-
I was set to fly LHR->AMS yesterday evening (BA443; scheduled 21:10) on an avios redemption in Club Europe. A text received read “The safety of our customers and colleagues is our highest priority, and we deemed it necessary to change the aircraft scheduled to operate your flight.” (That text also talked about there being no refreshments available for the new aircraft and offering a refreshment voucher for the airport; that worked albeit with tight timings given the closing times of the schiphol restaurants.)
At around 22:45 (at the gate) there was finally an announcement that there was not going to be replacement aircraft and that the flight was cancelled. On checking the BA app I then saw that I had been rebooked on to the a flight this morning (BA423; scheduled 7:20), that booking was in Economy. It was then announced that overnight accommodation would be on a “pay and claim” basis and no further information was forthcoming. There was no paper handout and we were all left on our own to sort things out.
I checked in on the app and (having gone through security) checked-in at one of hotels attached to the airport (at their “best rate”).
I’m not sure whether this counts as a cancellation / delay etc. and would appreciate some guidance on:
1. What can/should be done regarding any EU261 claim? To summarise: final arrival time in the UK was ultimately 11hrs 17mins later than originally scheduled; I was downgraded on an avios redemption from Club Europe to Economy; I was advised that hotel accommodation was on “pay and claim” basis.
2. Any guidance on submitting the hotel claim? Any pitfalls to watch out for?
£220 cancellation compensation plus hotel and breakfast expenses submit receipt. Looks open and shut mechanical or other safety issue with BA’s aircraft so I’d put it on 1 claim – there’s a form on BA website.
If you’d needed transport to and from hotel or had to pay internet, this is claimable as well.
PS Downgrade reimbursement is ? 30 ?% of your fare reimbursement. so only a few avios back assuming your award flight was RFS.
I’d write them a *separate* note pleasantly asking about downgrade compensation if you care – it’s not actually “compensation” you’re entitled to so I’m suggesting you ask for that as a *deliberate* error.
The actual right is to reimbursement but it’s worth not much on a short route. They might say they’ll refund the difference in avios between the 2 classes which still doesn’t give you anything extra for “sorry” even though it is more than the 30% reimbursement you’re entitled to would be.
By separating and making a deiberate error asking for compensation, this error is made by a lot of people, there’s a chance they might toss you 5,000 avios and just an outside chance on a good day it might be more.
What you’re entitled to for downgrade is so small I’d take a punt. Defo keep it separate from the other claim for cancellation compo+expenses as you don’t want them to try to fob you off with a single avios amount for the lot.
Thank you for the guidance.
I put in the claim as suggested for the UK261 compensation and hotel reimbursement yesterday evening at 9pm and have just (4pm) received an email saying both will be paid. Very impressed with the turn-around from BA.
Just to add to the above, the compensation / reimbursement hit my account today. So, in terms of turn-around, should it be useful for other people:
Flight problem: 2024-05-05 / 2024-05-06
Claim submission on website: 2024-05-06 (9pm)
Email saying claim to be paid: 2024-05-07 (4pm)
Money received: 2024-05-13When the claim is simple BA really does pay up quickly.
And the vast majority of claims are simple.
When the claim is simple BA really does pay up quickly.
And the vast majority of claims are simple.
Took them 6 months to pay out on a pretty straightforward claim of mine, via CEDR.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
