BA Cancelled flight claim

[MillyS]

Hi All
I wanted to know where I stand with this claim and sense check before I respond.

The Scenario:
Original Flight – 28/08/24 – MPL to LGW – Cancelled (17:30 UK time 27/08)
Rebook offered – 29/08/24 – MPL to LGW – 26 hours after original flight time.

This did not work for me as I needed to be back for meetings on the 28th. Called BA and the only flight they had available on 28th was from MRS (2 hours taxi from where I was) to LHR (different arrival airport and my car was parked at LGW). I took this route as there was no other choice.

I requested compensation, rebate on taxi costs and compensation in Avios for the inconvenience.

BA’s response:
Your claim for compensation has been refused because after flight BA2579 on 28 August was cancelled, we offered you a new flight that arrived at your destination before the original scheduled arrival time. Under the EU Regulation 261/2004 or Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers’ Licencing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, we’re not liable to pay any compensation for this kind of situation.

I am aware that the disruption to your flight has resulted in additional costs. We appreciate you sending the receipts. I’ve arranged a bank transfer for an amount of £391.61 for your out-of-pocket expenses.

What Next:
I still feel BA should offer me compensation (Avios) for the inconvenience casued. What should I be pushing for? I Appreciete that I don’t qualify for the £220 cancelled flight compansation as stated in thier response.

Would appreciate any pointers.

[NorthernLass]

I think they’ve fulfilled their legal obligations by reimbursing the extra costs you incurred, there’s not really any protection against inconvenience, sadly.

[yonasl]

Compensation is a payment if you have a cancellation to delay that makes you reach your destination 3-4hrs later. (Also if you had to depart earlier)

BA is right not to pay you this. Even if it is annoying they cancelled. You got there without much delay with a different flight. (The time to reach the right airport is not part of that computation)

However, what you are asking for is duty of care. These are all associated costs due to the cancellation (which they seem to be paying partially).

[TGLoyalty]

The OP recognises they aren’t due anything but BA messed them about.

I would just be really clear and concise that while they aren’t liable for any legal compensation you’re a long standing loyal customer and some goodwill Avios to help you get closer to enjoying another flight might help forget about the experience. Probably lay on your loyalty to BA etc a bit thick.

But to be honest expect to get nothing.

[Richie]

Ask for some avios if you really want some and go into detail about how awful your experience was.

[MillyS]

Thank you all for your responses. As mentioned by some of you, a gesture of goodwill for the inconvenience is a more accurate description of what I am after.

[Londonsteve]

In this case I wouldn’t hold out for any compensation for the inconvenience as you reached your destination on the intended day and all your unexpected costs were paid. I’d suggest it was relatively generous of them to pay a 2 hour taxi ride as they can get tricky about this if you could have viably reached the alternative airport with a train in the time available. Had you flown on the rescheduled flight the following day, assuming the cause of the delay wasn’t weather or ATC related you’d have been entitled to EU261 compensation for the cancellation. You voluntarily requested a flight from an alternative departure airport to ensure a same-day arrival in London (I do understand you felt forced to do this because of work commitments) and as such, BA has fulfilled its side of the bargain and my understanding is your arrival wasn’t delayed (even if you did spend significantly longer undertaking the journey).

[BJ]

To add to above you would also have been offered a full refund by BA so intimately in making your choices you yourself were deciding whether to inconvenience yourself. I have every sympathy with the annoyance changed to travel plans can cause but BA have met their obligations in your case.