How to get in contact with BA holidays?!
Oct 22, 2021, 3:52 am
#62
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,197
I gave up on BA Holidays. Got so sick of their auto hang up that I ended up just calling the Silver line and got through on three occasions after waiting between 0:45 and 1:15.
Worst experience I've ever had calling an airline (and yes, I even include calling the likes of Ryanair in that). I really feel for anyone without any sort of status.
Worst experience I've ever had calling an airline (and yes, I even include calling the likes of Ryanair in that). I really feel for anyone without any sort of status.
Oct 22, 2021, 3:55 am
#63
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: 64,186
There seems to be 2 stages with FTVs - the initial creation is almost automatic after whatever trigger the flight cancellation or BAH cancellation. The second stage is ascribing value to that FTV. Sometimes that's a quick process and is either semi-automatic or can be handled by an agent anyway, other times it is complex and has to go either to the BA back office refunds team, or the equivalent in BAH. BAH have - from other posts - sent out emails saying "your FTV is now ready for xxx and just email us (etc) when you have a new booking deposit done online". Either way there's no need to chase an FTV so long as the original wheels are in motion - you just wait until you are ready to book again.
Oct 22, 2021, 5:52 am
#64
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,665
There seems to be 2 stages with FTVs - the initial creation is almost automatic after whatever trigger the flight cancellation or BAH cancellation. The second stage is ascribing value to that FTV. Sometimes that's a quick process and is either semi-automatic or can be handled by an agent anyway, other times it is complex and has to go either to the BA back office refunds team, or the equivalent in BAH. BAH have - from other posts - sent out emails saying "your FTV is now ready for xxx and just email us (etc) when you have a new booking deposit done online". Either way there's no need to chase an FTV so long as the original wheels are in motion - you just wait until you are ready to book again.
Once picked up by a person the flights and hotel are cancelled out and a note is added to confirm it is a voucher and the value of the voucher. This process was taking about 10 days from what ive heard.
Nov 3, 2021, 8:43 pm
#65
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 547
I was having issues getting a hold of BAH with the line just cutting off but managed to speak to someone after around 15 minutes calling 0344 493 0123.
The lady was very helpful but strictly speaking it's a sales number and they can only do certain things to a booking. I was able to change flights/airports after a cancellation but wouldn't have been able to change hotels or anything more complex like that.
I feel for the staff, they're overwhelmed and BA really need to look at this.
Bad PR from ex-F1 driver/current Sky F1 reporter Karun Chandhok yesterday who couldn't get a hold of anyone to change a booking involving car hire
The lady was very helpful but strictly speaking it's a sales number and they can only do certain things to a booking. I was able to change flights/airports after a cancellation but wouldn't have been able to change hotels or anything more complex like that.
I feel for the staff, they're overwhelmed and BA really need to look at this.
Bad PR from ex-F1 driver/current Sky F1 reporter Karun Chandhok yesterday who couldn't get a hold of anyone to change a booking involving car hire
Nov 4, 2021, 5:51 am
#68
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,197
Nov 4, 2021, 5:57 am
#69
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 556
In my experience they can do anything that doesn't require payment being taken. I've changed flights, added flights/removed flights from a booking (that hasn't had the balance paid so they can just make adjustments to what's due), changed hotels and this morning's chat was to upgrade a hotel room. You have to make sure you get through to someone at Holidays though, the non Holidays lot begrudge telling you the time of day let alone doing anything useful.
Nov 5, 2021, 2:53 am
#70
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Hants
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 218
Called 0344 493 0787 at 8am on the dot. Auto-disconnects after the recorded message. Tried the chat - 12th in queue took 25 minutes to get to an agent. Agent (as expected) couldn't help, but refused to put me through to a Holidays agent. I did manage to get him to put a note on the booking to say I had called to request a refund.
I've expressed my frustration on Twitter!
I'm going to send an email to the duty address and then just request a charge-back on my Amex next week if I haven't managed to get hold of someone.
Update - Emailed at 8.58. Received a reply at 8.59 to say it would be actioned immediately. 9.03 confirmation of refund received. In fairness that bit of the process was exceptional.
I've expressed my frustration on Twitter!
I'm going to send an email to the duty address and then just request a charge-back on my Amex next week if I haven't managed to get hold of someone.
Update - Emailed at 8.58. Received a reply at 8.59 to say it would be actioned immediately. 9.03 confirmation of refund received. In fairness that bit of the process was exceptional.
Last edited by HHarry; Nov 5, 2021 at 4:21 am Reason: Update
Jan 13, 2022, 3:27 am
#71
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 1
Been having the same issues, but after 4 days of trying i did the 7:58 dial up to the 0344 493 0787 and ticked on 8am and after 4/5 mins was in and talking to a really helpful lady. sorted my issues in 10 mins and done. I did ask her how many people were working and she said that they were all WFH and only about 50 people on the phones. so no wonder its a pain to get through.
8am is the best time to get through if you can.
8am is the best time to get through if you can.
Jan 13, 2022, 7:43 am
#73
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bucks UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 88
Had a quote a few months ago from one of the sales agents (for a different booking) , as a last resort I emailed her yesterday and asked if she could help me with a booking, as I needed to add one extra person to the booking.
5 minutes later she called me and all sorted.
exceptional service from this lady.
5 minutes later she called me and all sorted.
exceptional service from this lady.
Jan 13, 2022, 8:21 am
#74
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 556
Maybe pop a Well Done in for her - https://www.britishairways.com/welldone/
Jan 13, 2022, 8:33 am
#75
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Sussex
Programs: BA; IHG; LHW; Hilton
Posts: 812
Thread title
Can somebody, with the appropriate authority, amend the title of this thread? It pains me every time I read it. A simple: How to contact BA Holidays, is all we need.
All the superfluous prepositions caused me anxiety!
All the superfluous prepositions caused me anxiety!