Carpinem

First time poster- so apologize if this post is not in the correct place.

I've spent over a year saving points and planning a 2.5 week honeymoon with my fiance in Doha and the Maldives scheduled for this coming July (6 weeks away). While this isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things, we've been so excited and this is such a bummer for us.

I received a call last night from an asia miles representative (who I had a very difficult time understanding) who casually told me our flight from JFK to Doha was cancelled by BA and that there was no other award availability at this time. This was a business class flight that required us to pay in excess of 1100 dollars in fees for each ticket along with the required points. There was no mention that any fees were ever paid, and I found the entire customer service experience to be infuriating as the rep was not conversational in English.

I am lost and do not know where to go from here. I've been told they "will keep checking" and "will let me know". I have no idea what the foregoing means, and the clock is meanwhile ticking on replacement flights. We have booked non-refundable hotels in both Doha and the Maldives, which I just locked in for cheaper rates few days ago since everything was in place.

I'm looking for any recommendations or advice on where to go from here. Thank you in advance.

work2fly

At a minimum, I would expect CX to open space for you on their own flights. Longer way to go but a nice savings vs. BA's 'award tax'.

Carpinem

Thanks for the response, and it's at least comforting to know that there is a possible solution.

The only issue with your above suggestion is that flying through Hong Kong would add an additional 24 hours of total travel time and basically double the length of time it would take to get to Doha. I work crazy hours as a lawyer and can't spend an additional day flying.

I tried contacting BA directly but that was a worthless endeavor. I've called Asia Miles repeatedly hoping to get someone who I can communicate more easily with and was told a manager will call me with options. I'm surprised by how little information is available on this topic from a quick google search, as it's a pretty stressful situation with no clear procedure for solving.

Thanks again.

Prospero

Don't despair. BA has a re-protection agreement with QR. The standard customer guidelines which apply to the cancellation of BA122/123 include redemption fares, so it is worth calling Cathay to discuss your options one more time.

See:
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...kba?faqid=6425

kaka

AM has ticketed you and they have the responsibility to sort you out

ermen

presume was only BA LHR-DOH that was cancelled? and not JFK-LHR-DOH correct?
wonder if you could just insist to fly the JFK-LHR leg then sort out rebooking in LHR with BA staff ( who would have taken over the booking already?)

Cambo

Looks to me, the valid (!) reason for BA to cancel your ticket JFK-LHR was the non-payment of the BA (-excessive) fees.

So, your first action would be to find out whether the fees were indeed not payed and second who is responsible for the non-payment.

Based on your quote ".... no mention that any fees were ever paid ...." suggests, you yourself did never pay these.

Carpinem

I paid all of the fees. If there is a way to have a ticket issued without paying the fees, please share it with the group.

Carpinem

You are correct, and thanks. This isn't a bad idea. My fiance's reservation is under her own Asia Miles number (different from mine), and she has still yet to be contacted in any way (kind of crazy) and this could work for her.

Carpinem

This is the best advice so far. I called again and refused to hang up though the rep did her best (maybe 5-6 attempts) to get me to agree to wait for a call back. She finally gave in and put me in touch with the manager who apparently hadn't done much of anything to resolve this issue. He is now going to look into a replacement flight and has promised to provide an update to me before he leaves for the day.

My mind is somewhat blown that I needed to do this to get anywhere.

percysmith

percysmith

Cambo

Then go to the next one in line, AM, which you already seem to have done. Did it work out for you ?

dodgeflyer

Perhaps if you give dates there may be the chance of people being able to find alternative routes.

Carpinem

Thank you! This was very helpful and seemed to ring a bell with the Manager. I am told I will receive a call tomorrow morning (let's see if they actually call).

Still in process - I am working with a new manager, as the manager I was working with never provided an update like he repeatedly promised to do. This new manager seems like she'll take the time to figure it out but will know more tomorrow.

I have non-refundable hotels - so would need to either extend trip (out of vacation days so not an option) or eat the cost on some of the hotel nights (really don't want to do this).