How much is 'significant' according to IB
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Indeed. "Delay" is irrelevant. The proper term is "change" as used above.
EC 261/2004 would require rebooking departing no more than 2 hours earlier or arriving more than 4 hours later. I presume that this change satisfies both, but it certainly satisfies the first test.
EC 261/2004 would require rebooking departing no more than 2 hours earlier or arriving more than 4 hours later. I presume that this change satisfies both, but it certainly satisfies the first test.
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: PRG
Programs: BA GGL, FB Plat
Posts: 73
Thanks a lot posting IBERIA guidelines. Today I argued with reference to it and suddenly: your refund is accepted. Frankly I thought Expedia is somewhat better than the rest of online agents, but this was so disappointing experience, full of lies and communication fails, hours of international calls on hold, no replies to email. I have been using expedia sometimes, since it gave a bit of flexibility with 24 hours (96 in case of weekend) cancel policy (even easier than canceling with airlines directly as it is possible online). But this story ruined my impression. So thanks again!
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,029
Obviously if you are trying to book a mistake fare or something, then the fare will be gone within that 24-hour window.
But some of us use that trick over at Turkish when we need an e-ticket number to be able to check upgrade space, but would otherwise prefer to book direct.
#19
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
Glad it worked out as it should have. Sometimes it is all about being polite but forceful and armed with the correct knowledge.
On the Expedia front, be very careful of the book, cancel & rebook scheme when using OW or any carrier which uses AA anti-fraud software,
On the Expedia front, be very careful of the book, cancel & rebook scheme when using OW or any carrier which uses AA anti-fraud software,
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: PRG
Programs: BA GGL, FB Plat
Posts: 73
thanks - just out of curiosity: what is aa anti-fraud sw? Do they ´flag´ you in case of canceling in 24 hours window for more than lets say one / two times a year?
#21
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,016
Yes, 5 hours is clearly spelled out in Article 6.1, towards the end. BA's Conditions of Carriage used to have a "significant change" provision, allowing arguments to be made in specific cases for shorter periods, but this has now gone to 5 hours for them too. In this Iberia case you can pursue Iberia directly for the refund, or get your credit card company to recall the payment to Expedia, if they are willing to do so. But making Iberia bookings with Expedia is an act of madness even in normal circumstances.
1. When an operating air carrier reasonably expects a flight to be delayed beyond its scheduled time of departure:
passengers shall be offered by the operating air carrier:
(iii) when the delay is at least five hours, the assistance specified in Article 8(1)(a).
passengers shall be offered by the operating air carrier:
(iii) when the delay is at least five hours, the assistance specified in Article 8(1)(a).
What happens if you are rebooked to a flight which departs eight hours earlier than initially scheduled but you can't manage to reach the airport eight hours earlier? Will the airline have to rebook you if you show up shortly before the original departure time?