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Why not phone BA and ask them?
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Flyer70: thank you!
ExXB: I had found that regulation to. They had informed me of the downgrade 4 weeks before the flight which I think means I'm not entitled to the re-fund. Might be worth a little more research though. I found a good contact on the flyertalk forum, who has responded and resolved the issue to my satisfaction. The contact didn't seem to have much respect for the BA customer service department either!! |
Welcome aboard tmclr3. The suggestion by Airclues is spot on. My guesses as to why they won't allow it are:
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No doubt BA will try to get out of it by claiming it doesn't apply in your case or some other banal attempt. However there is no get-out-of-jail card for them in this case. The regulation states:
Article 10 Upgrading and downgrading 1. If an operating air carrier places a passenger in a class higher than that for which the ticket was purchased, it may not request any supplementary payment. 2. If an operating air carrier places a passenger in a class lower than that for which the ticket was purchased, it shall within seven days, by the means provided for in Article 7(3), reimburse (a) 30 % of the price of the ticket for all flights of 1500 kilometres or less, or (b) 50 % of the price of the ticket for all intra-Community flights of more than 1500 kilometres, except flights between the European territory of the Member States and the French overseas departments, and for all other flights between 1500 and 3500 kilometres, or (c) 75 % of the price of the ticket for all flights not falling under (a) or (b), including flights between the European territory of the Member States and the French overseas departments. In cases of flight cancellations (which isn't what is happening to you) there is an exception for flights cancelled two weeks in advance. |
Your travel agents commission could be reduced, that's why he's saying no.:(
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Originally Posted by tmclr3
(Post 6440876)
I am travelling on a full flexible Prem Economy fare, and want to change my return date. The problem is that the flight I want is pretty full, with availability only in Economy.
My travel agent tells me that BA won't allow a 'downgrade' of my Prem Economy flexible ticket to purchase an Economy seat on my flight of choice. Apparently my only choice is to seek a partial refund of my ticket (unlikely to get much back) and buy a single Economy at inflated cost because the flight is almost full. Paticularly galling since the reason I forked out for a flex fare was because I couldn't guarantee my date of return. Few scheduled flights are "full" more than a few days ahead, apart from maybe Christmas Eve etc. What you do find, however, is that Yield Management divide each cabin up into how many seats they will offer at each fare, and that the few (sometimes none) seats allotted to your particular type of fare have gone. Speaking directly to BA will show all the combnations you can do though. You may also find that your "travel agent" is only concerned to maximise their own income, a percentage of what you pay, and I have heard all sorts of cock-and-bull stories from them, including so-called "corporate" travel agencies (all in the past; never use agents now). This includes travellers being sent on all sorts of nonsense combinations so agents can qualify for some current special promotion. They are a business in terminal decline. If a travel agent suggests buying a "economy single at inflated cost" that is a real giveaway - such single journeys are generally cheaper if you buy a return, coming back some date far in the future (poke around for the cheapest combination) and don't use the return part. |
tmclr3
If the ticket is fully flexible can you not cancel the entire trip and then make a new booking (either in WT or with a different airline)? I'm sure that the travel agent will become more helpful if they see their commission disappearing. Dave |
Thanks for all the useful replies, and apols for the delay in responding.
I am travelling on business, so all the arrangements must be handled through the agent (a major travel company). Suits me generally, as I don't have time to be doing it myself. I was just intrigued to see if anyone else has had this experience. As it stands, the agent has sent my original full flex ticket for 'partial refund' and has paid for a one way economy ticket at close to half the cost of the original premium flex return fare. I am apparently now waitlisted for a prem economy seat, but by all accounts I will have to pay an upgrade fee against my new economy ticket to get this. That'll be an interesting discussion...... Thanks again. |
Fare rules may preclude what I'm about to say but the procedure to downgrade is:
Cancel and Make booking in new class. Calculate the new total fare for the whole journey. Compare the fare/total of the original ticket with the new fare/total and, assuming the new fare is lower, proceed as follows. Reissue the original ticket (which means using it to pay for the new ticket). If the new total is less than the previous you show the new fare and appropriate taxes in their correct boxes and NO ADC (No Additional Collection) in the total. Then you issue an MCO (Miscellaneous Charges Order) or these days an MPD (Multi Purpose Document) or even VMPD (Virtual MPD) in exchange for the original ticket (again) and show the refundable value there (in words) but, to confuse everyone, the total of that document also shows NO ADC. The you refund the MCO/MPD/VMPD. Job done! |
Originally Posted by Clarkson
“There is nothing quite as joyous as leaving the hustle and bustle of a superheated Third World hellhole and being greeted on the big BA jumbo by a homosexual with a cold flannel and refreshing glass of champagne. “Take that away from us and we may as well all be Belgian.” I'd rather fly Sabena! Or DAT ops....aaah. Alas I must admit that hotac happened not when i was left stranded en route in airport 2 of 4, although I suppose it was very nice of the BA woman to tell me "you're a big girl I'm sure you'll find somewhere to stay in the city". She wasn't service air, that I am certain of. |
Found some seats that MAY fit:
SunshineKids Radian car seat. weighs a mere 30lbs, but it folds to 7inches! Safety 1st onSide Air. And Britax Prince. Down side is I now discover that USA car seats are not usable in the UK...seatbelts in cars are different!? Looks like I'll have to travel out with 2. AmericanAirlines op allow infant seat and rear-facing seats so will bring that, which is also compatable with UK seatbelts for in-car use. return to usa with BA will require (for us) bristish version of above seats where possible, that we might use them in the future too. THANK you all for your assistance. I will keep on til I find the answer that works for our daughter...God, I'm so lucky to be able to write that!! |
Just want to know as I'm travelling to Rome Tomorrow from LHR on the early morning flight; What does BA's on-board breakfast currently consist of and what are peoples opinions of it? I will be travelling in Economy (Euro Traveller).
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Buy sandwiches from 'Pret' before you board!
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