so glad I opted to book our award flight next week from ATL-MLE using both AA and Qatar, rather then the BA option offered...
all qatar keeps doing is dropping cities out of the USA that fly to DOH...

It nonetheless pays to have a Plan B to return. Neither AA nor QR are EU carriers nor do your flights depart from the EU. Thus, no EC 261/2004 duty of care should you become stuck because rapidly changing circumstances force a cancellation or limit your ability to transit DOH.

Repatriation was a mess in the first go around because it was a massive task for which carriers were not prepared. But, they were also not in dire cash circumstances. Now, they are better prepared and I am fairly certain that both BA and QR have contingency plans for all routes. But, cash is at a premium and I would not expect to have bar bills picked up any longer.

That would be a fun thread to start, but what to call it? “What has BA given you that you didn’t pay for?” I might just do that.

Weird isn’t it? I called up and they rebooked me onto Qatar no problem and it was an Avios booking and I haven’t even left yet!

There may have been reward space available on QR

It is also possible that there is some flexibility available, but not everyone has got the memo.

Sorry to hear of this. It doesn’t sound like a very accommodating way to deal with any customer, yet alone a GGL member.
Hope you get it sorted.
Perhaps call back and try a different agent?

As an aside, I frequently hear of people on this forum saying that GGL (or even standard Gold) is an asset to have for when things go wrong. Is that lip service?

I have only ever faced one rebooking crisis during snow disruption and then the fact that we all had Gold status meant absolutely nothing.

Overall, sounds like a farce.

(Adapting 4 Yorkshireman sketch) - Edinburgh? You were lucky - I got stuck in Wakefield for 2 days during the snows of 2010. Hotel bar ran out of booze...

Normally we can only use QR to rebook when its on certain routes where BA have codeshare agreements.

However there are additional policies now due to corona virus (like the one KARFA posted) which gives extra flexibility compared to normal. However as noted looks like it doesnt cover Avios bookings

GGL service generally great and a lifesaver for disruptions. As you can see not all the agents are good however but if you call back you will get someone else who are going to be helpful.
when there was mass cancellations at Heathrow and the queue for ticketing were outside the building I still managed to call GGL and rebooked to a flight. So it does help.
It does sound like a farce I had issues like this when there was a strike and BA rebooked me onto Air France. I had to push it but they did at the end.
it is possible to get rebooked to almost any carrier even non one world one however agents tells you different stories time to time.
Good luck for the OP I’m sure BA will take them home either Qatar or Emirates. (Most likely Qatar)

I dont think this is down to the agent, if the policy says we cant use QR for redemptions they are simply following policy.

So they have moved me in to a different Qatar flight without further prompting which is good I suppose. However it’s now almost 2.5x the travel time and a downgraded class and now with a test/quarantine requirement.

obviously getting home is the priority for the airlines but I am curious what our rights are here?

trying to decide if we want to fight for an extra couple of weeks here to fly back as intended when they open up again or just get the first reasonable flight home?

Were you originally travelling in World Traveler Plus or First? Otherwise why should BA downgrade you during rebooking?
If your final destination is LHR and you are flying MLE-DOH-LHR, you would not need a COVID test but need to self-isolate upon arrival.

By the way, after arriving at DOH, visit the Flight Connections desks before security, the agents over there might do a goodwill gesture and might be able to rebook you on an earlier LHR flight if there is availability.

Also, if you are involuntarily downgraded, you are eligible for a downgrade compensation through EC261/2004. I know that delay/cancellation compensations are not given because of COVID but I am not 100% sure wheater overbooking and downgrade situations are still eligible for compensation.

KARFA Do you happen to have any rerouting guidance for VS? We are stuck in Barbados (could be worse I suppose?) but need to get back. BA full but VS selling seats even in J (which we originally booked). Agent in Indian call centre says no can do.

Thanks in advance!

BA will almost certainly not rebook voluntarily on VS but it does have a duty to get you home.