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Hi all, I have some very sad news from one of my travel buddies, she has just been diagnosed with an aggressive form of the big C, I cannot even find it in my heart to say the word.
We are due to fly to JFK and spend 5 nights in the Sheraton hotel, this has been booked cancelled and rebooked because of covid 3 or 4 times now.
Clearly she said to me today that she doesn’t think she will be able to do the trip.
I am gutted, but really apart from waffling on I wanted to know if BA have or can do anything on compassion grounds.
It’s a standard holiday for 5 nights for the double tier points and I have upgraded with avios to business class. We fly of the 23rd March.
Any good ideas or suggestions would be great fully received. I’m not really sure what she can do if I just go can she claim will BA give back avios charge for cancelling or who whould be the best team to call.
Thanks guys.
Wing it One World
I am very sorry to hear this news and I wish your friend the best.
This is really one for travel insurance, if she has any policies (check bank accounts and credit cards)
Otherwise it’s worth a go on the phone with BA holidays, you’d definitely get back the Avios used to upgrade and some taxes. BA itself does have some medical policies that would allow travel to be postponed.
Also very sorry to hear this. I agree that insurance is going to be the main remedy, unless the friend has exclusions for certain conditions. I’m assuming the full balance has been paid? You don’t say whether the trip is on one or separate bookings but there may be the option of getting a voucher that one or both of you could hopefully use at a future date.
Marriott hotels booked through BA holidays are normally booked via a direct link to marriot in most occasions, Marriott properties booked like this will not charge the supplier if cancelled outside 48 hrs. I’m pretty sure that a supplier (or holiday company) cannot then enforce a charge to you. You could email the ceo of BA holidays (contact details on ceo email) explain the situation and see what can be done.
BA can be compassionate in these situations. As this is a holiday you need to contact BA Holidays and discuss it with them.
Have you decided whether you still want to go or not? If you do is there anyone else who wants to go with you? BA holidays have different rules on name changes that flight only doesn’t have for example. Going on your own is also relatively easy for BA holidays to change.
They also have different rules on date changes as well.
As already raised has just a deposit been paid or has the full balance? If the former and given this trip has been postponed already you are likely on the pay the balance 3 weeks before travel rules so you have a couple of days to decide what you want to do before contacting them.
There will be a certain amount of paper work required by both BA and potentially insurance company. Insurance would expect you to have approached BA first in any case for refunds etc.
The Avios upgrade should be easily rewound and refunded.
Sorry to hear about your friend.
When I was diagnosed with a pretty serious health issue a few years ago that meant I needed surgery and travel became much more complex as a result, I had a similar dilemma regarding an upcoming transatlantic flight. I phoned BA and told them, they were very kind and offered me a full refund. No need to involve any form of insurance, and I was very grateful. It wasn’t a holiday booking so the policies might be different, but from experience I’d definitely say it’s worth a go dealing with them directly first. Hopefully they’ll be similarly flexible in your scenario and are able to help out with your ideal outcome for this trip. Good luck!
Hello all who replied, I just wanted to say thank you. I attempted to get hold of BA Holidays this morning, I called at 08:01 and was through using the standard number at 08:15.
I spoke with a very kind agent called Tom, he was to be fair out bloody standing.
He has arrange a grace period and has allowed all possible options to still be completed even though it’s passed cut off dates, he has arranged a callback after my friend has been to the Marsden and spoken with her consultant. So far BA have been very compassionate, and without doubt this has restored my fair in BA.
Thank you once again.
Wing It One World
Thanks for the update, that is great to hear. Best wishes to you and your friend.
That’s great news given the hellish news of the big C. BA can be fantastic in cases like this. Well done Tom at BA Holidays. He deserves recognition for outstanding customer service.
Best wishes to you and especially your friend and hopefully she has as painless as possible treatment in the next few weeks. Tough times ahead so a holiday in New York later this year may just be the antidote you both need.
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