[pdwtrip]

Similar problems with BA earlier in the year – flight cancelled – refused to re book with Qatar – there was availability.
Insisted on delaying the trip – spoke to a supervisor who explained that I was incorrect in expecting to be rebooked on the next available Qatar flight. I explained it was a legal requirement. He said that he hadn’t been trained in all the legal issues!
Basically they are just trying to deal with any situation in the cheapest way possible and figure the majority of passengers (Customers!) will just go with it and the few that go legal still mean they save money.
There would seem to be no accountability and no sign of it changing.

[pdwtrip]

Likewise, same thing happened on last weeks flights both to and from Paris. Had booked emergency exit seat outbound, checked day before – had been moved to a row behind. Moved myself back.
Checked in and had been moved back again; emergency exit had all gone – 10 minutes after check in opened.
On return flight – same thing again – night before check in seat had been moved from emergency exit; I moved it back.
On check in seat moved rearwards and emergency exit all gone – 5 minutes after check in opened.
I am 6 foot 3 so prefer emergency exit to club as get better leg room.
I am silver.
There was no equipment change.
There is something strange going on here – this has never happened before.

[pdwtrip]

Really appreciate the last batch of postings, great to have some professionals looking at the issues that regularly frustrate us.

[pdwtrip]

Have let mine lapse as mainly Marriott stays recently. Will be staying in November at IHG properties.
Question if I book those stays now but do not renew until some months later will my benefits still apply to bookings made before I have joined the program?
Any thoughts.

[pdwtrip]

Exactly same situation here. 241 First flight cancelled by email. Rang and asked to be moved to F with Qatar, which is the UK/EU 261 requirement. Told not possible as no Avios seats available. This is not relevant – BA’s responsibility is to move you to the same service that you booked with an alternative carrier (details actually available via a link on the email cancelling the flight!).
Escalated to Customer Service Specialist who explained due to plane changes this sometimes happens.
I explained that I had checked the flight and it was a 777 with First.
I asked to be moved to Qatar and he explained that is not an option as my flight “had not been cancelled”!!
I explained that the email was clear -“Cancelled”!
I explained that there was a link on the email that leads to a page on BAs website making it clear that I should be rebooked in F with alternative carrier.
“I am not familiar with all of the pages on our website”!
He said that there was an internal communication problem and it was something he would have to address.
I asked if he was familiar with BA responsibilities under UK/EU 261 – he said ” There is lots of legislation for travel and I am not familiar with all of it”.
Gave up at this stage as the CSS was trained to block any chance of BA undertaking their responsibility – we had Schrodinger’s flight – cancelled and not cancelled at the same time!
I have now moved to Club seats on the same flight and have an email with the downgraded details.
Again under UK/EU 261 after flying we should receive compensation of 75% of the original fare.
I can already hear that conversation “No you were not downgraded – the flight was cancelled”
This must be part of the CSS training.
Sorry for the long post – but I share your frustration.