BA - Should I complain?
Sims Fly Virtually
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Used to be 3rd Sand Dune from the Left - But now I'm somewhere else somewhere else.
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"non-changeable" ticket
Not always that easy to recognise - I have had an airline ask me for a "change fee" ($50 or so I think, transatlantic) and other times I have frequently changed my return date with no comment or charge.
Can't find an old ticket at the moment but the only obvious indorsements are usually "valid (carrier name) only".
Years since I was involved in the ticket booking business, and I'm bothered if I can remember the difference between Y/A, Y/C, etc, etc.
How is the average erk in the street suposed to know he has bought a non-changeable ticket? Perhaps he should have asked the travel agent? Wouldn't it be easier if the ticket was clearly endorsed?
Just a thought!
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Martin Baker - the only way to fly
Can't find an old ticket at the moment but the only obvious indorsements are usually "valid (carrier name) only".
Years since I was involved in the ticket booking business, and I'm bothered if I can remember the difference between Y/A, Y/C, etc, etc.
How is the average erk in the street suposed to know he has bought a non-changeable ticket? Perhaps he should have asked the travel agent? Wouldn't it be easier if the ticket was clearly endorsed?
Just a thought!
--------------------------------------------
Martin Baker - the only way to fly
Too mean to buy a long personal title
You should get told before you buy the ticket that it's not changeable, or not changeable except on payment of a fee, and/or that it's not refundable. I've often seen the notes in my bookings made by telesales staff confirming that they've read over the key conditions before purchase, and websites usually make you actively tick a box or similar to show you've read the conditions before you can buy the ticket.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: About 3000 below Midhurst SID I reckon
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In passenger carriage regulations, the ticket you buy is not even a guarantee of being on that flight you have booked. The airline only has to guarantee you get from A to B. It doesnt have to be on that date even, or direct. (although it doesnt do them favours in the consumers market) But could you imagine how many times theyd be sued if the aircraft was an hour late leaving, due to air traffic control or strikes, etc??? The lo-cost airlines would be history as ticket prices would cover the court costs!!!
Check your ticket. Did you book non-changeable, non-refundable, or fully FLEXIBLE??
To balance between being a good service provider and to protect their business, airlines operate a discretionary policy.
Unfortunately there has been an increasing number using air travel, and so an increasing number of passengers trying to fiddle the system and change their flights as they feel like it (because they met the hottest person lastnight in that club, got very drunk and thought it rude to kick them out this morning just to make their flight) so unfortuantely discretion and flexibility have been spoiled for those who make honest mistakes.
As an airline it is very difficult to balance between being supportive to one customer and bending the rules, then denying the guy behind him, causing uproar.
I have been lucky enough to negotiate so many times in other areas to win over a situation, (such as refunds on clothes, bad restaurant meals, etc ) so rarely when I dont get my own way, I am annoyed. Until someone points out the rules or terms of what I originally purchased. Its fair.
Some customer service policies in some companies are amazing , but the con people realise this, see it as a quick earner and bleed it dry, meaning these companies have to toughen up on rules.
BA? Aviation and holidays is all they do. If they lose money in one area, they dont have an internet cafe division, a car hire division or a foreign currency division, etc.. to fall back on to survive. Aviation has gotten tougher and so has the competition, they are all out there to survive, unfortunately forcing you to use another airline is not what they think is happening. After all, management may still beleive BAs reputation is still intact and that people wont fly with anyone else, and you'll pay the fare (...and I am price williams future wife!)
If you feel so strongly, by all means write in, point out just at how dissapointed things have changed. You never know if everyone did, the managers may have a rethink! (...and I'm going to be prime minister next year...!)
Check your ticket. Did you book non-changeable, non-refundable, or fully FLEXIBLE??
To balance between being a good service provider and to protect their business, airlines operate a discretionary policy.
Unfortunately there has been an increasing number using air travel, and so an increasing number of passengers trying to fiddle the system and change their flights as they feel like it (because they met the hottest person lastnight in that club, got very drunk and thought it rude to kick them out this morning just to make their flight) so unfortuantely discretion and flexibility have been spoiled for those who make honest mistakes.
As an airline it is very difficult to balance between being supportive to one customer and bending the rules, then denying the guy behind him, causing uproar.
I have been lucky enough to negotiate so many times in other areas to win over a situation, (such as refunds on clothes, bad restaurant meals, etc ) so rarely when I dont get my own way, I am annoyed. Until someone points out the rules or terms of what I originally purchased. Its fair.
Some customer service policies in some companies are amazing , but the con people realise this, see it as a quick earner and bleed it dry, meaning these companies have to toughen up on rules.
BA? Aviation and holidays is all they do. If they lose money in one area, they dont have an internet cafe division, a car hire division or a foreign currency division, etc.. to fall back on to survive. Aviation has gotten tougher and so has the competition, they are all out there to survive, unfortunately forcing you to use another airline is not what they think is happening. After all, management may still beleive BAs reputation is still intact and that people wont fly with anyone else, and you'll pay the fare (...and I am price williams future wife!)
If you feel so strongly, by all means write in, point out just at how dissapointed things have changed. You never know if everyone did, the managers may have a rethink! (...and I'm going to be prime minister next year...!)
