Changing a non-changeable/non-refundable BA flight?? Suggestions?

balsingh

I am booked a on BA non-changeable/non-refundable flight from Lisbon- London in June. The flight is an afternoon flight but I want to try and change it for the morning flight on the same day. I called BA and they said that my only option is to book another ticket on the mornign flight. Is that my only option? I asked if I could turn up for the mornign flight and try and get on it if its not full. They suggested that I shoudlnt do it but it might work. They wouldnt give me a more definitive answer. Has anyone successfully managed that or I am stuck with the afternoon flight?

Becles

If you find out, I'd like to know!

I've got a similar problem as I've booked an evening Gatwick to Newcastle flight and want to change it to the lunchtime one, as my other flight has been changed to a few hours earlier.

I was told as we'll be in the airport anyway to ask at the check in desk if we can go on the lunchtime flight, but it depends on space being available, and it's at the discretion of whoever is manning the check in desk that day.

saveapenny

try ringing the airport and speaking to the BA desk they will know if its allowed or not
But dont hold your breath...the only other option is to upgrade your ticket to a fully flexiable one but this might cost more than re booking but worth a try

alison74

From my experience, you are stuck with it, but turning up for the earlier flight MAY work. A trip of mine was cut short and I had flights booked for LHR - EDI on a certain day and wanted to fly the day before on ANY flight to Edinburgh, not even a peak business one. The woman at BA said because I hadn't bought a flexi ticket, I was stuck and had to buy a new one. There was plenty of space on the flight I wanted.

cherry_snaps

Hi,

I had no joy with BA on this matter, Although i thought BA being more customer focussed than low cost airlines would, but there was no joy!!!

balsingh

When I arrive in Lisbon, I will chat to the BA desk there.

Bob63

Pay less money for a regular ticket by buying a non changeable, non refundable ticket and what you actually get is a non changeable, non refundable ticket. That means the ticket is non changeable and non refundable so you can't change it or get a refund. Clear?

If I am flying and I know that I might want to change the ticket then I pay a little more to get a ticket that can be changed either via a small change fee e.g. £50 or for free - but the latter tend to be very expensive.

If you turn up and they allow you to fly on the earlier flight you will be very very lucky indeed. However, I wouldn't get too upset if you don't because what you have is a non changeable, non refundable ticket. Essentially you will have got exactly what you paid for.

Mike

blindman

Might be worth looking for the answer here on Flyertalk.

If you register (free) you can ask the specific question.

I think any change would be down to the mood of the check-in personnel on the day.

jh2004

I was booked on BA Manchester to Paris, but aimed to get in 4 hours earlier, and get on earlier flight.

i went to the check in, pleaded my case, they said no as there were no seats, so i went round to their customer services.

Customer services then said that there was 1 seat, and as i only had hand luggage i could get it. the flight was due to take off in 1 1/2 hrs, so i still had plenty of time, and they werent just rushing me through.

so i suppose that if you try to ring you have no chance, and it depends on the person in customer services, not check in.
hope this helps
jh

pin

I had no joy with BA on this matter, Although i thought BA being more customer focussed than low cost airlines would, but there was no joy!!!

Sorry, but if you buy a non-refundable / non-changeable ticket, what do you expect? The terms of the ticket is pretty clear on what you can / can't do, namely can't change flight times, dates destinations and can't get a refund. Why should BA bend over just for you, if it is clear as water over what you can and can't do with your ticket?

saver6

cherry_snaps wrote:

I had no joy with BA on this matter, Although i thought BA being more customer focussed than low cost airlines would, but there was no joy!!!

I'm always of the mind that if you've paid the prices you have for a quality (?) airline, and there are seats available, why not be able to get that flight? For some of the low budget airlines I've flown with, on the one or two instances where I had to change my flight for one reason or another, as there were seats free, I was told there was no problem with that.

Budget airlines = will accomodate you if there's space
Traditional airlines = will be happy to waste money by having the plane flying with empty seats rather than admit you on board