The new HFP chat thread – Friday 7th August

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• Mark says:

  7 Aug7 August 18:20

  I appreciate this has been asked a million times but I can’t find the answer.

  I had a F redemption to Kuala Lumpur at Xmas and we’ve been downgraded to J, looks like due to an equipment swap. What are my options? I’ve looked online but all I can really find is when people
  Are downgraded at the airport.

  Thanks in advance

  • Rhys says:

    7 Aug7 August 18:34

    You’re entitled to a 75% refund. https://www.caa.co.uk/Passengers/Resolving-travel-problems/Delays-cancellations/Your-rights/Your-rights-when-you-are-downgraded/

    • Mark says:

      7 Aug7 August 18:38

      Thanks Rhys, even though it’s so far out?

      • Rhys says:

        7 Aug7 August 19:00

        Yes

        • Mark says:

          7 Aug7 August 20:01

          Have anything I can quote to argue with BA?

          Thanks in advance

• Nadeshka says:

  7 Aug7 August 18:26

  Another blow for our Japan trip – looks like BA have pulled Osaka entirely from their winter schedule. Our March flights have been cancelled as a result.
  I rang up to change to Tokyo but all their systems are down! In case anyone was going to try calling this evening…

• MarkH says:

  7 Aug7 August 19:24

  I had a KUL-LHR 2-4-1 booking in First on 23rd Dec and just got an email from BA saying the flight has been cancelled and they’ve put us on the next best available flight which is 5mins earlier but have kicked us into CW.

  The ‘new’ flight has the same flight number (BA34) and I think is still a 787 so should have First.

  Will speak to BA as soon as I can get through but any ideas in the meantime what they are playing at?

  • Andrew says:

    7 Aug7 August 19:41

    They may have swapped it to a 787-800 with no F? If so could they reroute you in F via Singapore (likely Business SIN-KUL).

    • MarkH says:

      7 Aug7 August 19:54

      Just read the earlier comments today with a similar issue to KL as well so might well have changed the plane serving this route.

      Will try to get my 75% refund of avios – wish me luck…

    • MarkH says:

      7 Aug7 August 19:58

      I had actually thought about coming back via SIN but I think the benefit of dealing with only one country’s covid rules is greater than being in F over J.

      Might have a look nearer the time and switch if it seems viable

  • GeoffT says:

    7 Aug7 August 19:48

    No answer for your question but as a regular visitor to Malaysia I am wondering if BA will have even started flying there by end year. If the Government doesn’t open up to visitors, and there is no sign of that happening, then why would BA start flying there again. The MAS option is just too expensive and Qatar means quarantine for 14 days on arrival. Anyway, good luck and I hope you are correct.

    • MarkH says:

      7 Aug7 August 23:13

      Yeah it’s a distinct possibility that they don’t open up by Dec but we’re prepared that might happen.
      Heading there to visit my wife’s family so no hotels etc booked and flights are on points so not the biggest issue if we do need to cancel or the flights are cancelled for us.

      Fingers crossed we do get to go though.

  • Vicky says:

    7 Aug7 August 21:28

    They have done the same to me on DEL to LHR route on busy Christmas season Cancelled F and booked CW in same flight, I understand change in aircraft so no F and only CW but BA cleverly didn’t Downgrade instead cancelled the flight put us on the same flight which had 5 minutes schedule change already.

    If BA downgraded us then they are obliged to follow Article 7 of EC261 which is more complicated than cancellation 14days ahead rule. When phoned we were told no re-route, only Avios difference between F and CW will be refunded and that too for 1 passenger as the companion ticket is free so no Avios or compensation.

    This is ridiculous any advice how to deal ? They are want us to either take CW or refund tax + Avios but no 241 as we are in return leg. £195 annual fees and £10k spent and purchase of Avios and savings of Avios of course for a year all doomed in one email and call!!

    • Lady London says:

      7 Aug7 August 22:31

      If you read this daily thread for today and only 2 days back there are about 4 cases of this which have been answered.

      Badically BA is talking bollox and trying to bully you. A downgrade appears as a cancellation and then rebook to new class by them separately that’s normal they can never argue its not a downgrade. You will have to fly to make them pay out and may have to go as far as moneyclaim dot gov dot uk but that’s nothing unusual for BA even in cases they clearly will lose. Please refer to earlier answers and if you need any more it’s on flyertalk.

      • Lady London says:

        7 Aug7 August 22:57

        PS even on 241 both seats get compensation in full not just one. Enough judges told BA that in court.

        • Rob says:

          7 Aug7 August 23:34

          Enough arbitrators told BA that in the Small Claims Court. Big difference, since if a judge had said it, it would become legally binding.

        • Lady London says:

          8 Aug8 August 16:59

          Not in Small Claims Court. (ie moneyclaim). Judgments in Small Claims Court are not binding on higher Courts and do not become part of law. IIRC has to bf High Court at least for that to happen and moneyclaim is not that.

• Annabel says:

  7 Aug7 August 20:03

  BA just emailed to say they’ve cancelled our 2-4-1 Avios flights LHR to Hong Kong February 2020. They’re running still another flight on our dates but if I wanted to shift the dates slightly but here’s no Avios availability can they open it up for me? Thanks!

  • pauldb says:

    7 Aug7 August 20:12

    BA are obliged to reroute, and the fact it’s a reward booking makes no difference, nor whether or not the other flights has award availability.
    Technically the rerouting they offer you doesn’t have to be their other flight, but in practice it almost certainly will be. I’m surprised they haven’t already done so.

    • Annabel says:

      7 Aug7 August 21:02

      Thank you pauldb. Sounds like they’ll just put us on the other flight on same dates with no option to change dates where no Avios availability.

      • Lady London says:

        7 Aug7 August 22:41

        If they cancel or seriously reschedule your flight you get to choose a different or same date flight on a date covenient to you not them : thats the law.

        there does not have to be avios availability on your choice of flight, any available seat in your class of travel will do. evenbif new flight would cost more ….ahem… you dont pay anything. Demand a ‘reroute” to get the replacenent date that works for you.

        if you take a voucher you are stuck.needing avios availability and if you take a refund you have no further claim

• Sukes says:

  7 Aug7 August 20:07

  Q regarding the current IHG sort of BOGOF offer, otherwise known as ‘Stay 2 nights and save!’. I’m not a regular stayer at IHGs – am I likely to incur any issues with reception if I book two stays on this offer rate with back to back dates? I could have the 2nd stay booked on OH’s account.

  • BJ says:

    7 Aug7 August 21:25

    There will certainly be no problem if one stay is booked in name of OH.

    • Sukes says:

      7 Aug7 August 22:11

      Good to know, thks BJ.

      Datapt: I spoke with CP Kensington today, they confirmed that Exec Lounge is closed. As an alternative club room guests are being offered hot cooked a la carte breakfast in the garden & drinks at the bar 5-7pm daily. Similar to the Club offer at Conrad St James as @Michael_C commented earlier.

• Chelseafi says:

  7 Aug7 August 22:38

  Apologies not sure if already mentioned but BA have extended book with confidence….. bookings made from 3 March until 30 September 2020 for journeys that are due to have been completed by 31 August 2021

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