The HfP chat thread – Friday 27th August

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• Pid says:

  27 Aug27 August 08:03

  Almost missed my flight from LHR to Lisbon a couple of days ago as BA had failed to correctly issue the ticket. We were using a redemption which was originally booked for last Oct, got moved to Apr and then finally Aug this year. Before arriving at the airport the flight was showing in MMB, I received lots of reminder emails and could reserve seats (as Silver). Even verified all of my COVID travel documents the day before, although would not let me check in. I thought this was, however, due to the fact we were travelling with an infant and that they wanted to check the docs.

  Arrived at the check in at 0530 for a 0730 flight and check in agent was extremely helpful but was unable to check us in as the outward flight had not been ticketed, although she could see the return flight had. She rang reservations department at the airport, but they were unable to do anything as they only deal with cash flights so had to pass the issue to the redemptions department to resolve. Basically meant I was stood at the check in desk for over an hour with the family (2 young kids). The call finally came through to confirm it was ticked a couple of minutes after the flight had officially closed but fortunately the supervisor has a 10 min window to reopen the flight, after that there was nothing they could have done. So we reached the flight as it was already boarding and missed the chance to grab any breakfast in the lounge.

  Any thoughts on compensation due? Not a great way to start a holiday with the kids worried that that we would miss the only flight of the day.

  • Pete M says:

    27 Aug27 August 08:22

    I’d write in and complain, but not sure you’ll get anything more than an apology and Covid excuse.

    • John says:

      27 Aug27 August 09:18

      What does covid have to do with BA not issuing the ticket correctly

      • Pete M says:

        27 Aug27 August 09:54

        Covid is an excuse for everything at BA if you have contacted them to complain about absolutely anything in the past 18months.

        • John says:

          27 Aug27 August 11:11

          Yes covid is an excuse for all customer service failures at all companies

  • TGLoyalty says:

    27 Aug27 August 08:30

    Unfortunately, this happens and while you shouldn’t have to it’s always important to check you have actual tickets issued (starting 125-)

    I guess you’ll get offered a few Avios for the trouble if they feel generous (maybe 5-10k) but don’t expect much.

  • Blenz101 says:

    27 Aug27 August 08:32

    What are you looking to be compensated for? You made the flight.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      27 Aug27 August 08:40

      The aggro of the phone calls that needed to be made, discussions OP had to have, the stress of the will you won’t you, missed breakfast in lounge

      A crap start to a trip by all accounts.

      Making the flight isn’t the be all and end all.

    • AndyW says:

      27 Aug27 August 08:46

      The service! The flight is the key aspect clearly, but as with everything there is an expectation of at least a minimal level of competency. Doing that with two young kids would not be fun

  • VerdantBacon says:

    27 Aug27 August 08:41

    No compensation due, though they might give you a token apology and maybe some points. There’s no obligation for them to give you anything as you made your flight.

  • Dave says:

    27 Aug27 August 08:59

    “Throw away the experience, but save the lesson”

    Always ensure you get an e-ticket receipt / ticket number when booking a flight.

  • xcalx says:

    27 Aug27 August 09:15

    Another person may have heaped praise on BA for getting them onto a flight that the OP had failed to check had been ticketed ( schoolboy error ). The lesson here is to double check a booking to see if it’s ticketed.

    • MattB says:

      27 Aug27 August 09:21

      99% of flyers would not be aware you have to be ticketed so its hardly a schoolboy error. If you’ve booked something had payment taken and confirmation emails then you shouldnt expect to have to jump through further hoops.

      • APB says:

        27 Aug27 August 09:40

        Couldn’t agree more – the level of knowledge of the hfp reader is significantly higher than the average punter. 95% of people would rightly expect, since they have a confirmation email and have paid for a flight, to be able to board without any issue. Stuck at a check in desk with two kids not knowing if you’re going to be able to fly through no fault of your own isn’t good service

        • xcalx says:

          27 Aug27 August 09:47

          True, however the OP posted on HfP and redeemed Avios. I have wrongly assumed he was maybe in the HfP reading 5%

        • Lady London says:

          27 Aug27 August 14:01

          Been caught on that one with Lufthansa. Unbeknownst to me and without saying so tbey sent all the details of a reward booking aa confirmed. Nothing said on the phone and nothing on the confirmation. Found out too late I was supposed to call them again or contact them again in some way – still not clear why – for it to be ticketed.

          So calling up 8 months later, after a US airline reschedule of my confirmed flight was automatically notified to me and I wasn’t landing in time to be able to accept tp fly on my booked LH award flight 5 hours earlier, Lufthansa told me out of the blue my flight hadn’t even been ticketed. So there was nothing I could do. Lost the flight.

          That was the last straw with Lufthansa and I dumped Miles&More.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      27 Aug27 August 09:59

      It’s not a schoolboy error at all!

      99.9% of people wouldn’t know or care if hadn’t been ticketed in the background when they’d purchased flights and are getting emails about their trip etc

      • xcalx says:

        27 Aug27 August 10:12

        TGLoyalty says:
        27 August 08:30

        Unfortunately, this happens and while you shouldn’t have to it’s always important to check you have actual tickets issued (starting 125-)

        • TGLoyalty says:

          27 Aug27 August 10:43

          Yes a lesson from reading these comments which I would share with anyone else booking on the phone. I also noted it’s unfortunate you should have to do it because you absolutely shouldn’t have to worry about it.

          However, I’m not claiming it’s a schoolboy error.

  • LS says:

    27 Aug27 August 10:07

    This is a terrible situation, that BA should never have put you in. The worst part is that BA have absolutely no mandatory obligation to you here – if you’d missed the flight, there was nothing legally due either. The e-ticket is the contract between you, and it had not been formed. It really seems so unfair that BA has all the power here, and worse that most passengers wouldn’t realise anything was wrong until getting to the airport.

    • PQTR says:

      27 Aug27 August 10:18

      This is not correct, for various reasons. BA cannot just decide they wish not to ticket you once they’ve deducted the funds/avios.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        27 Aug27 August 10:44

        Agree disagree it’s not BA’s problem. The ticket isn’t the start of a legal contract. Making a booking and then accepting your cash is.

    • Doug M says:

      27 Aug27 August 11:14

      @LS do you have something to support this view. In my experience failure to ticket is ALWAYS BA’s problem.

  • Doug M says:

    27 Aug27 August 11:12

    I think with this you may get get some Avios. Failure to ticket is entirely a BA problem and they know it.

    • Lady London says:

      27 Aug27 August 14:06

      BA are lucky the family didn’t miss the flight and bill them for a stay with all amenities and meals at the Terminal 5 Sofitel until BA could honour their contract to transport them.

      Plus amounts for ‘loss of amenity’ for not having access to the pleasures of being on holiday in the place booked until BA got them there. Plus any specific losses such as prepaid spa appointments and excursions.

      BA wouldn’t have a leg to stand on IMV

  • Pid says:

    27 Aug27 August 14:57

    hanks for the comments. Yes I should have checked it had been ticketed but really should not need to especially as I had when receive multiple emails from them about the flight. Perhaps on the email called “Final call to get flight-ready” which reminds you to ensure you have double checked all the entry requirements and tells you about other “important information” they should add check the flight has been ticketed!

    The check in agent was very helpful, and we were obviously chatting for quite a long time but she was limited with what she could do. She was equally frustrated that they no longer have any ticket agents at the airport and only have one number to call who only deal with cash bookings. She made it clear a mistake must have occurred as the return was showing as ticketed on the system, just the outward was missing. I have also just realised they have charged the taxes/fees again. Having checked by CC statements online, I was previously charged these last Sep when I booked the original flight and not received a refund since.

    So I will be raising a complaint because the should investigate why mistakes are made to try and prevent them happening again (if they bother of course!). An apology and a few avios would also be nice of course but getting the duplicate taxes/fees back is now more important!

  • trader363 says:

    27 Aug27 August 15:00

    Similiar happened with me only for my return flight from Barbados to London a couple a weeks ago.
    Had been in barbados for 2 weeks. Had received emails from BA saying they are looking forward to welcoming me onboard in first class etc. Then on the day of check in, the app wouldn’t give me my boarding pass. Called BA and luckily it was 7 hours before my flight so they sorted it, but they claim to have sent 2 emails to my email address and my wife’s. We double and triple checked and am 100% sure I didn’t receive them.

    Asked the CS agent on what we should do differently next time as BA’s website has no indication that the tickets haven’t been issued and the answer was: you wouldn’t know unless you received the email!

• Marie says:

  27 Aug27 August 08:10

  Anyone been through Stanstead recently ? Heading out over bank holiday weekend . Do you advise fast track ? Thanks

  • Lottie says:

    27 Aug27 August 08:57

    We went out on a Friday afternoon and landed Tuesday at midnight. Brought fast track security out and passport back. Very glad we did as the check in queue for bags was over an hour going out, followed by a long queue at security, maybe not so worth it if you have no baggage. Coming back the passport hall was full and overflowing down into the ramp whereas we walked straight through. Well worth the money even before reducing the cost through the cash back sites.

    • Marie says:

      27 Aug27 August 09:12

      Good to know ! Thank you

  • Dave says:

    27 Aug27 August 09:36

    Stansted.

  • Damian says:

    27 Aug27 August 11:14

    Definitely, I was there a week ago. Queues were huge so we paid for fast track and straight through. Lounge was quiet with plenty of available tables.

• Patrycja says:

  27 Aug27 August 08:15

  I am trying to book a flight back from San Sebastián to Edinburgh. The connection is via Madrid and London. I can only book it via Iberia not BA site. First two flights are operated by Iberia and last by BA. Is that the reason why I cannot book it via BA site? Do Iberia have an option to upgrade with Avios or part pay? It did not come as an option when I tried to book it last night

  • Colin MacKinnon says:

    27 Aug27 August 08:25

    Came back Ryanair from Santander last week . Direct flight , not too busy, left 20 mins early and arrived 25 mins early! Only two flights a week, but if it fits your plans the motorway past Bilbao to Santander has great scenery!
    On last four Ryanair flights, no-one has paid for emergency exit rows. So order their meal deal for 10 euro (liked the curry), pay the £6 for the emergency exit and have an extra legroom Club Europe deal!!!

    • Patrycja says:

      27 Aug27 August 11:01

      Hey Colin! Hope you’re well. Greetings from sunny Madeira! Let me check it out. We are flying Ryanair into Barcelona so Santander route back might work. Iberia flight from Madrid to London is actually on airbus 350 so I thought it would be a nice end of holiday given we’ve flown a lot more with low cost carriers this year.

  • Michael C says:

    27 Aug27 August 08:31

    Not sure if it’s the sort of thing you’re looking for, but just as an fyi, you could catch the lovely train to Bordeaux then fly to Edinburgh direct with Ryanair!

    • Patrycja says:

      27 Aug27 August 11:02

      Michael, I always look for good suggestions. Is there a direct train to Bordeaux?

      • Michael C says:

        27 Aug27 August 12:52

        In Hendaya, you switch “tracks” onto the TGV, but it’s there waiting for you: the whole thing takes abou 2 minutes, and the trip itself is around 3 hours and extremely pleasant.
        Hope it all works out – and pop into St-Jean-de-Luz if you have time, gorgeous.

  • Lyn says:

    27 Aug27 August 11:35

    It is just possible BA may not be showing the flights because it involves two connections, MAD and LON.

    Have you already tried booking it via BA as multicity, specifying the connections you need, all on the same day?

    • Lyn says:

      27 Aug27 August 11:47

      Sorry, forget that (multi-city). I’ve just tried it and it doesn’t work either.

      • Patrycja says:

        27 Aug27 August 12:01

        Indeed! Tried that last night and it kept kicking me out!

• Tanya says:

  27 Aug27 August 08:25

  Any tips on getting through to BA ? Trying since 07.30 and keep getting cut off. Trying to book with a FTV

  • Craig says:

    27 Aug27 August 08:55

    I’m starting to think that writing to them will be quicker?

    • FFoxSake says:

      27 Aug27 August 09:00

      I’m thinking of starting a carrier pigeon service. Might be quicker?

  • SteveJ says:

    27 Aug27 August 09:13

    Call the 0747 BAEC number, Option 3

  • Toby says:

    27 Aug27 August 09:23

    I called +442032500145 just before 8 yesterday and got straight through.

  • MattB says:

    27 Aug27 August 10:49

    I just got through in 35 mins on the bronze line, assumed it was just for show and I would be lumped in with the other non status calls but maybe not reading some comments here.

    • Rob says:

      27 Aug27 August 11:39

      No, it does work. I got through in 10 mins at 8am on Gold Line yesterday.

• KBuffett says:

  27 Aug27 August 08:35

  Can a FTV be used on BA holidays?

  Is there any way to convert a BA 241 into a value based voucher of some type (seems unlikely, but I thought I’d check).

  • Reney says:

    27 Aug27 August 08:50

    from what i have read, if you book a flight that is subsequently cancelled then you can get a cash refund?

    • ChrisC says:

      27 Aug27 August 10:12

      That’s not the question being asked!

      1. Yes an FTV can be used for a BA Holiday as long as it’s a cash FTV (i.e. not including avios or a 2-4-1)

      2. No.

• Reney says:

  27 Aug27 August 09:06

  Paris bound! In case I need to take out any cash in Paris, any particular backing card behind curve that I should avoid? Or will they all be ok?

  Will be at Kimpton St Honroe tomorrow, 👋 to other HFPers who will be there!

• james says:

  27 Aug27 August 09:09

  I’ve been rejected for the IHG credit card and can’t work out why.
  Experian rating of 999 and I hold BAPP and took out Amex Plat and Amex business gold 4 months ago with a supp on all. I’m also a supp on an Amex Gold. Never missed a payment, net monthly income >6K and never held an IHG.
  Any insights or suggestions appreciated

  • stevenhp1987 says:

    27 Aug27 August 09:12

    Probably a combination of factors.

    Creation not focusing on the UK market
    Creation are generally cutting limits atm, not raising them
    You’re not going to earn them any money in interest

    • Char Char says:

      27 Aug27 August 09:59

      If they are not focusing on UK market and cutting limits then they should just take the application form down.

      They also don’t know how he will spend unless he had a previous card.

  • Tony1 says:

    27 Aug27 August 09:22

    I had this “problem” over the xmas period – sent them an e mail stating my finances etc, and got approved. 10K£ limit.
    Think it is a “computer” problem with them as good credit often rejected automatically, but allowed on manual appeal.

    • Harry T says:

      27 Aug27 August 09:54

      Virgin Money also do this.

    • james says:

      27 Aug27 August 17:27

      Top advice – many thanks

  • John says:

    27 Aug27 August 09:27

    Your Experian score is irrelevant as you wanted a card from Creation, not Experian. Your creation score may be very low for commerical reasons known only to creation employees.

    • Reney says:

      27 Aug27 August 09:38

      @John, I have seen two posts from you this week that suggests you are not sure how credit scores work. I would like to suggest section 4 of this link as a starting point. I don’t mean to be rude, just sharing knowledge.
      https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/credit-rating-credit-score/

      • Dave says:

        27 Aug27 August 09:48

        @Reney Creation use Equifax not Experian, so in that respect John is correct – Experian is irrelevant in this case.

        • Pete M says:

          27 Aug27 August 09:56

          I initially got rejected last year because it didn’t like the format of my address – have you tried playing around with that?

      • Andrew says:

        27 Aug27 August 09:57

        John is correct. The Experian score means nothing to anyone but Experian. There’s little point in going straight to Section 4 in the link, when the most important line is Section 1.

        “Each lender scores you differently and secretly.”

        It’s the *Lender* who you are applying to for a Credit Card. Not Experian, Not Equifax and not Transunion – they just supply a data feed of the applicant’s history.

      • Char Char says:

        27 Aug27 August 09:57

        Well John is right to point out that Creation will use their own scoring methods and credit agencies score aren’t guaranteed for anything

        • LS says:

          27 Aug27 August 10:10

          Yes. I think John is right. Even if Creation used Experian, they would not see the credit score, they would only get the data and calculate their own score from this (which no doubt includes profitability in the mix as well).

      • John says:

        27 Aug27 August 11:16

        I know exactly how credit scores work (or rather don’t work). Do you work for Experian?

        • Reney says:

          27 Aug27 August 11:38

          No, but I have some background in models.

        • Jonathan says:

          27 Aug27 August 18:22

          If you work for Experian then you should know that the number Experian give you as a credit score is generated by an Experian algorithm and carries no weight with anyone but Experian.

          999 may be “perfect” in that you have a long unblemished credit history & always pay on time but that basically makes you an unprofitable customer for a credit card company these days. Creation probably prefer someone who misses the odd payment but never more than 2 in a row & runs a balance ie. generates them some income & minimises their outgoings buying IHG Points.

          Obviously if you work for Experian then you have an interest in promoting the value of this meaningless score as it generates subscription fees from gullible consumers 🤷‍♂️

      • Alex says:

        27 Aug27 August 19:45

        You should read point 1 of that link, scores aren’t universal. The only important bit is the history on your file is correct, lenders can then make an informed decision on if they want to offer credit based on that history.

  • The Savage Squirrel says:

    27 Aug27 August 13:46

    I got rejected when using self employed status and my true income.
    When I changed my application to employed with a much lower income (hey, life’s uncertain, it MIGHT go lower … and I am employed … by myself 😀 ), it sailed through.

    • Sandra says:

      27 Aug27 August 14:23

      I find Creation quite baffling, had the black card since it started & good credit limit, always paid off in full. But increasingly I am finding some payments are rejected for no reason. Last week I gave my card details to the local Volvo garage over the phone so they could tax my new car ready for collection – wouldn’t process it so I changed to PRG & it went through no problem. Paying the car tax via DVLA online for my son yesterday I thought it might get rejected as all details apart from the card were his, but it went through without a hitch. Today I ordered oil online & expected to get a text to put a code in at the payment stage as never paid with IHG at this supplier but that went straight through, yet with Sainsbury’s online I always get a text. I’ve come to the conclusion their fraud systems are very random & some things they just don’t like!

  • Steven says:

    27 Aug27 August 14:29

    Not sure if you are self employed but as TSS refers to above, it could be down to this. I’m in similar circumstances and the only reason I could think of rejection was the self employment.

• Paul says:

  27 Aug27 August 09:25

  Anyone know how to work out the cost of UUA when dummy bookings to try and work it out only turn up RFS values which can’t really be compared? Don’t want to bother with the endless hold of calling in to find out I don’t think it’s worth it… Want to go from Econ to Premium on LHR-YVR one-way, and yes, there is reward availability.. Thanks

  • Paul says:

    27 Aug27 August 09:36

    If it helps, it’s zone 6 I think (4700miles), off peak, so should be 16250Av Econ, and 32500Av Pram, so an UUA of 16250Av + fee difference, but none of these numbers match any on the RFS options. From dummy bookings, fee breakdown seems to be extra £98 in APD, so perhaps 16250Av and extra £98, or is that changed because it falls under RFS?

    • Sam G says:

      27 Aug27 August 09:50

      that sounds right – the YQ looks to be the same as well. Double check the current cash fares, with no change fees at the moment it might be better to pay cash though that doesn’t look like a bad deal. Don’t forget you can’t upgrade from O, Q or G cheapo fare class

      • Sam G says:

        27 Aug27 August 09:50

        YQ being the same means just to APD to pay

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.