F to J downgrade on QR redemption flight booked via BA

[VerdantBacon]

I booked an Avios redemption from LHR to BKK via DOH for 2 pax via BAEC

LHR to DOH in J (QSuites)
DOH to BKK in F
Points cost – 191,000

Today I’ve been informed that the DOH to BKK leg has been downgraded from F to J.

I’m struggling to see if the reason for the downgrade is due to an equipment change meaning a different 777 variant is flying and potentially there is no F and only QSuites

Am I still entitled to 75% downgrade compo if it’s due to equipment change where the plane no longer has F? Is QSuites treated differently in terms of F to J downgrade?

Will BA push back on the compo given that the flight is actually operated by QR?

[NorthernLass]

There have been lots of reports of QR doing this. As it’s not a BA flight, they will just refer you to QR, who will very likely refuse any kind of compensation, given the experiences logged on this site. I don’t think the 75% downgrade compo would necessarily apply here because the downgrade is on the DOH-BKK leg, although you might be able to claim that technically the trip starts in the UK if it’s all on one booking.

Someone even posted that QR wouldn’t even offer the difference in avios on a downgrade and said that the only option was to cancel, so I suspect you’ll have a fight on your hands to get anything. I think there’s a separate thread somewhere.

[meta]

First of all, is it on one ticket or separate tickets?
If on one ticket, then you’re entitled to 75% of the downgraded leg this is because for EC261 purposes the flight is considered as LHR-BKK, not as separate as ruled on by ECJ pre-Brexit.

Operating carrier is responsible so your first point of contact is QR. However, if they refuse and refer you to BA, I would send an LBA to both and put both on any MCOL claim. If they can’t agree amongst themselves, the judge will make them if it comes to a hearing.

Also you need to fly before you can claim!

[Matt]

BA should be willing and able to refund you the fare difference in Avios, but they won’t (and don’t have to) pay 75% reimbursement, and QR will almost certainly refuse to.

[JDB]

As above, your Article 10 downgrade reimbursement (75% of the real fare for that sector) only comes into play after you have travelled.

It’s an added complication when booked via BA, but QR is responsible as the operating carrier. There is a further difficulty in that, at some point, you will need to accept the change (or rebook in F on a different flight) and BA will reissue your ticket and refund the difference. Although this refund should make absolutely no difference to any eventual post travel claim, as a practical matter it does. It’s difficult dealing with QR via BA but if you over push the issue with QR, their response can eventually be – so sorry you are unhappy and therefore want to cancel, but we have done this for you free of charge.

[VerdantBacon]

Sorry forgot to mention that yes it is all one ticket.

Thanks for the advice, I had suspected that QR via BA would complicate matters.

I’ll accept the flight change, fly the actual trip and then make attempts at any compensation after the trip, though I wont hold my breath!

[meta]

Just make sure that you have written proof of downgrade and that you involuntarily accepted it. Simply short email should suffice.

Edit: As the other thread reminded me, as per Article 10 the airline must pay downgrade compensation within seven days of the flight.

[VerdantBacon]

meta wrote:

Just make sure that you have written proof of downgrade and that you involuntarily accepted it. Simply short email should suffice.

Edit: As the other thread reminded me, as per Article 10 the airline must pay downgrade compensation within seven days of the flight.

Thanks, I’ll make sure I have written proof of invol acceptance of the downgrade

[Lady London]

And just to keep things clear and not give away any rights, deal with it with QR after flying, bring BA and QR as co- addressees/co-defendants into any ensuing LBA/MCOL process if QR doesn’t pay, but in the meantime do not ask for and do not accept any refund of class difference from BA whether avios or more.

[meta]

This will be very difficult. BA will automatically issue a refund of the difference or a few months down the line depending on when the flight is. This is why I suggested written evidence of invol downgrade.