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Can I get some advice please?
We are travelling MAN – LHR – MIA in a couple of weeks on an Avios booking. We have 2.5 hours to make our connection in LHR*** but due to the issues at MAN, I called up today to move the outbound MAN-LHR leg.
Our options are:
1) There is NO Avios availability for any MAN – LHR flights on 15/16 April. Cash fares are incredible! £429pp for Economy Plus or £613pp for Club.
2) I then asked the agent to explore removing the MAN – LHR leg – we could then make our own way to Heathrow. However, as the original booking was made before the recent increase in taxes & charges, BA wanted to charge us an additional £318 for REMOVING a flight.
3) Do nothing and pray that we make the connection. If not, then we will get rebooked on the flight the next day (I can’t see any other viable LHR-MIA route on the 16th)To be honest, I’m just a bit flabbergasted that there isn’t a simple, common sense approach.
Any thoughts or guidance would be appreciated.
*** I have checked actual departure times for the MAN – LHR leg and we would have missed our MIA flight in 3 out of the last 7 days due to delays/cancellations.
- This topic was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .
If you miss the connection because of delay then EU261 kicks in. You can then be re-routed on any airline and if you arrive more than 4hrs late to MIA you get £520 per person. Plus if you have to overnight at Heathrow all costs paid – accommodation plus three meals (no alcohol) and two phone calls or internet.
Potentially BA could put you on a 1 stop from LHR via JFK or BOS in the evening if you miss your connection.
Still struggling to believe you expect simple and common sense from BA 😉
I’m assuming that the BA call handlers in overseas call centres don’t really understand the issues on the ground atm. I’m not surprised at availability/cost issues as you are travelling over Easter weekend. Remember EU/UK261 will only apply if your flight is delayed or cancelled, not if you miss your departure due to the chaos at airports. It’s unclear who, if anyone, has liability in this instance.
Have an alternative itinerary to put to BA – they will try their best not to put you on another carrier but WILL pay for a taxi to LHR if it’s BA’s fault you miss your flight.Are you genuinely complaining that it’s sometimes cheaper to fly from a regional airline via Heathrow than direct from Heathrow?
It’s something I embrace and enjoy! I’ve saved £000’s over the years by visiting my parents in Scotland and flying EDI-LHR-USA instead of direct from LHR.
I’ve even flown from Glasgow when it’s cheaper than Edinburgh.
This is entirely expected and within reasonable practice. If you want to change an itinerary outside of an involuntary cancellation, it will be subject to a reprice whether it is an Avios or cash booking.
Personally think you should take a chill pill – if you miss your flight due to issues at Manchester, you will get a paid night in a hotel at Heathrow and be put on the next available flight.
Keep an eye on your booking – until yesterday BA did have a “no nonsense” change policy allowing flights to be shifted +/- 14 days. If your booking goes red without being crossed out or a warning about disruption then you can try changing online or call in and they’ll be able to do it
I’m never able to make online changes when I’ve got a domestic connection, I think it’s one of those BA IT anomalies. Rather than try and get through to BA on the phone, I would go to the departure airport and find someone to speak to face to face.
I think they make it up tax wise as they go along. They tried to charge me £300 extra in tax for one US flight. I stood my ground and they reduced it to 100 then 0.
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