Ash - Master Thread on actual rebooking/cancellation experiences
Apr 19, 2010 | 12:33 am
#1
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Volcanic Ash - actual experiences with reroutes, refunds etc
I booked several award ticket for family, where the return flight has been cancelled due to ash. If I cancel the booking, do I get half the miles and half the taxes and surcharges back?
And I assume it won't be a problem if I actually do the cancellation weeks in the future since you cannot get through to BAEC by telephone.
And I assume it won't be a problem if I actually do the cancellation weeks in the future since you cannot get through to BAEC by telephone.
Apr 19, 2010 | 1:45 am
#2
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Redemption tickets are very flexible in terms of cancelations and changes up until 24 hours before departure.
However, since your flights were cancelled by the airline I don't see a problem here, and I'm sure they will refund you at a later date, though why wait weeks for this?
You will of course get the appropriate taxes back (not “half”) and I doubt they will charge you any fees.
However, since your flights were cancelled by the airline I don't see a problem here, and I'm sure they will refund you at a later date, though why wait weeks for this?
You will of course get the appropriate taxes back (not “half”) and I doubt they will charge you any fees.
Apr 19, 2010 | 3:23 am
#3
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Apr 19, 2010 | 3:25 am
#4
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I am part way through a booking, so I can apparently refund the remaining flights (even though they are not yet cancelled). I think if the flight is not yet cancelled and the booking has not been commenced, then you will have to wait for the flight(s) to be cancelled.
Apr 19, 2010 | 3:50 am
#5
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Precisely my point. BA are offering a flight next Monday for a change fee of EGP500 (circa GBP60) - or one this coming Saturday for EGP5,031 (circa GBP600)!!! Obviously I have no guarantee that the flight will operate even then.
Once the flight is officially cancelled I can change for nothing! I'm not impressed that BA can't officially cancel a flight when there's currently only 31 hours until it is due to depart.
Once the flight is officially cancelled I can change for nothing! I'm not impressed that BA can't officially cancel a flight when there's currently only 31 hours until it is due to depart.
Apr 19, 2010 | 3:56 am
#6
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Had a domestic flight cancelled during the second day of the ash and it took 24 hours from the flight being cancelled until MMB recognised the cancellation and the appropriate options appeared. Saying that, MMB still wouldn't process the cancellation but I assumed that was because it was a Hotline booking.
Not sure if there has to be some human/manual intervention when a flight is cancelled prior to the MMB cancellation options appearing. Maybe one of my ground staff colleagues can answer this one...
Not sure if there has to be some human/manual intervention when a flight is cancelled prior to the MMB cancellation options appearing. Maybe one of my ground staff colleagues can answer this one...
Apr 19, 2010 | 4:30 am
#7
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Not that it's a contest, but my flight this evening from BOS-LHR is still not showing as cancelled with less than 12 hours to go! And of course once it becomes cancelled (presumably at 3pm BST) we will no doubt go to the back of the queue for rebooking. 
At the moment there is a single flight from each of IAD, JFK and BOS this evening that is showing as 'Awaiting update' rather than cancelled. I suppose there may be a BA plane at each of these stations, but the likelihood of the flights operating seems vanishingly small.
Of course, until I know about cancellation I cannot rebook nor talk to BA about hotel rooms, nor give my current hotel clarity on whether we'll be staying here for extra nights.
BC
At the moment there is a single flight from each of IAD, JFK and BOS this evening that is showing as 'Awaiting update' rather than cancelled. I suppose there may be a BA plane at each of these stations, but the likelihood of the flights operating seems vanishingly small.
Of course, until I know about cancellation I cannot rebook nor talk to BA about hotel rooms, nor give my current hotel clarity on whether we'll be staying here for extra nights.
BC
Apr 19, 2010 | 4:37 am
#8
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Here in New York, finally got the message that the return flight this evening is cancelled, told to go to MMB.
However when I get there and get the details of my flight up, the option "Change date/time of my flight" has an X against it and says "Not available". So how do I select the next available flight ? Am I looking in the wrong place ?
Many thanks for any replies.
However when I get there and get the details of my flight up, the option "Change date/time of my flight" has an X against it and says "Not available". So how do I select the next available flight ? Am I looking in the wrong place ?
Many thanks for any replies.
Not the normal button which had been greyed out as it was a cheap ticket. I only got the opportunity to do that once - and it did ask me "are you sure?" - and now it's fixed again. But as it's for tomorrow morning, I guess I'll have another opportunity
Apr 19, 2010 | 5:14 am
#9
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My award booking for yesterday was moved to Thursday without any problems at all.
Agent said his parents were on standby as on his staff travel and they were completely stuffed and no chance of flying.
Agent said his parents were on standby as on his staff travel and they were completely stuffed and no chance of flying.
Apr 19, 2010 | 5:17 am
#10
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It is likely that there will be 'buy off' opportunities, where BA will offer anyone on a cheap ticket a few hundred quid not to travel, and thus allow them to switch in someone on a fullly flex ticket.
They won't kick you off, though, you simply get the first opening. A friend of mine is in Vegas and was due back Saturday. He has been rebooked on the first available flight ... next Sunday.
They won't kick you off, though, you simply get the first opening. A friend of mine is in Vegas and was due back Saturday. He has been rebooked on the first available flight ... next Sunday.
Apr 19, 2010 | 10:07 am
#12
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Apr 19, 2010 | 10:11 am
#13
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I can't believe the appalling spelling on here.
Anyway, what was wrong with the existing thread?
I saw that report - group in China have been told their return tickets are no longer valid and they have to buy new one way flights. Must be more to it.
Anyway, what was wrong with the existing thread?
I saw that report - group in China have been told their return tickets are no longer valid and they have to buy new one way flights. Must be more to it.
Apr 19, 2010 | 10:16 am
#15
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