'British Airways & Virgin Reclaiming?' Blog discussion

Glosman_2

I got in contact with BA as soon as the news broke, asking for my money back.
Their reply is below.
"
Thank you for your email requesting compensation in respect of the fuel surcharge element of your ticket price.
British Airways has agreed to pay a combined sum of £270 million, which comprises £121.5 million to the UK Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and a total fine of $300 million (£145 million) to the USA Department of Justice (DoJ) as a result of a breach in competition law.
We deeply regret that anti competitive activity took place. The activity in respect of fuel surcharges was between a limited number of individuals in our company and individuals at Virgin Atlantic. The conduct of these individuals is totally unacceptable and inexcusable.
However, we have been punished by the imposition of severe penalties on us by the UK OFT and the USA DoJ. We recognise that their actions resulted in British Airways failing to meet the high standards that you are entitled to expect from us, for which we sincerely apologise.
Fuel surcharges are a legitimate way of recovering the cost of fuel. The UK OFT has confirmed that they are not themselves anti-competitive. The fuel surcharge charged on passenger tickets has never fully recovered the actual cost of fuel to the company of transporting each passenger. Therefore, we do not believe that you were overcharged as a result of the imposition of, or any increases in, this element of your ticket price.
I hope that this explanation clarifies our position and goes someway to restoring your faith in British Airways.
Regards
Shrutika
British Airways"

I did not like this resonse and I threaten consumer group action. They have promised to review it again. I'll let you know how I get on.

Absoluutbeginner

Glosman wrote: »

Fuel surcharges are a legitimate way of recovering the cost of fuel. The UK OFT has confirmed that they are not themselves anti-competitive. The fuel surcharge charged on passenger tickets has never fully recovered the actual cost of fuel to the company of transporting each passenger. Therefore, we do not believe that you were overcharged as a result of the imposition of, or any increases in, this element of your ticket price.

(The first part of that statement is a quote from Willie Walsh, chief exec of BA.) The actual fuel price is not the issue here, surely it's the fact that the money was obtained from us illegally. BA were fined for colluding with Virgin over the surcharge, thus breaching competition laws.

I too, will be emailing BA tonight, and will post their reply here.

Funnily enough, I am travelling with them to Malaga at the end of the month! Can't say I have ever had issues with their service, apart from a damaged suitcase which they replaced without question.

Absoluutbeginner

Received a reply this morning, and guess what, word-for-word the same as Glosman's. I think they are being computer-generated from India as the signature is also similar to Glosman's. Also it's a bit too early for BA's offices to be open, sent at 07:16:11 UK time!

I had particularly asked them not to send the standard fob-off letter, to enter into a sincere dialogue with me about the matter, so I wonder if they even read my letter. I have replied to this effect and hinted at Court Action. Wonder what they will say. :rolleyes:

eddyshoestring

My wife and I flew to San Franciso on 27th December 2006 with Virgin Atlantic and by some forgetful fluke I still have the Passenger receipt which shows the XT "Tax/Fee /Charge" ......can anybody suggest to whom I might write and open a dialoge at Virgin, never know might just get a different reply version!!

snake_snake

We need to be given exact start dates from WHEN we can ask these disgusting cartel airlines for our money back. If we have taken flights in the last 5 years, from which dates can we ask for a refund, and by how much in general?

Also, does this apply to all worldwide destinations, ie BA tickets purchased for round the world travel on their scummy partner qantas? since they collect the revenue etc?
Thanks

Glosman_2

Hi All,

Well I got a follow up reply from BA but it's just a 28 day stalling tactic.

Quote
Thank you for contacting us.I wanted to let you know your enquiry has reached us safely. A high number of customers are contacting us during this busy summer period, so it may take up to 28 days for us to reply.Please be assured a member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible. Thanks again for your email – we appreciate your patience.
Best regards
Jayashree Kodi
British Airways Customer Relations
Unquote

Absoluutbeginner

Glosman wrote: »

Jayashree Kodi
British Airways Customer Relations

Yep, these are definitely being churned out from India.

churchmouse_3

I guess mr Walsh is not residing in India so if you address the next letter to Mr Walsh and add private and confidential or even send registered mail then you might actually get an actual load of steer manure from the top man! Mind you he may be lost somewhere in the unclaimed baggage mountain.
Why BA are moaning at a few protesters is beyond me they cannot disrupt an already chaotic useless company, they will just use it as an excuse to cover up their inadequcies so go on guys get your fuel tax back !!!!!!!

Absoluutbeginner

Good idea, perhaps sending by recorded mail is best. This is the address from the BA website.
"Postal Address (Head Office) is:
British Airways plc,
Waterside,
PO Box 365,
Harmondsworth,
UB7 0GB.
Please indicate which department/person you are directing your letter to."

Absoluutbeginner

sorry, duplicated message