com/coronavirus.
Thank you for choosing to fly with us, we appreciate this is a stressful time for many of our customers and we’d like to thank you for your understanding during these unprecedented times.
British Airways
We understand that you may have questions about your upcoming travel at the moment, and we wanted to reassure you that we’re working around the clock to help our customers get to where they need to be.
We’re working closely with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to continue flying, where travel restrictions allow and where it is safe to do so.
Your flight to Las Vegas on 02 April 2020 is currently due to depart as planned, however due to the fast changing situation, we wanted to let you know that if you’d like to change the date or destination of your trip - you can apply for a voucher online here. This can be redeemed against future travel, for flights taken within 12 months of your original date of departure.
If you are midway through your journey and wish to change your dates of travel, please go to Manage My Booking. If you’re away from home and wish to return imminently, one-way fares to many destinations are available directly on ba.com.
If you’ve booked through a travel agent, please contact them directly.
Before you fly, please continue to check Manage My Booking for the very latest status of your flight.
For the latest information on coronavirus, including answers to frequently asked questions, please go to www.ba.com/coronavirus.
Thank you for choosing to fly with us, we appreciate this is a stressful time for many of our customers and we’d like to thank you for your understanding during these unprecedented times.
British Airways
EDIT:
even stranger, when I log into my account I get this:
We can't find any bookings for this account.
You can add a booking by entering your booking reference below.If you have just made or added a booking, this may take a few minutes to appear in your account.
Mar 16, 2020, 5:35 am
#219
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: London. Or a plane.
Programs: "Only" 50,000 TPs until BA GGLfL
Posts: 2,773
I got the same email about my flight to EZE in early April. That flight falls within the period in that Argentina's government has banned flights from the UK, but remains (as yet) uncanceled in BA's systems.
BA have seemingly adopted a policy of deliberately not cancelling flights even after their government approvals to fly on those dates have been withdrawn. This may well be to give BA a cashflow advantage by not having to refund money until near the day of departure, despite the knowledge that the flights are highly unlikely to go ahead as planned.
Nowhere in the email does it state or even suggest that if you chose the Voucher you would still get a refund should the originally booked flight be cancelled.
Leaving aside BA's cynicism in not cancelling flights when governments have already outlawed them; I find sending customers emails stating "your flight is currently scheduled to go ahead" in these circumstances reprehensible. It gives severely misleading information and false hope to customers at the height of wider uncertainty.
BA have seemingly adopted a policy of deliberately not cancelling flights even after their government approvals to fly on those dates have been withdrawn. This may well be to give BA a cashflow advantage by not having to refund money until near the day of departure, despite the knowledge that the flights are highly unlikely to go ahead as planned.
Nowhere in the email does it state or even suggest that if you chose the Voucher you would still get a refund should the originally booked flight be cancelled.
Leaving aside BA's cynicism in not cancelling flights when governments have already outlawed them; I find sending customers emails stating "your flight is currently scheduled to go ahead" in these circumstances reprehensible. It gives severely misleading information and false hope to customers at the height of wider uncertainty.
Mar 16, 2020, 5:35 am
#220
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 2,999
Has anyone seen anything specific, official, they can link to regarding transit and UK Passport Holders?
I've got so many good sources in SIN and UK, but no-one has a clue?
Edit - sorry, I thought I was in the SQ forum, so ignore. I won't delete in case someone has relevant info! Admin, feel free. One of those days/weeks/months.
I've got so many good sources in SIN and UK, but no-one has a clue?
Edit - sorry, I thought I was in the SQ forum, so ignore. I won't delete in case someone has relevant info! Admin, feel free. One of those days/weeks/months.
Mar 16, 2020, 5:35 am
#221
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA GGLfL, WoH Lifetime Globalist, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 711
I have a flight booked on Wednesday 18th March from LHR to WAW. As Poland has stopped all international air and train travel, this flight will obviously not be going ahead. BA are fully aware of this and are no longer selling any tickets for this flight. Despite this, BA have not yet officially cancelled the flight and have just sent out an email saying the following:
The section I have made bold is an outright lie by BA. They are clearly trying to manipulate customers into taking the voucher instead of getting a cash refund. Are things really that desperate for BA that they're going for a short term cash grab instead of providing fair customer service (telling the truth!)??
The section I have made bold is an outright lie by BA. They are clearly trying to manipulate customers into taking the voucher instead of getting a cash refund. Are things really that desperate for BA that they're going for a short term cash grab instead of providing fair customer service (telling the truth!)??
Doc Copper
Mar 16, 2020, 5:35 am
#222
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,699
Mar 16, 2020, 5:36 am
#223
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,699
Mar 16, 2020, 5:38 am
#224
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 113
I got the same email about my flight to EZE in early April. That flight falls within the period in that Argentina's government has banned flights from the UK, but remains (as yet) uncanceled in BA's systems.
BA have seemingly adopted a policy of deliberately not cancelling flights even after their government approvals to fly on those dates have been withdrawn. This may well be to give BA a cashflow advantage by not having to refund money until near the day of departure, despite the knowledge that the flights are highly unlikely to go ahead as planned.
Nowhere in the email does it state or even suggest that if you chose the Voucher you would still get a refund should the originally booked flight be cancelled.
Leaving aside BA's cynicism in not cancelling flights when governments have already outlawed them; I find sending customers emails stating "your flight is currently scheduled to go ahead" in these circumstances reprehensible. It gives severely misleading information and false hope to customers at the height of wider uncertainty.
BA have seemingly adopted a policy of deliberately not cancelling flights even after their government approvals to fly on those dates have been withdrawn. This may well be to give BA a cashflow advantage by not having to refund money until near the day of departure, despite the knowledge that the flights are highly unlikely to go ahead as planned.
Nowhere in the email does it state or even suggest that if you chose the Voucher you would still get a refund should the originally booked flight be cancelled.
Leaving aside BA's cynicism in not cancelling flights when governments have already outlawed them; I find sending customers emails stating "your flight is currently scheduled to go ahead" in these circumstances reprehensible. It gives severely misleading information and false hope to customers at the height of wider uncertainty.
Mar 16, 2020, 5:40 am
#225
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,699
Leaving aside BA's cynicism in not cancelling flights when governments have already outlawed them; I find sending customers emails stating "your flight is currently scheduled to go ahead" in these circumstances reprehensible. It gives severely misleading information and false hope to customers at the height of wider uncertainty.
