BA gave me the shaft

In September of last year, wanting to make sure of dates and
times, I booked and paid for two round trip tickets: Atlanta-Venice, Italy,
starting April 30. The ticket came, of course, with the stipulation that I
could not make any changes. I proceeded to make rather complex plans.

Yesterday, five full months later, I got a terse notice from BA
telling me that my schedule had been changed - I now get into Venice
several hours later than planned, and on the return have to leave a day
early and spend a night in Gatwick.

There was no explanation, no details, no apology. The notice did
not even directly mention the overnight delay.

Calls to BA have gotten the return flight adjusted to account for
my plans in Venice, but still require a night's delay in Gatwick and get me
back to Atlanta a day late. And BA tells me that I am responsible for paying
for and arranging the overnight accommodations.

The BA agent with whom I finally spoke said it is "not BA's
fault." Why do they impose a penalty on me if I want to make a change, even
when it is not my "fault," but BA can run roughshod over me, and coldly
dismiss my complaint?

Note: Upon receiving the notice I immediately called BA. The man who
first answered took the information, told me that he had my phone number,
and would call back. 20 hours later he had not.



R. J. Fusillo

Atlanta

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 21:44:48 +0000, Bob Fusillo wrote:

There was no explanation, no details, no apology. The notice did
not even directly mention the overnight delay.

Calls to BA have gotten the return flight adjusted to account for
my plans in Venice, but still require a night's delay in Gatwick and get me
back to Atlanta a day late. And BA tells me that I am responsible for paying
for and arranging the overnight accommodations.

The BA agent with whom I finally spoke said it is "not BA's
fault." Why do they impose a penalty on me if I want to make a change, even
when it is not my "fault," but BA can run roughshod over me, and coldly
dismiss my complaint?

How is not "BA's fault?"

It does sound fair that if they expect you to make no change, they should
be bound by a similar requirement. Although the CoCs might state
differently, you might well have a case, should you decide to take them to
court. Incidentally, the amounts involved should be low enough for small
claims. Assuming that your local court accepts it has jurisdiction (the
CofCs possibly stating otherwise). Still, one would think if they sell
tickets in the US, they must accept jurisdiction in the US?