Chat thread – Tuesday 19th September

[NorthernLass]

Amy C wrote:

Currently in Aspire lounge Belfast city. It’s lovely! Food and drink offerings are wonderful too. Only flew into Belfast this morning and am already leaving in a couple of hours. Wanted to do the Titanic Experience. Well worth it.

Hi @Amy, if you’re interested in Titanic-related stuff there’s a section of the excellent Maritime Museum in Liverpool dedicated to it. If you don’t know Liverpool, it’s a great place for a short break, loads to do.

[DollarBill]

Hi,

Is it possible to avoid air passenger duty (ADP) tax if starting in Dublin and heading long haul east via LHR?

It’s an open jaw booking on a BA premium companion and it appears to be included. I understand that it is not applicable for the return leg. Do I need to ask the booking agent to remove it as I have strung together a “connecting” flight via LHR.

Appreciate any input as it’s my first 241 redemption.

[Lyn]

Annie wrote:

I’ve received an email cancelling my flight in April from San Diego to LHR. It says they’ve booked me on the next available flight and I can accept or cancel.
Question is, how long do I have to either accept or cancel?
I called BA and he tried to tell me I couldn’t cancel as it was only 2 hours earlier but I know I can as it’s a different flight number.

I’m in the same position as you, Annie, and wondering whether to give things a little while to settle or just accept the change now so we can choose our seats and also make sure we are on the same flight as we have separate bookings, one revenue and one award.

BA’s timetable for April looks rather strange. The normal BA272 on the A350 stops on March 30, and is replaced by the new BA264 on a 777 couple of hours earlier. Then as @FatherofFour says, there are two daily flights from April 20, when they reintroduce BA272 but now on a 787 instead of the A350 and an hour later than usual.

We are in PE so I’m not concerned about whether the 777, or indeed the 787 have Club Suites or old Club seats, which may not be the case for you. However there are fewer PE and J seats on some of the 777s than the A350 so they may not be able to accomodate everyone on the original flight, which argues for earlier rather than later acceptance. I have no idea which version of the 777 they will be using.

In my (way too) many years of experience in flying BA on this route I have got used to BA making changes to the route, such as dropping it completely occasionally, to flying via LA or Phoenix, to the more mundane changes of aircraft type. So I am sceptical about whether it can really support two daily flights. The local BA people in San Diego used to say it was commercially viable on cargo alone, but that was on a 747, and right before they cancelled the route yet again, and anyway that wouldn’t necessarily apply to two planes daily. I also wouldn’t be surprised if BA make further changes to the interim period from March 31 to April 19.

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

DollarBill wrote:

Hi,

Is it possible to avoid air passenger duty (ADP) tax if starting in Dublin and heading long haul east via LHR?

It’s an open jaw booking on a BA premium companion and it appears to be included. I understand that it is not applicable for the return leg. Do I need to ask the booking agent to remove it as I have strung together a “connecting” flight via LHR.

Appreciate any input as it’s my first 241 redemption.

Need more detail.

Is the ex UK flight more than 24 hours after the arrival from DUB for example?

All on the same booking or two separate ones? the fact you put connecting in in verted commas shows perhaps it is a separate one.

Th

[FFoxSake]

Amy C wrote:

Currently in Aspire lounge Belfast city. It’s lovely! Food and drink offerings are wonderful too. Only flew into Belfast this morning and am already leaving in a couple of hours. Wanted to do the Titanic Experience. Well worth it.

Agree on both counts.

Was in Aspire BHD yesterday waiting for a delayed flight home and it was a total pleasure. Spacious, clean, airy, food refreshed regularly and free pour for those that wanted it. A total contrast to the cramped, grubby, stuffy Aspire LHR T5 on the outward!

Titanic Belfast was an amazing experience there too. A very creatively designed space where the further you journeyed into it and thought you were probably nearing the end it surprised you yet again with another even more moving or dramatic display.

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

Lyn wrote:

Annie wrote:

I’ve received an email cancelling my flight in April from San Diego to LHR. It says they’ve booked me on the next available flight and I can accept or cancel.
Question is, how long do I have to either accept or cancel?
I called BA and he tried to tell me I couldn’t cancel as it was only 2 hours earlier but I know I can as it’s a different flight number.

I’m in the same position as you, Annie, and wondering whether to give things a little while to settle or just accept the change now so we can choose our seats and also make sure we are on the same flight as we have separate bookings, one revenue and one award.

As long as BA has put something in MMB as a rebooking option you don’t need to accept it at the moment. It’s merely an option BA have proposed to get you to your destination.

Selecting seats could be seen by BA as you accepting the change which would then preclude you moving onto a different flight that day or even changing the day or taking a refund.

[NorthernLass]

@DollarBill, you’ve posted the same question twice now!

[Amy C]

FFoxSake wrote:

Amy C wrote:

Currently in Aspire lounge Belfast city. It’s lovely! Food and drink offerings are wonderful too. Only flew into Belfast this morning and am already leaving in a couple of hours. Wanted to do the Titanic Experience. Well worth it.

Agree on both counts.

Was in Aspire BHD yesterday waiting for a delayed flight home and it was a total pleasure. Spacious, clean, airy, food refreshed regularly and free pour for those that wanted it. A total contrast to the cramped, grubby, stuffy Aspire LHR T5 on the outward!

Titanic Belfast was an amazing experience there too. A very creatively designed space where the further you journeyed into it and thought you were probably nearing the end it surprised you yet again with another even more moving or dramatic display.

I was in Galleries south this morn at lHR and I have to say it was fine. Spacious, calm, good food and drink. Not as lovely as this Aspire though. My flight home is also delayed 🙄.
The Titanic experience was indeed moving and quite (uncharacteristically) emotional for me. I welled up and started sniffing three times.

[Lyn]

As long as BA has put something in MMB as a rebooking option you don’t need to accept it at the moment. It’s merely an option BA have proposed to get you to your destination.

Selecting seats could be seen by BA as you accepting the change which would then preclude you moving onto a different flight that day or even changing the day or taking a refund.[/quote]

Thank you. We wouldn’t want to cancel, and it is still by far the best option on that date. I did wonder about requesting a change of date to April 20 and upgrading as J is now available on the “new” flight, but it seems risky as BA have lots of time between now and April to cancel the second flight if they can’t sell enough seats. The date we are booked still only has one flight, which feels safer as they are less likely to cancel that.

[Amy C]

NorthernLass wrote:

Amy C wrote:

Currently in Aspire lounge Belfast city. It’s lovely! Food and drink offerings are wonderful too. Only flew into Belfast this morning and am already leaving in a couple of hours. Wanted to do the Titanic Experience. Well worth it.

Hi @Amy, if you’re interested in Titanic-related stuff there’s a section of the excellent Maritime Museum in Liverpool dedicated to it. If you don’t know Liverpool, it’s a great place for a short break, loads to do.

Thanks NL, I did not know that. I’ve been to a few Titanic exhibitions in my time, one of the best was actually in Cape Town. I’ve only spent a day in Liverpool before and keep meaning to go back so that is a great reason, thanks for telling me.

[NorthernLass]

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/nostalgia/nine-links-between-liverpool-titanic-23677955

Titanic was registered in Liverpool and White Star Line had their head office there so there’s a deep connection that’s still very apparent today.

[Lumma]

chrism20 wrote:

Good morning, quick question.

I’m heading to Sunderland in a couple of weeks with work. Normally stay at the Garden Inn but notice there is a relatively new Holiday Inn there as well now.

Has anyone stayed there? Would be interested in thoughts as to which one is better.

Thanks

I’ve not stayed in either but the Holiday Inn is in the centre where the garden Inn is over by the stadium, although it’s only about 15 minutes walk from the city centre and closer to the beach. There’s also a relatively new Premier Inn in the centre if you’re not bothered about status or points

Personally if I was looking to book a hotel in Sunderland I’d book the Roker Hotel (Best Western). The seafront is actually pretty nice these days compared to the grim city centre

[zapato1060]

Cannot log into BAEC on mine or my families accounts? Anyone else?

Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again or contact us.

[strickers]

zapato1060 wrote:

Cannot log into BAEC on mine or my families accounts? Anyone else?

Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again or contact us.

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/poxy-ba-websites-stuffed-again/page/2/#post-540691

[DollarBill]

NorthernLass wrote:

@DollarBill, you’ve posted the same question twice now!

Apologies NorthernLass, I tried this morning on my phone and it didn’t post and now both have appeared. Possibly due to being a first time poster it may have been pending review.

[DollarBill]

BA Flyer IHG Stayer wrote:

DollarBill wrote:

Hi,

Is it possible to avoid air passenger duty (ADP) tax if starting in Dublin and heading long haul east via LHR?

It’s an open jaw booking on a BA premium companion and it appears to be included. I understand that it is not applicable for the return leg. Do I need to ask the booking agent to remove it as I have strung together a “connecting” flight via LHR.

Appreciate any input as it’s my first 241 redemption.

Need more detail.

Is the ex UK flight more than 24 hours after the arrival from DUB for example?

All on the same booking or two separate ones? the fact you put connecting in in verted commas shows perhaps it is a separate one.

Th

Thanks for the help, so the ex flight lands circa 3.5 hours before the LHR departure. It is all on the same booking for the 2-4-1 redemption as four separate flights.

I put connecting in commas as it is a slightly earlier flight from Dublin into LHR than appears in the options when you book the connecting flight. It is BA metal on both.

[chrism20]

Lumma wrote:

chrism20 wrote:

Good morning, quick question.

I’m heading to Sunderland in a couple of weeks with work. Normally stay at the Garden Inn but notice there is a relatively new Holiday Inn there as well now.

Has anyone stayed there? Would be interested in thoughts as to which one is better.

Thanks

I’ve not stayed in either but the Holiday Inn is in the centre where the garden Inn is over by the stadium, although it’s only about 15 minutes walk from the city centre and closer to the beach. There’s also a relatively new Premier Inn in the centre if you’re not bothered about status or points

Personally if I was looking to book a hotel in Sunderland I’d book the Roker Hotel (Best Western). The seafront is actually pretty nice these days compared to the grim city centre

Thanks, I’ll take a look at the Roker

[ross]

strickers wrote:

@ross Expert Flyer is showing 5 blocked seats and the two you are seeing free, it also concurs with @AJA that BA are willing to sell 2 more seats in J. 7D & 7K are blocked so you may have some luck moving around if BA don’t sell anymore seats. I wouldn’t worry too much at this stage.

Thanks @AJA and @strickers

@strickers I would be grateful for any updates on Expert Flyer please? Both of the available seats have now disappeared (I could not book them as they wee listed as held for carry cots). My wife now wants to execute me if we have to fly to Rio and not be in Club! Thanks.

[ross]

strickers wrote:

@ross Expert Flyer is showing 5 blocked seats and the two you are seeing free, it also concurs with @AJA that BA are willing to sell 2 more seats in J. 7D & 7K are blocked so you may have some luck moving around if BA don’t sell anymore seats. I wouldn’t worry too much at this stage.

AJA wrote:

@Ross I assume you’re flying on 21Sep? I just checked an BA is still selling 2 seats in Club (albeit for over £5k) but I’d second checking in. You won’t be able to check in until 24 hours before the flight and there is a remote possibility that you might already be allocated 2 seats together but I wouldn’t bank on it. It shouldn’t be that way as I believe 2 passengers on the same PNR should be seated next to each other but BA doesn’t seem to always do that.

Also be prepared for the possibility of being downgraded. I hope that doesn’t happen to you.

Thanks @AJA and @strickers

@strickers. Any updates on Expert Flyer please? Both of the available seats have disappeared (I could not book them as they wee listed as held for carry cots). My wife now wants to execute me if we have to fly to Rio and not be in Club!

[strickers]

@ross Showing J1 availability now with one seat free and one blocked. I’m assuming this is BA249 on the 21st. I’ll look again tomorrow afternoon if you remind me in the chat, driving to Heathrow myself in the morning for the afternoon flight to Vancouver. Mrs S would do the same yet several years ago she’d have been over the moon just to be travelling to Rio!

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

DollarBill wrote:

BA Flyer IHG Stayer wrote:

DollarBill wrote:

Hi,

Is it possible to avoid air passenger duty (ADP) tax if starting in Dublin and heading long haul east via LHR?

It’s an open jaw booking on a BA premium companion and it appears to be included. I understand that it is not applicable for the return leg. Do I need to ask the booking agent to remove it as I have strung together a “connecting” flight via LHR.

Appreciate any input as it’s my first 241 redemption.

Need more detail.

Is the ex UK flight more than 24 hours after the arrival from DUB for example?

All on the same booking or two separate ones? the fact you put connecting in in verted commas shows perhaps it is a separate one.

Th

Thanks for the help, so the ex flight lands circa 3.5 hours before the LHR departure. It is all on the same booking for the 2-4-1 redemption as four separate flights.

I put connecting in commas as it is a slightly earlier flight from Dublin into LHR than appears in the options when you book the connecting flight. It is BA metal on both.

What makes you think you’ve been charged APD? Have you checked the fare breakdown? It should be specifically listed if it has been charged.

[NorthernLass]

@DollarBill, see my answer on page 1 about the cabin class/es you’re trying to book.

[lesscleverandrew]

Mart16 wrote:

Hold the platinum card and have a hotel stay booked end of the month using the £200 hotel credit from recent sign up bonus hit.
Is there a need to hold the card when staying at the hotel booked through FHR to use the hotel credit? I want to cancel.
Thanks

I am in the same boat is I intend to cancel my Amex plat by the end of the month for the pro rata refund. However, from what I can see is this is not like a partner program where you technically have to show your card like Avis/Hertz etc for the booking.

As long as your booking is confirmed and Amex has given you the 200 account credit then that’s it.

[byronlewis]

Hello, any thoughts on a lack of ground handling staff being a reason for EU261 compensation? A group of us had a flight with Lufthansa from BHX to MUN last week at 7am. The previous night at around 10pm the cancellation came through via e-mail. This was picked up at 2am by one of the group and we then got on to Lufthansa. They rebooked us all on the the much later 1745pm flight, which we took as we had no other option.

Their response reads ‘The reason for the flight irregularity was Ground handling. Unfortunately we have no influence over circumstances, which are the responsibility of third parties. Such a flight irregularity does not warrant a claim for damages against Lufthansa. Please understand that we do not assume any liability for situations for which we are not responsible’

If they knew the night before, wouldn’t they have had overnight to sort this out? I assume they use agents at BHX??

Anyone had success with this sort of problem?

Thanks in advance!

[GaryE]

When my daughter went on holiday a few weeks back the baby buggy did not arrive with them and was delayed for 3 days. BA have been difficult to deal with, and saying she should claim on her travel insurance. She has pointed out that she has an excess of £100 and as it was BA fault (she has a delayed baggage reference etc) that BA should pay her for hire of the buggy and she has asked for some compensation for the inconvenience, plus time wasted at airport and arranging the buggy hire etc.

The buggy hire in itself was not expensive 30euros but what is reasonable and what is BA likely to pay (if anything) for the delay and inconvenience for the three days. Has anyone got similar experience or a figure that might get through with BA?

BA have said they want to sort this out asap, and have asked for her bank details if they agree a payment, but want to make sure she doesn’t short change herself with any claim amount for compensation.