Travel Ban South Africa
Dec 15, 2021, 8:31 am
#31
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
The UK is removing the 11 southern Africa countries form their red list. Hopefully more countries will follow suit.
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/uk...from-red-list/
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/uk...from-red-list/
Dec 17, 2021, 4:30 am
#32
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 63
Hi All, would really appreciate thoughts/advice on the below. I currently have a return flight with QR from LHR to Cape Town, leaving Dec 28th and coming back on Jan 10th. Assuming that QR are still carrying PAX out of UK (despite the headlines) on the 28th *and* that their ban on anyone boarding their flights out of SA remains in place what's likely to happen to my ticket?
- Will QR let me fly out of the UK to CPT with them on Dec 28 while their return ban is still in place?
- Should their return ban stay unchanged by the time of my return flight to the UK, what are my rights? Will they rebook me onto another airline that take me back to LHR?
In case helpful, the flights are in business and I have BA Gold (although I don't think it matters here).
Many thanks!
- Will QR let me fly out of the UK to CPT with them on Dec 28 while their return ban is still in place?
- Should their return ban stay unchanged by the time of my return flight to the UK, what are my rights? Will they rebook me onto another airline that take me back to LHR?
In case helpful, the flights are in business and I have BA Gold (although I don't think it matters here).
Many thanks!
Dec 17, 2021, 6:28 am
#33
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: HKG, BHX, MAN
Programs: Qatar Gold (OWS), Asiana Diamond (*G)
Posts: 1,493
Hi All, would really appreciate thoughts/advice on the below. I currently have a return flight with QR from LHR to Cape Town, leaving Dec 28th and coming back on Jan 10th. Assuming that QR are still carrying PAX out of UK (despite the headlines) on the 28th *and* that their ban on anyone boarding their flights out of SA remains in place what's likely to happen to my ticket?
- Will QR let me fly out of the UK to CPT with them on Dec 28 while their return ban is still in place?
- Should their return ban stay unchanged by the time of my return flight to the UK, what are my rights? Will they rebook me onto another airline that take me back to LHR?
In case helpful, the flights are in business and I have BA Gold (although I don't think it matters here).
Many thanks!
- Will QR let me fly out of the UK to CPT with them on Dec 28 while their return ban is still in place?
- Should their return ban stay unchanged by the time of my return flight to the UK, what are my rights? Will they rebook me onto another airline that take me back to LHR?
In case helpful, the flights are in business and I have BA Gold (although I don't think it matters here).
Many thanks!
Dec 17, 2021, 9:40 am
#35
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: EK Gold, A3 *G, AB Gold, Jetblue Mosaic
Posts: 1,386
Hi All, would really appreciate thoughts/advice on the below. I currently have a return flight with QR from LHR to Cape Town, leaving Dec 28th and coming back on Jan 10th. Assuming that QR are still carrying PAX out of UK (despite the headlines) on the 28th *and* that their ban on anyone boarding their flights out of SA remains in place what's likely to happen to my ticket?
- Will QR let me fly out of the UK to CPT with them on Dec 28 while their return ban is still in place?
- Should their return ban stay unchanged by the time of my return flight to the UK, what are my rights? Will they rebook me onto another airline that take me back to LHR?
In case helpful, the flights are in business and I have BA Gold (although I don't think it matters here).
Many thanks!
- Will QR let me fly out of the UK to CPT with them on Dec 28 while their return ban is still in place?
- Should their return ban stay unchanged by the time of my return flight to the UK, what are my rights? Will they rebook me onto another airline that take me back to LHR?
In case helpful, the flights are in business and I have BA Gold (although I don't think it matters here).
Many thanks!
Dec 17, 2021, 7:08 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta but Washington DC will always be home.
Programs: Marriott LTP, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold, Hyatt Explorist,, Delta Plat,
Posts: 2,070
THat was my experience in late November. Flights from SA were all cancelled and we were only offered a refund for the unused portion of the ticket. Absolute refusal to rebook on any carrier.
I would call and ask if they will rebook you on another airline for the return; in the first days of the cancellations, people on twitter were saying that QR was not rebooking them and just offering refunds resulting in higher last minute fares to be booked by the passenger.
Dec 20, 2021, 5:33 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Shoreham By Sea
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,330
I had two tickets to JNB from AMS. I was caught in SA when my return was cancelled. I eventually managed to book on a service with BA to London for over twice what my return QR tickets cost.
Today, I've had 1300 Euro land back on my card after spending 3480 on 2 return tickets.
Is that seriously the end of any responsibility QR have to me? I know as not on a EU/UK airline or flying from the UK/EU then EU261 won't apply but I can't believe there is literally zero duty of care or an explanation as to how they worked out my refund.
FWIW I spent £6700 on 2 x J seats back to LHR on BA
Today, I've had 1300 Euro land back on my card after spending 3480 on 2 return tickets.
Is that seriously the end of any responsibility QR have to me? I know as not on a EU/UK airline or flying from the UK/EU then EU261 won't apply but I can't believe there is literally zero duty of care or an explanation as to how they worked out my refund.
FWIW I spent £6700 on 2 x J seats back to LHR on BA
Dec 21, 2021, 12:51 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,916
I had two tickets to JNB from AMS. I was caught in SA when my return was cancelled. I eventually managed to book on a service with BA to London for over twice what my return QR tickets cost.
Today, I've had 1300 Euro land back on my card after spending 3480 on 2 return tickets.
Is that seriously the end of any responsibility QR have to me? I know as not on a EU/UK airline or flying from the UK/EU then EU261 won't apply but I can't believe there is literally zero duty of care or an explanation as to how they worked out my refund.
FWIW I spent £6700 on 2 x J seats back to LHR on BA
Today, I've had 1300 Euro land back on my card after spending 3480 on 2 return tickets.
Is that seriously the end of any responsibility QR have to me? I know as not on a EU/UK airline or flying from the UK/EU then EU261 won't apply but I can't believe there is literally zero duty of care or an explanation as to how they worked out my refund.
FWIW I spent £6700 on 2 x J seats back to LHR on BA
I was fully refunded for the cost of the additional tickets by my travel insurance. Have you tried your insurer?
Airlines never cover consequential losses, that's why your travel insurance includes provision for travel failure and exceptions.
Dec 21, 2021, 1:50 am
#40
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Shoreham By Sea
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,330
I had a similar situation when I was in China at the of Jan in 2020. Not QR, but a Chinese airline return back home, being inflexible, refusing to rebook, general aviation chaos and uncertainty, so I booked a different flight to get home. So similar principles applied.
I was fully refunded for the cost of the additional tickets by my travel insurance. Have you tried your insurer?
Airlines never cover consequential losses, that's why your travel insurance includes provision for travel failure and exceptions.
I was fully refunded for the cost of the additional tickets by my travel insurance. Have you tried your insurer?
Airlines never cover consequential losses, that's why your travel insurance includes provision for travel failure and exceptions.
Trying to call them was futile and I asked a question on that Zendesk thing 2 weeks again which has not been answered.
They may have lovely Q suites and better food than the others, but QR need to realise customer service is part of the overall experience. It's about time Skytrack or whatever other body keeps awarding them medals started to realise this.
Dec 21, 2021, 9:48 pm
#42
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA Plat Pro
Posts: 105
Dec 21, 2021, 11:03 pm
#43
Join Date: May 2020
Location: DXB and JNB
Programs: EK Plat; QR Gold
Posts: 507
You guys are brave. QR banned flights from SA; then changed it to an outright ban; then announced reinstating of flights, and accepted bookings and money from customers; then cancelled the flights they’d reinstated hours earlier without actually telling anyone or explaining why; and maintain they will recommence flights on the entirely arbitrary date of 1 January, and you’re still booking?
I suppose in a couple of weeks we’ll have to read about your complaints with processing refunds, yeah?
I suppose in a couple of weeks we’ll have to read about your complaints with processing refunds, yeah?
Dec 22, 2021, 3:28 am
#44
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: BA Gold, Tesco, Nectar
Posts: 313
You guys are brave. QR banned flights from SA; then changed it to an outright ban; then announced reinstating of flights, and accepted bookings and money from customers; then cancelled the flights they’d reinstated hours earlier without actually telling anyone or explaining why; and maintain they will recommence flights on the entirely arbitrary date of 1 January, and you’re still booking?
I suppose in a couple of weeks we’ll have to read about your complaints with processing refunds, yeah?
I suppose in a couple of weeks we’ll have to read about your complaints with processing refunds, yeah?
Will definitely need a plan B or may just do a refund.
Dec 22, 2021, 4:56 am
#45
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 63
Where did you see the reference to Jan 1st restart? Thank you
I am keeping our flights for now and assuming we don't test positive we intend to go (return booked for Jan 10th). If we get there and the return is cancelled I have a Plan C which is 2x reward economy seats on BA out of CPT (not ideal, but if you need to get out comfort takes back seat). Otherwise I am seeing several European carriers (France, Germany and Switzerland and now Turkey all allow airside transit from SA to UK) selling one way business fares at £1,500 pp (which is similar to what QR would have to pay me back). None of this is ideal but this is one of the very few times a year when we can take a proper holiday and I am not willing to give up that easily! Good luck everyone
I am keeping our flights for now and assuming we don't test positive we intend to go (return booked for Jan 10th). If we get there and the return is cancelled I have a Plan C which is 2x reward economy seats on BA out of CPT (not ideal, but if you need to get out comfort takes back seat). Otherwise I am seeing several European carriers (France, Germany and Switzerland and now Turkey all allow airside transit from SA to UK) selling one way business fares at £1,500 pp (which is similar to what QR would have to pay me back). None of this is ideal but this is one of the very few times a year when we can take a proper holiday and I am not willing to give up that easily! Good luck everyone