Flight on hold for medical reasons, rebooking query

[tobynow]

One of my family needs an operation and BA have been very understanding and put our future bookings on hold while they recover. This has all been a big shock to us and I cannot fault how kind, understanding and efficient BA have been.

We are starting to plan how we can get back to our plans should the surgery go well and I have a quick question.

I’m told the flights are on hold for a year from the booking date, our flights were to Corfu to fly in August, booked in December 2024.

The problem I’ve got is we are unlikely to be able to fly until late autumn/winter and I can’t find any flights to Corfu with BA in the winter and we’re unlike

So, I was wondering, does anyone know if there is any flexibility to move the flights to another airport nearby? I think a winter break to Greece might be a nice way of getting back on the road.

Thanks in advance

[AJA]

I am glad BA has helped you put your bookings on hold and I hope your family member recovers quickly. It must be very stressful dealing with all that.

Unfortunately the reason you can’t see flights to Corfu is that it is a seasonal route and I believe last flights to and from Corfu are on 25 October 2025. You may have the same issue with other destinations in Greece.

You don’t mention whether your reservations are cash or reward flights. I am pretty sure BA will allow you to change destination. Realistically you should expect to pay any fare difference and potentially extra taxes if it is a cash fare. For reward flights it is more straightforward except you will need to find destinations with reward availability and may have to pay extra Avios if you fly to a different zone. BA may waive the admin fee to make changes.

Take a look here at timetables for BA – you can search for other places within Greece. If you try dates after 26 October and get an error message it is likely you have chosen a summer seasonal route.
https://www.britishairways.com/travel/schedules/public/en_gb

[tobynow]

Thanks AJA. Very helpful.

They’re Avios tickets for a family of 4. Perhaps I should have cancelled them and paid the £35/person fee. Oh dear!

I’ll explore that link and see what else we can find, then give them a call and see what what options we have.

Thanks

[Paul]

I was in exactly the same situation a year ago. Yes BA were sympathetic and made me the same offer. In my case they said no to any change of route and that there must be Avios availability on my chosen dates. In the end I simply swallowed the fees and cancelled.

Its a nice touch and might work for short haul but I suspect it is pretty useless as a long haul benefit.

[tobynow]

Thanks Paul, that’s helpful.

[Ihar]

I’d hope they’d be sympathetic if the route isn’t operating (so you can’t re-book). As others have hinted, if you can find Avios availability for different flights, call and ask them to waive the cancellation fee (and then it’s treated as a new booking). Otherwise you could claim the £140 back on travel insurance, though maybe not worth it once you consider the excess and renewal increase.

On that note, don’t forget to tell your insurance company about the surgery.