Transoceanic rule- and MRU
Aug 4, 2006 | 11:29 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YVR occasionally
Programs: OW Emerald (AA-EXP, BA-Gold)
Posts: 261
Transoceanic rule- and MRU
In setting up an intinerary ex-MRU, I have received the following message from the BA office there.
"AS PER FARE RULES THE SURFACE BETWEEN CMB AND NRT
IS NOT PERMITTED TAKING IN CONSIDERATION THE FACT THAT CMB
IS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN AND NRT IN PACIFIC OCEAN."
Question: I know of the trans-atlantic and trans-pacific rules but did not know of this constraint. Is this actually in violation of the rules? (Incidentally, I was planning to use some segments of another RTW between NRT and CMB).
Also for general planning information ex-MRU, note that the JNB-MRU does not yet seem bookable as per the message today:
"PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SECTOR JNB/MRU ON BA6399 IS NOT YET
PUBLISHED IN OUR SYSTEM"
"AS PER FARE RULES THE SURFACE BETWEEN CMB AND NRT
IS NOT PERMITTED TAKING IN CONSIDERATION THE FACT THAT CMB
IS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN AND NRT IN PACIFIC OCEAN."
Question: I know of the trans-atlantic and trans-pacific rules but did not know of this constraint. Is this actually in violation of the rules? (Incidentally, I was planning to use some segments of another RTW between NRT and CMB).
Also for general planning information ex-MRU, note that the JNB-MRU does not yet seem bookable as per the message today:
"PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SECTOR JNB/MRU ON BA6399 IS NOT YET
PUBLISHED IN OUR SYSTEM"
Aug 4, 2006 | 12:30 pm
#3
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,518
BA scrubbed the September launch of JNB-MRU and are now evidently planning on it to start in November/December.
The MRU message is one more reason to think one should just mentally increase the price of any BA-sold xONEx by USD125, have it issued with a dead-simple-no-brainer itinerary, then change it when one can deal with more experienced airline reps. Otherwise you're talking with people who have no experience with one of their airline's most complicated products making judgements based on their reading of the rules.
The MRU message is one more reason to think one should just mentally increase the price of any BA-sold xONEx by USD125, have it issued with a dead-simple-no-brainer itinerary, then change it when one can deal with more experienced airline reps. Otherwise you're talking with people who have no experience with one of their airline's most complicated products making judgements based on their reading of the rules.
Aug 4, 2006 | 1:53 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Even a simple itinerary may be a problem. I deliberately chose a departure date when it showed (and is still showing) two "A" seats available on MRU-LHR (using Expert Flyer) but two attempts to have BA-MRU book it have been fruitless-- although we are waitlisted. (Also ITA also shows two A seats as being bookable). If BA-MRU can't book them, who can?
Aug 4, 2006 | 2:50 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Europe
Programs: Various
Posts: 3,087
Originally Posted by ReelChief
Even a simple itinerary may be a problem. I deliberately chose a departure date when it showed (and is still showing) two "A" seats available on MRU-LHR (using Expert Flyer) but two attempts to have BA-MRU book it have been fruitless-- although we are waitlisted. (Also ITA also shows two A seats as being bookable). If BA-MRU can't book them, who can?
Aug 4, 2006 | 5:23 pm
#6
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,518
Originally Posted by ReelChief
Even a simple itinerary may be a problem. I deliberately chose a departure date when it showed (and is still showing) two "A" seats available on MRU-LHR (using Expert Flyer) but two attempts to have BA-MRU book it have been fruitless-- although we are waitlisted. (Also ITA also shows two A seats as being bookable). If BA-MRU can't book them, who can?
Aug 4, 2006 | 5:24 pm
#7
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I started the process some weeks ago by calling the BA North American desk and got the standard response (reported here on various occasions) "If we were to do it for you, even if you started in Mauritius, we would have to charge you the ex-North American fare". Not helpful.
Aug 4, 2006 | 8:46 pm
#8
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Originally Posted by ReelChief
Even a simple itinerary may be a problem. I deliberately chose a departure date when it showed (and is still showing) two "A" seats available on MRU-LHR (using Expert Flyer) but two attempts to have BA-MRU book it have been fruitless-- although we are waitlisted. (Also ITA also shows two A seats as being bookable). If BA-MRU can't book them, who can?
I have been advised that in quite a few cases, fare bucket availabity can vary depending opon the region it is beeing booked from. In most cases this is not an issue, but in my case above, and it seems, your's, it becomes a problem. FWIW, I believe ExpertFlyer shows availability from a North American "viewpoint".
Aug 4, 2006 | 10:20 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YVR occasionally
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Posts: 261
Re your comments Gardyloo and Serfty.
What really surprised me was that BA-MRU was not able to book even the first segment starting in MRU-- it can't get much more direct than that! And it would have been nice if there is no "A" inventory for the date I suggested (even though it is showing on Expert Flyer) if they had suggested some proximate alternatives. It may be that EF is not reliable as to available inventory- especially for "exotic" locations but in the past I have found it to be quite reliable.
What really surprised me was that BA-MRU was not able to book even the first segment starting in MRU-- it can't get much more direct than that! And it would have been nice if there is no "A" inventory for the date I suggested (even though it is showing on Expert Flyer) if they had suggested some proximate alternatives. It may be that EF is not reliable as to available inventory- especially for "exotic" locations but in the past I have found it to be quite reliable.
Aug 5, 2006 | 4:23 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Originally Posted by Gardyloo
BA scrubbed the September launch of JNB-MRU and are now evidently planning on it to start in November/December.
I had my hopes up because I just updated my OW timetable and it now shows the JNB-MRU flights in October.BTW: Anyone know if I can do an xONEWCx (Circle Indian Ocean) from MRU? The star file with prices I have doesn't list an MRU price - but it is old.
Alternatively could you PM me the BA contact in MRU so that I can enquire directly. TIA
edited to add:
I see that the earliest date for which KVS shows the JNB-MRU-JNB flights is 16 December.
Last edited by Cheetah_SA; Aug 5, 2006 at 7:06 am
Aug 5, 2006 | 9:08 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,641
Originally Posted by ReelChief
Re your comments Gardyloo and Serfty.
What really surprised me was that BA-MRU was not able to book even the first segment starting in MRU-- it can't get much more direct than that! And it would have been nice if there is no "A" inventory for the date I suggested (even though it is showing on Expert Flyer) if they had suggested some proximate alternatives. It may be that EF is not reliable as to available inventory- especially for "exotic" locations but in the past I have found it to be quite reliable.
What really surprised me was that BA-MRU was not able to book even the first segment starting in MRU-- it can't get much more direct than that! And it would have been nice if there is no "A" inventory for the date I suggested (even though it is showing on Expert Flyer) if they had suggested some proximate alternatives. It may be that EF is not reliable as to available inventory- especially for "exotic" locations but in the past I have found it to be quite reliable.
Aug 5, 2006 | 9:13 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,641
Originally Posted by Cheetah_SA
Damn! I was just planning a trip ex MRU and that news just sank it. I had my hopes up because I just updated my OW timetable and it now shows the JNB-MRU flights in October.
BTW: Anyone know if I can do an xONEWCx (Circle Indian Ocean) from MRU? The star file with prices I have doesn't list an MRU price - but it is old.
Alternatively could you PM me the BA contact in MRU so that I can enquire directly. TIA
edited to add:
I see that the earliest date for which KVS shows the JNB-MRU-JNB flights is 16 December.
I had my hopes up because I just updated my OW timetable and it now shows the JNB-MRU flights in October.BTW: Anyone know if I can do an xONEWCx (Circle Indian Ocean) from MRU? The star file with prices I have doesn't list an MRU price - but it is old.
Alternatively could you PM me the BA contact in MRU so that I can enquire directly. TIA
edited to add:
I see that the earliest date for which KVS shows the JNB-MRU-JNB flights is 16 December.
Is the matter of "ask us for help and we'll price your ticket ex-NA" dealt with by calling BA when the Canadian rtw desk is closed (but UK is open)?
Aug 5, 2006 | 12:38 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YVR occasionally
Programs: OW Emerald (AA-EXP, BA-Gold)
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The phone number for BA-Mauritius is 230-202-8000. In the dozen or so times I have called, except for one call it has been busy or they can't hear me. If you can't get through, PM me for an e-mail contact there. They have been very good about responding to e-mails promptly.
Aug 9, 2006 | 5:21 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Originally Posted by ReelChief
The phone number for BA-Mauritius is 230-202-8000. In the dozen or so times I have called, except for one call it has been busy or they can't hear me. If you can't get through, PM me for an e-mail contact there. They have been very good about responding to e-mails promptly.
It's not like it's somebody's personal mail adddress.)Trouble is now the mail keeps bouncing back. Same with HRE. Both generate error messages from Postmaster at ba.com. Phoned HRE and they said customers were also complaining about not receiving e-mail. Is something wrong with the whole mail system at BA?