British Airways Cancellation

[Callum]

I have just been informed by BA that both the outward and return flights for our trip on 17 January have been cancelled.

Their office is closed so I won't be able to talk to them until tomorrow.

With our own business, it will be virtually impossible to re-arrange dates for cover (and we have pre-paid parking and hotel for 16 January).

Has anyone experienced this sort of thing in the past? Any suggestions on how to handle BA?

Any lawyers out there?

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
Could you check to see if you could switch to the Tampa or Miami flight or even further afield and get an internal flight to Orlando? Obviously not as convienent as flying into Orlando non stop but better than not going at all.

Mick.

 

[Claire L]

Considering they have given you ample notice, under EU regs etc, then there is not alot you can do about it I am afraid to say other than go a day later and come home a day early or go on roiginal dates via another airport.

Claire

 

[wayneg]

Where you flying from? return date?
If its Glasgow, BA site is showing you can book flights for the 17th

 

[Callum]

I have now spoken with BA.

Basically, this flight (Gatwick/Orlando/Gatwick) "no longer operates on a Thursday" and, yes Claire you were right, under EU regs there is nothing they need do other than rebook us on another day.

We can fly on the 17th Jan and return on the 31st (our original dates) to either Tampa or Miami BUT we will be liable for any difference in the fare. Yes, even though BA cancelled our flights, we will have to stump up the difference.

If we go a day earlier or later we will be hit with cancellation, amendment charges for hotels, parking, car hire and even Disney! BA did tell me that I could approach their Customer Services people about theses costs but only AFTER we had completed the flight.

This is the second "fight" I have had with BA in 9 months (same sort of story on a connecting flight from Manchester to Edinburgh last April) and I now wish I hadn't booked with them

 

[T16GEM]

Sorry to hear the problems that you are having - just wanted to wish you luck in getting sorted.

 

[mackay_j]

Hi it is worth contacting there services dept as I got money back from them last year at Xmas when their flights were cancled due to the fog. They even paid my car parking as I had to drive to diff airport to depart.

Hope you have some joy with them.

Jacquie

 

[Callum]

Jacquie

Thanks. I intend to do this when I return but I think they will hide behind the "EU regs" mentioned earlier by Claire. Their argument will be that 5 weeks is ample notice of cancellation whereas fog, in your case, isn't. A minefield, eh?

I will give it my best shot.

Wayne - thanks for keeping an eye on the BA website. I guess they may have been showing that the flight was still available but when I checked at 5.45am today, all the Thursday flights had been removed

 

[AliceGardner]

We can fly on the 17th Jan and return on the 31st (our original dates) to either Tampa or Miami BUT we will be liable for any difference in the fare. Yes, even though BA cancelled our flights, we will have to stump up the difference.

If we go a day earlier or later we will be hit with cancellation, amendment charges for hotels, parking, car hire and even Disney! BA did tell me that I could approach their Customer Services people about theses costs but only AFTER we had completed the flight.

Hi, check your travel insurance - maybe that will cover the "out of pocket" expenses? Might be easier than fighting with BA.

Alice

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

They can charge YOU with a cancellation charge when THEY were the ones who canceled the flight? I can't believe they won't put you on the Tampa flight for free; it's not much farther from Disney than MCO is. I would think they'd do all they can to accommodate you! (Apparently not)

BobK/Orlando

 

[wayneg]

They can charge YOU with a cancellation charge when THEY were the ones who canceled the flight? I can't believe they won't put you on the Tampa flight for free; it's not much farther from Disney than MCO is. I would think they'd do all they can to accommodate you! (Apparently not)

BobK/Orlando

We are talking about BA, they have no idea how to treat customers.
I can't believe they expect customers to book again with them when they do things like this.

 

[Callum]

Everything was sorted out last night.

Thankfully, the Tampa flights proved to be £100 less than the Orlando ones so that is on it's way back to me.

Car hire people (www.carhiredirect.co.uk) simply changed the booking and pick up/drop off is now TPA rather than MCO. No sweat, no charges, no additional cost

We will stay over in Tampa on our first night (the £100 from BA will help) and drive to Orlando next day.

We are DVC members so our first night in Saratoga Springs has been cancelled and the points banked into next year's account

Overall, not the disaster I had first imagined but this is definately our last time with BA. Their customer service is non existent when it comes to assisting those who have been seriously effected by THEIR actions and decisions. As I said earlier, they just hide behind EU regulations and refuse to budge.

to everyone for their advice and support.

 

[wayneg]

Brilliant news.
Why can't companies understand if they try to help customers they will be loyal.
We missed a Virgin flight from heathrow last Oct to LAX, the Virgin staff helped all they could and got us on the next flight 3 hours later, no charge. They were great about it.
Most of the time it does not take much effort to keep customers happy they just dont try.

 

[Callum]

Well put, Wayne. I couldn't agree more.

 

[T16GEM]

Great news! I am glad that you are all sorted now - with a refund and everything!

 

[Netty]

Everything was sorted out last night.

Thankfully, the Tampa flights proved to be £100 less than the Orlando ones so that is on it's way back to me.

Car hire people (www.carhiredirect.co.uk) simply changed the booking and pick up/drop off is now TPA rather than MCO. No sweat, no charges, no additional cost

We will stay over in Tampa on our first night (the £100 from BA will help) and drive to Orlando next day.

We are DVC members so our first night in Saratoga Springs has been cancelled and the points banked into next year's account

Overall, not the disaster I had first imagined but this is definately our last time with BA. Their customer service is non existent when it comes to assisting those who have been seriously effected by THEIR actions and decisions. As I said earlier, they just hide behind EU regulations and refuse to budge.

to everyone for their advice and support.

Glad you got it all sorted at last!

 

[UKDEB]

It sounds as though BA have come up trumps, but from a PR point of view it would have been far better to provide you with all the alternatives at the same time they informed you of the cancellation, rather than leaving you to sweat for 24 hours .

So relieved for you that it's all sorted.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

We will stay over in Tampa on our first night (the £100 from BA will help) and drive to Orlando next day.

The driving time from TPA to Disney World is just a little over 1 hour.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Callum]

The driving time from TPA to Disney World is just a little over 1 hour.

BobK/Orlando

Thanks, Bob.

I have driven this stretch of the I275(?) and I4 many times before but always during the day. A nightime drive doesn't appeal to me - particularly after a 15/16 hour journey

We'll just chill out overnight in Tampa and hit the road next day. Maybe even find time to do something local before heading for WDW.

 

[gemmybear83]

Hi I'm new here-or BA flight returning on the 17th was cancelled too-and I only found out via this forum!!! Phoned BA and they have moved me onto the 18th Dinsey have booked us into Pop Century for an additional night (going to try and get the money back for that one!).

I am stressed enough with the proposed BAA strikes never mind this on top!!!