BA and Greece
May 23, 2021, 10:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: BA, Avis, Amex
Posts: 414
BA and Greece
Hmm.... I have a nice deal via BA Hols for a week in Zakynthos , departing 20th June.
Problem is, I need to pay the balance by 30th May, and new green list won't be announced until early June.
If I were travelling on my own, orange status does not bother me, but travel with the Mrs.
The Telegraphs has reported a couple days ago that "Ministers have ordered a separate risk assessment of the Spanish and Greek islands which means they could be opened up before the mainland."
I am split between rebooking to another destination and holding my nerve (I assume I only lose the original £120 deposit if I cancel 24 hours before departure, and get voucher for the rest).
what should I do .....
Anyone in similar position?
Problem is, I need to pay the balance by 30th May, and new green list won't be announced until early June.
If I were travelling on my own, orange status does not bother me, but travel with the Mrs.
The Telegraphs has reported a couple days ago that "Ministers have ordered a separate risk assessment of the Spanish and Greek islands which means they could be opened up before the mainland."
I am split between rebooking to another destination and holding my nerve (I assume I only lose the original £120 deposit if I cancel 24 hours before departure, and get voucher for the rest).
what should I do .....
Anyone in similar position?
May 24, 2021, 12:14 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Surrey
Programs: BAEC - Gold
Posts: 885
I’m pretty sure if you cancel within the 3 weeks you don’t get anything back...
However, if the rules allowed travel to the island when you booked and they have since changed, you might be eligible for a refund.
However, if the rules allowed travel to the island when you booked and they have since changed, you might be eligible for a refund.
May 24, 2021, 12:35 am
#4
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: 63,809
The next formal review point of the country list is due by 7 June, but the data is being collected this week, so there may be more information towards the end of the week. There has been some analysis of current data in the UK Arrivals thread in the Coronavirus forum, see in particular 7949 and 7573. At the moment it doesn't look like Greece would make the cut, though perhaps individual islands may do so.
See the main Cancel / Rebook thread on the situation with BAH bookings, but in brief if Greece remains Amber at some point BAH will almost certainly offer a full refund by default.
See the main Cancel / Rebook thread on the situation with BAH bookings, but in brief if Greece remains Amber at some point BAH will almost certainly offer a full refund by default.
May 24, 2021, 1:59 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: BA, Avis, Amex
Posts: 414
Then when I go on line to see cancellation options for the booking, it asks to call that number.
May 24, 2021, 2:21 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: BA, Avis, Amex
Posts: 414
May 24, 2021, 2:21 am
#9
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: 63,809
In limited circumstances yes, connected with changing restrictions on travel. The core BWC offer relates to a 3 week cut-off, so typically the deposit, and assuming the hotel booking is flexible, which many are at the moment. More information in the main thread.
May 24, 2021, 2:24 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: BA, Avis, Amex
Posts: 414
In limited circumstances yes, connected with changing restrictions on travel. The core BWC offer relates to a 3 week cut-off, so typically the deposit, and assuming the hotel booking is flexible, which many are at the moment. More information in the main thread.
I will try to call them each day until the balance is due on the 30th. If unsuccessful to reach BA, I will ask AMEX for chargeback, this is as good a reason as it gets, being unable to speak to the service provider, cancel online, or do anything really. I thought BA Holidays were quite good, relatively speaking, compared to others.
May 24, 2021, 2:29 am
#11
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: 63,809
Thank you CWS.
I will try to call them each day until the balance is due on the 30th. If unsuccessful to reach BA, I will ask AMEX for chargeback, this is as good a reason as it gets, being unable to speak to the service provider, cancel online, or do anything really. I thought BA Holidays were quite good, relatively speaking, compared to others.
I will try to call them each day until the balance is due on the 30th. If unsuccessful to reach BA, I will ask AMEX for chargeback, this is as good a reason as it gets, being unable to speak to the service provider, cancel online, or do anything really. I thought BA Holidays were quite good, relatively speaking, compared to others.
May 24, 2021, 2:33 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: BA, Avis, Amex
Posts: 414
The logical thing to so is to leave it until you are nearer the 30th. If nothing else happens, as reported in the other thread, you would get in th next few days an automated text message giving you a refund option. I don't see the point in calling today or tomorrow.
I will do as you suggest.
May 24, 2021, 2:42 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,260
I called twice yesterday around 17.30 and again today 08.35 both times call answered by Manchester call centre ( / working from home agents!) - you should call early / late and perhaps try a different number.
May 24, 2021, 3:40 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cheshire
Programs: BA, Accor, Hilton, ITA
Posts: 376
Just to say with BAH, even though MMB tells you to call for both change/refund options, the T&Cs do say that for a date change, and goes on to say to cancel for a voucher follow the link and fill out the form for a FTV
” 1. To make a “date change only” to a British Airways Holidays booking please call our contact centre. To “cancel your booking and exchange for a voucher”, which enables the flexibility to change your whole booking (destination, dates etc), please complete the form here.”
FTV link
https://www.britishairways.com/trave...1&wfpId=covidn
Just to also add, even though it may take a few days to process this FTV, they do state they will honour the voucher from the date the form was submitted, so for your deposit which is secure until 30th, you need to make sure you submit the form by that date to get it wrapped up in a FTV, if you continue to have issues calling them it shouldn’t be an issue you’ll get the deposit back into the voucher.
” 1. To make a “date change only” to a British Airways Holidays booking please call our contact centre. To “cancel your booking and exchange for a voucher”, which enables the flexibility to change your whole booking (destination, dates etc), please complete the form here.”
FTV link
https://www.britishairways.com/trave...1&wfpId=covidn
Just to also add, even though it may take a few days to process this FTV, they do state they will honour the voucher from the date the form was submitted, so for your deposit which is secure until 30th, you need to make sure you submit the form by that date to get it wrapped up in a FTV, if you continue to have issues calling them it shouldn’t be an issue you’ll get the deposit back into the voucher.
Last edited by cheshirepete; May 24, 2021 at 3:45 am
May 24, 2021, 4:18 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: BA, Avis, Amex
Posts: 414
I didn't know about this link, thank you, added to my "Favorites". I will use it if I still can't speak to/hear from anyone by the 30th.
This booking already had £300 discount applied to it from another voucher (which was just an email with a booking reference rather than a "real" voucher" because it was generated in the very early days of Covid).
I am assuming the new voucher will include the value of that voucher + deposit, although perhaps I should not count on it..
This booking already had £300 discount applied to it from another voucher (which was just an email with a booking reference rather than a "real" voucher" because it was generated in the very early days of Covid).
I am assuming the new voucher will include the value of that voucher + deposit, although perhaps I should not count on it..
Just to say with BAH, even though MMB tells you to call for both change/refund options, the T&Cs do say that for a date change, and goes on to say to cancel for a voucher follow the link and fill out the form for a FTV
” 1. To make a “date change only” to a British Airways Holidays booking please call our contact centre. To “cancel your booking and exchange for a voucher”, which enables the flexibility to change your whole booking (destination, dates etc), please complete the form here.”
FTV link
https://www.britishairways.com/trave...1&wfpId=covidn
Just to also add, even though it may take a few days to process this FTV, they do state they will honour the voucher from the date the form was submitted, so for your deposit which is secure until 30th, you need to make sure you submit the form by that date to get it wrapped up in a FTV, if you continue to have issues calling them it shouldn’t be an issue you’ll get the deposit back into the voucher.
” 1. To make a “date change only” to a British Airways Holidays booking please call our contact centre. To “cancel your booking and exchange for a voucher”, which enables the flexibility to change your whole booking (destination, dates etc), please complete the form here.”
FTV link
https://www.britishairways.com/trave...1&wfpId=covidn
Just to also add, even though it may take a few days to process this FTV, they do state they will honour the voucher from the date the form was submitted, so for your deposit which is secure until 30th, you need to make sure you submit the form by that date to get it wrapped up in a FTV, if you continue to have issues calling them it shouldn’t be an issue you’ll get the deposit back into the voucher.