Ethics and the $20 BA fare.
 

Everyone who tried to buy one of these $20 BA fares was aware that this was a mistake. Is it ethical to go after these types of obvious mistakes? Where do you draw the line?

Is paying $20 any less ethical than the airlines charging $10,000 to fly from London to most points in the US? I realise that's the going rate for First, but just what does it cost to deliver this service- maybe $1,500 tops? How about the $2,200 domestic US carriers extract for last-minute economy coast-to-coast?

We seem to go through this dilemma every time a deal like this comes up, and there is always a divide in people's views about the ethics of taking up such an offer.

The $25 Starwood Rate thread has plenty of examples: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/002866.html

So before this thread degenerates into page after page of "you're a thief" and "no, I'm not -- it's their fault for publishing the rate and relying on technology", try visiting the old thread.

I don't see anything ethically wrong with it, though I would strongly urge the participants to formulate at least one backup travel plan in the event BA has a different view (esp. if the pax is already in Europe)...

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Great Point MC

go read all the prior threads from airlines to hotel rooms

or

If you think it is unethical; then don't buy it; If you don't have a problem with it and can get in on it: go for it

Agree this has been hashed out many times and is probably not worth doing again. In the end it's a very personal decision and we all must decide for ourselves where we draw the line.

Tango, I presume you didn't get in on the deal? When people run into a deal like this ethics come second, travel comes first. BA screwed up, they were honest enough to honour most of the reservations so I guess nobody should feel too bad.