BA "best fares" not cheapest

blackanchorage

A warning about booking flights through the BA website:

I bought tickets for my family for a single leg trip. I did this by choosing the "Search for best fares" option, and buying the single flight it offered.

However, I later noticed that if I'd chosen the "Search for specific flights" option, I could have selected one of two other flights that were cheaper. In fact the "best fare" was the most expensive for the day!

I've requested a refund - will report what happens.

Regards, Roger

WiseInvestor_2

This is worrying as it underlines the purpose of their website - to always offer the cheapest price available.

I've looked at ba.com but I can't find the search options you mention - I can only see a big red GET FLIGHTS option on the front page. Can you explain how/where you found this disparity?

chalky_bertie

WiseInvestor wrote:

This is worrying as it underlines the purpose of their website - to always offer the cheapest price available.

I've looked at ba.com but I can't find the search options you mention - I can only see a big red GET FLIGHTS option on the front page. Can you explain how/where you found this disparity?

I think there is an option for this after you put in your dates / airports. This has only come up a few times for me mainly when I am looking at fares / flights to / from Amsterdam / Faro if I am trying to get cheap fares by starting the journey somewhere else if I am making sense. However to my knowledge there is no specific option for "search for best fares" on the BA home page.

richardw

Go to https://www.ba.com and click on 'Book one way and multi-city' you then enter your details. If there is more than one flight then they ask display results by by schedule or best fares. Not sure why they do this. I'd just list by schedule and have the price which would make things simple and clear.

blackanchorage

As richardw suggested, this was for a one way from Durban to Johannesburg, on 6 January, for three adults and a child. I think the problem is still there.

Thanks, Roger

blackanchorage

BA have acknowledged the problem and reported to their technical team. They have offered to refund the tickets so that I can book the cheaper flight.

Regards, Roger

Murphy_The_Cat

blackanchorage wrote:

BA have acknowledged the problem and reported to their technical team. They have offered to refund the tickets so that I can book the cheaper flight.

Regards, Roger

In my book thats good customer service and a satisfactory outcome - well done you for contacting BA and not just moaning about it.

A result :beer:

MTC

withabix

BA are quite good on customer service - after all, that's what you pay some of the extra for!

When I used to fly a lot of domestic with BA last year, they even used to change cheapest (non-changeable) economy tickets sometimes!