Deterioration in service at BA-MRU?
Jun 3, 2007 | 8:21 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 61
Up until early April, e-mails had been answered promptly -- often within one business day. Since then I have found it very difficult to get any response at all. Despite four e-mails to them during late April and May requesting pricing of an AONE6 itinerary settled in late April, the last response received from them was April 27. I havent tried phoning yet.
Jun 3, 2007 | 11:09 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 16,680
I don't know the OW rules as well, but *A RTW tickets have SITI (Sold Inside Ticketed Inside) rules that require you to have the ticket issued and purchased there or they charge you the greater of the price there and where it is actually sold. Canada is an exception for some Canadian rule -- you could buy it there and have it start anywhere at the price of there. If that sticks for OW then you could get a Canadian travel agent to do it for you and get the MLE price (you still have to start from MLE).
Jun 4, 2007 | 12:59 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2003
Location: RDU
Programs: TSA/INS/FBI Platinum (stopped last 12 of 13 int'l returns - the computer broke once)
Posts: 2,653
Oh well...I was reading the OWE rules last night and didn't see that in there like the *A RTW fares have, but I was just hoping I missed it.
Jun 6, 2007 | 3:23 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 29
Someone mentioned here that BA in Mauritius was actually handled by a GSA, specifically IBL Travel. (I'd thought it was a BA-operated TravelShop until I read that.)
If IBL, it's probably just a personnel issue. A year ago I had some dealings with IBL (probably an office at arms-length from their BA GSA operation, if that's indeed true) and had an absolutely abyssmal time getting them to respond. I eventually got hooked up with that office's manager, who was as brilliant and helpful as his minions were dullards.
If that's the problem, the way to get around it is obviously to find that brilliant person. I can PM my contact to anyone who cares.
If IBL, it's probably just a personnel issue. A year ago I had some dealings with IBL (probably an office at arms-length from their BA GSA operation, if that's indeed true) and had an absolutely abyssmal time getting them to respond. I eventually got hooked up with that office's manager, who was as brilliant and helpful as his minions were dullards.
If that's the problem, the way to get around it is obviously to find that brilliant person. I can PM my contact to anyone who cares.
Jun 6, 2007 | 12:18 pm
#20
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,641
Rumor has it that MRU isn't worth the trouble except for A-class, but I haven't checked. There's that $300 fee, cases where they quoted incredibly high taxes, BA's fuel taxes in any case, availability issues, routing restrictions, and the time and cost of getting there and back. If you want, I'll PM you the contact, but I think there are better choices for D. Meanwhile, if you haven't already looked at the cost and schedule for getting there (and back, after your trip) I suggest you do that - I was all thrilled with the cheap A fare until I did that.
Jun 6, 2007 | 1:01 pm
#21
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,525
Rumor has it that MRU isn't worth the trouble except for A-class, but I haven't checked. There's that $300 fee, cases where they quoted incredibly high taxes, BA's fuel taxes in any case, availability issues, routing restrictions, and the time and cost of getting there and back. If you want, I'll PM you the contact, but I think there are better choices for D. Meanwhile, if you haven't already looked at the cost and schedule for getting there (and back, after your trip) I suggest you do that - I was all thrilled with the cheap A fare until I did that.
Jun 10, 2007 | 9:23 pm
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YVR occasionally
Programs: OW Emerald (AA-EXP, BA-Gold)
Posts: 261
In making these comparisons you need to remember that starting in MRU requires you to add Africa as a continent which you may not want to do given the dearth of flights there. So it may be more appropriate to compare a DONE3 ex-NRT with a DONE4 ex-MRU or a DONE4 ex-NRT with a DONE5 ex-MRU. When you do that, according to my figures, the NRT prices are less than $300 more than the ex-MRU prices- so with the MRU service charge the prices there are actually higher. Given the other hassles, it doesn't seem worth it for a DONE ticket.
Jun 13, 2007 | 11:26 pm
#23
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,525
I just got off the phone with BA MRU and as suspected, they have had big trouble with their email server. However, they accepted credit card info over the phone and are now updating the taxes and will issue the ticket when it's complete, hopefully later today. They were very friendly and restored my sense that the MRU staff is easy to work with.
When I said my name to the phone answerer, she immediately said, "Oh yes I'll put you through to (the supervisor) straight away." Like they knew who I was. Yikes.
When I said my name to the phone answerer, she immediately said, "Oh yes I'll put you through to (the supervisor) straight away." Like they knew who I was. Yikes.
Jun 15, 2007 | 5:49 am
#24
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Interesting point, Reel, -- one I hadn't considered. Of course now I'm sitting with the residue of my last AONE4 (essentially LAX-LHR-MRU) which I was going to use to get me there to buy the next one in August. Too, a comparably priced AONE3 ex NRT would save me nearly two days of flying. Yup, I'm going to have to figure this out. Thanks for the pointer.
Jul 9, 2007 | 8:27 am
#25
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: NYC/SYD
Programs: Virtuoso Travel Advisor. FSPP, Ritz STARS, Rosewood Elite, Belmond BelliniClub. SPG PRO
Posts: 2,445
Interesting point, Reel, -- one I hadn't considered. Of course now I'm sitting with the residue of my last AONE4 (essentially LAX-LHR-MRU) which I was going to use to get me there to buy the next one in August. Too, a comparably priced AONE3 ex NRT would save me nearly two days of flying. Yup, I'm going to have to figure this out. Thanks for the pointer.
A lot of issues with this and the time needed are making me think of DOH and NRT now.
Jul 9, 2007 | 12:18 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 16,680
Can you do a turn when arriving here in the 2 hours to get your ticket? And do I have to come earlier to purchase it or can I purchase with cc ahead and just come by pick it up and leave same day or two days later?
A lot of issues with this and the time needed are making me think of DOH and NRT now.
A lot of issues with this and the time needed are making me think of DOH and NRT now.
Turnaround:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=mauritius
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=mauritius
Purchase:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=mauritius
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=mauritius
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=mauritius
Jul 9, 2007 | 5:33 pm
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YVR occasionally
Programs: OW Emerald (AA-EXP, BA-Gold)
Posts: 261
I started a new DONE4 ex-NRT 2 weeks ago and it was very efficiently arranged with both the AA RTW desk and with the AA people in Tokyo. Because of the issues raised in my OP here, I began thinking about alternatives to starting a new AONEx when I return to MRU in October and the more I have thought about the implications of DOH instead, the better it seems.
Jul 13, 2007 | 3:42 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: DFW, NYC, SIN, KUL, CGK, LON
Programs: AA EXP, AA5MM
Posts: 452
Will BA MRU post tickets to you?
I am planning on starting an AONE5 ex-MRU in December. I would like to ticket the reservation now. Since travel is still ~6 months away, I would like BA in MRU to issue the ticket and fedex them to me now. Has anyone had any success in having MRU issue a ticket and send it to you? Or do they require you to collect it in MRU?
I've had a look on the various threads but have been unable to find the answer. Thank you in advance.
I've had a look on the various threads but have been unable to find the answer. Thank you in advance.
Jul 13, 2007 | 7:33 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,641
I am planning on starting an AONE5 ex-MRU in December. I would like to ticket the reservation now. Since travel is still ~6 months away, I would like BA in MRU to issue the ticket and fedex them to me now. Has anyone had any success in having MRU issue a ticket and send it to you? Or do they require you to collect it in MRU?
I've had a look on the various threads but have been unable to find the answer. Thank you in advance.
I've had a look on the various threads but have been unable to find the answer. Thank you in advance.
Jul 14, 2007 | 2:13 am
#30
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SJU
Posts: 1,542
I am planning on starting an AONE5 ex-MRU in December. I would like to ticket the reservation now. Since travel is still ~6 months away, I would like BA in MRU to issue the ticket and fedex them to me now. Has anyone had any success in having MRU issue a ticket and send it to you? Or do they require you to collect it in MRU?
I've had a look on the various threads but have been unable to find the answer. Thank you in advance.
I've had a look on the various threads but have been unable to find the answer. Thank you in advance.