Waiting on Mid july BA flight cancellations to USA

LostViking

AlexMac said:

My successful experience with BA may not be wholly relevant, as my booking (out 8th June, returning 4 days later) was to a European destination, but I was very happy with BA's and their timescales.  They sent us an automated email just over six weeks before travel,  advising cancellation (bizarrely they sent this not to me as lead passenger, but to my spouse who was on the same booking) "...We will be in contact with you to discuss your options. If you'd like to contact us in the meantime, please call GB +44 (0) 344 493 0787..."

I did nothing. Then, a few weeks later, and three and a half weeks prior to the original planned flight date they sent another email, to me this time.  This said " We are currently receiving exceptionally high call volumes and are very sorry if you have been unable to reach us by phone to discuss your options. To prevent the need for you to contact us, we will be cancelling your British Airways Holidays itinerary and processing a full refund. This will be returned to your original payment card within the next 7 - 10 days". The refund hit my credit card the very next day. 

I know the email referred to "holiday" but we'd booked flights only- so not a bonded "package", paying only a £150 deposit.  The irony was, as a further £250-odd payment was due before flying, I'd tried online for a voucher (which I'd have been happy with) a few weeks prior, at a time when they were reportedly making it difficult to claim cash refunds by forcing passengers to ring in to swamped call centres.  Their software later bounced my request back as "unrecognised"?   So it was win-win for me (although a trip to Spain would have been nice, and we will go again post-COVID!)

So if it was me, I'd do nothing, wait a few more weeks in the hope that they will cancel, and see what they say.  Meanwhile I'd keep an eye on FCO advice to travellers; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa

Thank you for posting the above!

I booked a flight to the USA back in the start of October for 4 people including 3 weeks car hire (so ATOL protected), our flight was due to leave 4th of July (BA213 Heathrow to Boston) and was cancelled 2nd of June, with a similar email to yours. I tried to call BA today, but due to my choices was disconnected due to them being busy. (note the if you call the 0344.. number they ask you to redial 0800 727 800 instead, but as said, did not help due to them being busy).

I hope I will get a similar full refund (I paid in full back in Oct) for the whole trip (approx £4K) as you did, so will sit tight for now and hope I get an automatic refund as I now need the money more than they do.

freakin

LostViking said:

AlexMac said:

My successful experience with BA may not be wholly relevant, as my booking (out 8th June, returning 4 days later) was to a European destination, but I was very happy with BA's and their timescales.  They sent us an automated email just over six weeks before travel,  advising cancellation (bizarrely they sent this not to me as lead passenger, but to my spouse who was on the same booking) "...We will be in contact with you to discuss your options. If you'd like to contact us in the meantime, please call GB +44 (0) 344 493 0787..."

I did nothing. Then, a few weeks later, and three and a half weeks prior to the original planned flight date they sent another email, to me this time.  This said " We are currently receiving exceptionally high call volumes and are very sorry if you have been unable to reach us by phone to discuss your options. To prevent the need for you to contact us, we will be cancelling your British Airways Holidays itinerary and processing a full refund. This will be returned to your original payment card within the next 7 - 10 days". The refund hit my credit card the very next day. 

I know the email referred to "holiday" but we'd booked flights only- so not a bonded "package", paying only a £150 deposit.  The irony was, as a further £250-odd payment was due before flying, I'd tried online for a voucher (which I'd have been happy with) a few weeks prior, at a time when they were reportedly making it difficult to claim cash refunds by forcing passengers to ring in to swamped call centres.  Their software later bounced my request back as "unrecognised"?   So it was win-win for me (although a trip to Spain would have been nice, and we will go again post-COVID!)

So if it was me, I'd do nothing, wait a few more weeks in the hope that they will cancel, and see what they say.  Meanwhile I'd keep an eye on FCO advice to travellers; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa

Thank you for posting the above!

I booked a flight to the USA back in the start of October for 4 people including 3 weeks car hire (so ATOL protected), our flight was due to leave 4th of July (BA213 Heathrow to Boston) and was cancelled 2nd of June, with a similar email to yours. I tried to call BA today, but due to my choices was disconnected due to them being busy. (note the if you call the 0344.. number they ask you to redial 0800 727 800 instead, but as said, did not help due to them being busy).

I hope I will get a similar full refund (I paid in full back in Oct) for the whole trip (approx £4K) as you did, so will sit tight for now and hope I get an automatic refund as I now need the money more than they do.

I wouldn't wait, get back on that phone, if they go into administration you're unlikely to get anything. Cash is King as they say, do everything you can to get it back into your bank asap.