UK and Ireland added to the United States travel ban

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• Graham Walsh says:

  14 Mar14 March 17:20

  Out in the US and expected to fly home on Thursday 19th. By the sounds of it there won’t be planes here to fly us back now?

  • AJA says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:22

    I suspect BA will still fly for a few days. Make sure your contact information is up to date on your booking. If BA cancel flights you will be re-routed in order to get you home, possibly on American Airlines instead. Good luck!

    • Graham Walsh says:

      14 Mar14 March 17:27

      Just called BA and she said they don’t know yet, they are in the process of writing a policy and procedure and to call back in around an hour.

      • AJA says:

        14 Mar14 March 17:54

        If you can have a look at some itineraries that will suit you. It will help BA if what they offer at first doesn’t suit. Not sure where you are in the US but it might work to fly internally in the US to JFK and then from JFK to LHR / LGW. Also keep all boarding passes so that after it all settles down you can check if you are awarded Avios and TP. If not you can also apply for Original Routing Credit.

        • Graham Walsh says:

          14 Mar14 March 18:00

          I’m in MIA on a 241 Avios ticket. When I called, she said all seats have blocked and she couldn’t even look to reboot until they make a decision as they are int the process of writing a policy. Meanwhile over on twitter, someone was worried about their status whilst sitting at home. I’m sure BA have more pressing things to respond to.

  • marcw says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:24

    You can asume that flight will fly probably fine for at least another week. Iberia is currently planning to fly every US destination they serve as scheduled for the next week, despite the ban already in place.

  • Mike says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:28

    There will still be the odd flight (US citizens and residents still have to travel), but when it will go and with which airline who knows…

    Plan to get to one of those 13 airports that is accepting passengers from Europe.

  • jamie says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:30

    Similarly in ATL flying back wednesday hopefully, is there more clarity on return flights?
    Presumably Trump happy to get foreigners out of country

  • TGLoyalty says:

    14 Mar14 March 19:21

    I’m sure there will be a flight but it may not be direct. I hope you don’t face too much hassle.

• James A says:

  14 Mar14 March 17:23

  What a global catastrophe this virus is. With long lasting and far reaching consequences.

  • Jcp says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:31

    No one knows how many people will get it or die, but the economic consequences will be huge. Even if it were to stop by the end of the month (which it won’t).

  • Thor says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:33

    What you on about, I was assured by this site that it was a Pussycat virus

    • James H says:

      14 Mar14 March 18:14

      Indeed. Though he seems to have stopped calling it that now, rather crowing over the fact that the dead are over 70 🤦‍♂️No humanity.

    • James H says:

      14 Mar14 March 18:15

      Indeed. Though he seems to have stopped calling it that now, rather crowing over the fact that the dead are over 70 🤦‍♂️No humanity.

  • ChrisBCN says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:40

    Indeed it is, despite what a well know commentator would have everyone believe….

  • Doug M says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:53

    At the moment the catastrophe is the reactions to it.

    • BLT says:

      14 Mar14 March 18:40

      Doug M , I always find your comments level headed. However, the reaction to the virus is huge because the effects of the virus are huge. I have an academic friend who says the reaction of governments has so far been proportionate. Italian information shows a morbidity rate of over 70s as 10%, that has massive consequences, way beyond influenza. The affected countries want to try to get herd immunity of 60% but ideally keeping the elderly more isolated. This therefore requires the actions of many countries to control it’s spread and try to flatten the curve.
      The potential worst case consequences to these actions could lead to reduced GDP, lots of businesses big and small getting into financial difficulties (travel companies, high street shops, cinemas, intu etc etc) which could potentially lead to big losses to banks and financial institutions which could lead to another financial crisis – hence the market reactions. All this of course is a wworse case scenario, but if a lot of countries end up like Italy who knows.

  • ChrisBCN says:

    15 Mar15 March 13:36

    CAT-astrophe indeed

• Louise K says:

  14 Mar14 March 17:32

  I am currently in in Hawaii, flying back to LA on Thursday and due to fly home with BA on Friday. Hoping we get home ok but not sure if our flights will even operate now.

  • ChrisBCN says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:45

    Don’t let it ruin the rest of your holiday! I’m sure you’ll be fine as a UK citizen heading to the UK. Just be prepared that there may be a change of routing or airline.

    • Louise K says:

      14 Mar14 March 18:01

      Indeed.

      Life is pretty normal here and probably the safest with only 2 cases.

      We are supposed to be flying home in F on. 241 so rather selfishly concerned that if my flight is affected we might be bumped.

      Will be grateful to just get home though.

• Tom says:

  14 Mar14 March 17:32

  Do we know which are the 13 airports?

  • Lyn says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:42

    I saw the list yesterday, possibly on the American Airlines web-site? But I can’t find it now, at least not easily, sorry.

  • Doug M says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:55

    While those travel restrictions will not apply to US citizens, legal permanent residents, and their family members, those who do fly from the European countries will be forced to land at the following 13 airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York; Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois; San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California; Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington; Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii; Los Angeles International Airport, (LAX), California; Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia; Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia; Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey; Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas; Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Michigan; Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Massachusetts; and Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida.

    • Tom says:

      14 Mar14 March 18:14

      Thanks!

    • Lawyer Time says:

      14 Mar14 March 19:15

      And if you tell me that you won’t fly me to my originally ticketed destination, then you’ve de facto cancelled or materially changed my flight, and you’re going to give me a refund. Period.

• meta says:

  14 Mar14 March 17:32

  O/T Email from Marriott. Relevant bit

  Specifically, we have paused points expiration until August 31, 2020 allowing Members ample time to redeem their points. In addition, we have extended the expiration of suite night awards (SNAs) with an expiration date of December 31, 2020 by one year to December 31, 2021. Lastly, Members who currently have an active Free Night Award (FNA) expiring in 2020 as part of their credit card benefit, annual choice benefit, promotions or travel package will be able to use it through January 31, 2021. We understand that earning status for 2021 may also be on your mind. As the current situation is still evolving, it is too early for us to make any changes.

  • meta says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:38

    Also speaking of Marriott, my 15 elite nights from Bonvoy credit card posted! That was super quick, I thought it would be in April!

    • Will says:

      14 Mar14 March 17:49

      Same

    • Chrisasaurus says:

      14 Mar14 March 20:18

      Hmm… as have mine – plus my 10 for the mastercard I wasn’t anticipating getting too

      Shhhhhhh

• Charlotte says:

  14 Mar14 March 17:38

  My partner is on a plane to the US as we speak. Will he be able to return to the UK on his scheduled flight Thursday, or will he be forced to return to the UK earlier? If not, should he make arrangements to return as soon as possible. Very worried. Any advice appreciated.

  • Lyn says:

    14 Mar14 March 18:02

    Sorry, I tried to reply to you and my comment ended up further down the page.

• Allan says:

  14 Mar14 March 17:39

  BA Holidays have just emailed to say automatic full refund for a Flight + Hotel booking in 2 weeks time.

  • Anna says:

    14 Mar14 March 18:31

    That’s good. I am wondering what will happen to my hire car booking which is partly in the US and partly in the Caribbean 🤦‍♀️

• Simon Robinson says:

  14 Mar14 March 17:47

  I have an avois flight on Tuesday from Lima to Madrid that may be cancelled but Iberia can’t confirm yet. If it is cancelled there will be no re-routing offered as it’s an avios booking.
  I think I still have a few options left to get home. Does anyone know if I make a contingency booking with for an Iberia flight via the BA site using avios, if the 24hr free cancellation period applies that you get if you buy tickets for cash?

  • meta says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:56

    Avios booking is treated in the same way as cash booking, so you have to be offered a re-route. However, you might to have to fight for it via MCOL, if Iberia doesn’t want to.

    • Lady London says:

      14 Mar14 March 20:28

      Iberia is pants for any rerouting not suggested by Iberia. Horrible, horrible airline with poor procedures.

  • Shoestring says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:59

    yep 24hr cancel for free still applies – and as mentioned, you get the same EC261 protection ie Iberia must re-ticket you and offer duty of care (food & hotel etc) until you can leave

  • Anna says:

    14 Mar14 March 17:59

    Simon – you have the same right to re-routing regardless of how you paid (though tricky if there are no other flights, of course). Yes you can cancel an BA Avios booking for free within 24 hours but you can cancel it anyway for £35 up until 24 hours before travel, hence my own plan B!

  • Simon Robinson says:

    14 Mar14 March 18:05

    Thanks for the replies. The person I spoke to at Iberia clearly gave me the wrong information about re-routing. Now I have the correct information I will be able to challenge them.

    • Shoestring says:

      14 Mar14 March 18:12

      that’s your biggest problem as IB are one of the very worst airlines in dealing with re-ticketing and other EC261 issues

      • meta says:

        14 Mar14 March 18:18

        I would try and record conversation, especially if as they might refuse again and then rebook on your own and go to MCOL. Perhaps also email Iberia / contact via social media so you have written proof as well that you’ve tried all to reason with them.

      • NigelthePensioner says:

        14 Mar14 March 20:19

        Apart from Aer Fungus and Lyin ‘ Air obviously!!

    • Lady London says:

      14 Mar14 March 21:19

      IME IB will be obdurate when you politely point out what you are legally entitled to and will say “We don’t do that”. They even told me their procedures supersede European statute.

      I suggest you make your own backup arrangements while you keep trying especially as this is IB.

  • Lady London says:

    14 Mar14 March 20:31

    IIRC I have cancelled an avios booking within 24hrs no cost no points lost.

  • Bagoly says:

    14 Mar14 March 20:42

    Definitely a good idea to book it through BA rather than with IB despite higher cost – even at non-busy times cancelling with IB is a nightmare.

  • Simon Robinson says:

    15 Mar15 March 05:20

    Just to update – I got a re-route following a 2hr+ phone call having waited for 4hrs on hold.
    They only agreed to do this after I quoted EC261 and the relevant article and sub section. Painful isn’t the word but I’m obviously happy to be going home which probably wouldn’t have happened without the advice I received here, so thanks again.

    • Alex Sm says:

      15 Mar15 March 11:46

      You have plenty of time on your hands, don’t you?

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