British Airways refusing to refund me

a.ferra

In June I purchased flights to take my daughter to New York for her birthday.
In August of this year a family court judge made an order refusing contact with me during October half term and that she must be with her dad.
I have contacted BA and explained that I can no longer take her due to the court order and that I can not change the dates of travel as there isn't another half term break that I am allowed to have her long enough.
BA are refusing to refund me stating they can only refund for genuine illness.
I've explained that this is a court order from a judge and that if I take the flights I could lose custody of my child.
BA are not interested and are refusing to refund me.
Can anyone assist me please?

theonlywayisup

Presumably these are non refundable tickets? If so, then a change is the most you could hope for - what about full term holidays rather than half term?

a.ferra wrote: »

I've explained that this is a court order from a judge and that if I take the flights I could lose custody of my child.

I think the less said about that particular comment the better.

George_Michael

If as it sounds, it's a non refundable ticket that you purchased then BA are totally within their rights to refuse to refund you in full.
If you cancel you will be entitled to some money back from the taxes paid but if BA charge an administration fee for processing the refund, this may eat up some or all of the tax refund.

a.ferra

I've already explained that I can't change the tickets as this was for her birthday which is in October.

There must be something I can do as this is out of my control?

George_Michael

a.ferra wrote: »

There must be something I can do as this is out of my control?

Apart from explaining to BA again and relying on their goodwill, I'm afraid not.
Non refundable/non exchangeable tickets are far lower in price than changeable tickets for the simple reason that they have far more restrictions placed on them than higher fare tickets.
The reason for not going being outside of your control in itself isn't a valid reason for BA having to allow a cancellation.

CakeCrusader

Your solicitor should have advised against booking anything until you knew the outcome of the hearing. This isn't BA's fault, I'm sorry. Are you able to re-sell them? A change of name may be cheaper then losing the cost of the flights.

stripeyfox

If the flights were booked as "non refundable" with BA (which they always have been when I've booked them) then that is exactly what they are - regardless of the reasons for you not being able to travel.

I think you should get some of the taxes back though if you cancel.

JJ_Egan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6054588/help-groupon-are-refusing-to-refund-me

Paul_DNAP

a.ferra wrote: »

I've already explained that I can't change the tickets as this was for her birthday which is in October.

There must be something I can do as this is out of my control?

I can understand that it is out of your control, but it is even more out of BA's control, apart from appealing for some goodwill gesture then they are perfectly allowed to stick to their non-refundable clause.

davidmcn

a.ferra wrote: »

There must be something I can do as this is out of my control?

It's hardly in BA's control, is it? If you want cover against unexpectedly having to cancel travel then you get insurance - though I doubt you could have easily got insurance against the outcome of your court case.

KatrinaWaves

You can still go. Either go on your own, take a friend (ask them to pay for the name change? Or the whole thing!)