Booked before 3rd March with BA?

Kernowanya

Hi everyone, 
Looking for some advice. We booked flights to Japan with British Airways back in January for 2 weeks in October (5th - 19th). Now obviously we had no idea this pandemic was going to take hold and ruin everyones holidays/summer/lives! The way things stand it looks unlikely Japan will reopen to foreign travel and if it does with quarantine rules that may be in place we would like to postpone our holiday to 2021/22. The issue we have is because we booked before the 3rd march we will be subject to a change fee of £150 each to change our flights.
 I think this is highly unfair as we booked in good faith and unknowing of what was to come. BUT if I had booked say on the 4th March (when we knew about Covid and what was unfolding - and then I wouldn't have booked as I could see what was happening) we would be able to change our flights/get a vouch or a refund for free. It feels like we are being penalised for booking in advance and being prepared (which is always recommended!!).
Any advice on how to fight this or is there any news on if BA will change their tune?
Thanks in Advance x

Caz3121

As you are not travelling for over 3 months, I would do nothing just now. Currently BA are offering vouchers for those booked to travel by 31st August that choose not to, this date could well be pushed further depending on the ever changing situation, or your flights could be cancelled enabling a refund.
Your comment that you wouldn't have booked had you known about the situation is exactly why airlines introduced the free changes as otherwise no new bookings would have been made and their income would have ground to a halt.

Kernowanya

Caz3121 said:

As you are not travelling for over 3 months, I would do nothing just now. Currently BA are offering vouchers for those booked to travel by 31st August that choose not to, this date could well be pushed further depending on the ever changing situation, or your flights could be cancelled enabling a refund.
Your comment that you wouldn't have booked had you known about the situation is exactly why airlines introduced the free changes as otherwise no new bookings would have been made and their income would have ground to a halt.

Thankyou, I have a feeling we have to wait but I would rather just reschedule. I mean it would be rubbish if we could get there and nothing is open or if we have to quarantine. I want to enjoy japan not be looking over my shoulder constantly. We want to go, just not in the current climate, so just having the option to have the voucher and no change fees, than have to fork out £300 to change.

oscarward

You’re in a better position than us, we booked to fly to Vancouver 8/10 back last November. Taking last train of the year across the rockies. Talking to a rep in a call centre we were told we couldn’t reschedule our flights beyond a year from booking date we can only wait or cancel. If we cancel we lose everything.

so we have to wait for either the window to change being extended or the flight is cancelled by ba so I can get a refund or vouchers. Currently ba are showing flights restarting 16/7 so we wait and see.

rosiesposies

They will extend the window, Canada has just extended quarantine yesterday to end aug and likely it will be extended again. International tourism will only be open if there is vaccine, herd immunity or treatment according to phase 4 of (BC) opening. BA does one flight a day into yvr and as long as intl travel is restricted that flight won’t operate 

oscarward

You are right rosieposies.  BA have quietly extended the window to the end of September now. 

If you are due to travel between now and 30 September 2020 you can claim a voucher to the value of your booking, valid for travel until 30 April 2022.

Vouchers can be used as payment, or part payment, for a future booking. Your new trip booked with your voucher must be fully completed by 30 April 2022 (departure and return). You will receive your voucher by email within seven days of your application.

1st available flight to Vancouver now 1st Sept, wait and see if that goes ahead.

oscarward

and they have now cancelled all september flights. 1st flight 1st oct  ....

swm76_uk

Kernowanya said:

Hi everyone, 
Looking for some advice. We booked flights to Japan with British Airways back in January for 2 weeks in October (5th - 19th). Now obviously we had no idea this pandemic was going to take hold and ruin everyones holidays/summer/lives! The way things stand it looks unlikely Japan will reopen to foreign travel and if it does with quarantine rules that may be in place we would like to postpone our holiday to 2021/22. The issue we have is because we booked before the 3rd march we will be subject to a change fee of £150 each to change our flights.
 I think this is highly unfair as we booked in good faith and unknowing of what was to come. BUT if I had booked say on the 4th March (when we knew about Covid and what was unfolding - and then I wouldn't have booked as I could see what was happening) we would be able to change our flights/get a vouch or a refund for free. It feels like we are being penalised for booking in advance and being prepared (which is always recommended!!).
Any advice on how to fight this or is there any news on if BA will change their tune?
Thanks in Advance x

What airport did you book to fly into? Narita? 

sheramber

From BA faq

Changing your booking

You can change the dates and destination of your booking without incurring a change fee, although you will need to pay any difference in price (applies to bookings made from 3 March until 30 September 2020 for journeys that are due to have been completed by 31 August 2021).

 Your booking date of 3 March is not a problem.

 You cannot amend yet as your holiday is not completed by 31 August.

silvercar

sheramber said:

From BA faq

Changing your booking

You can change the dates and destination of your booking without incurring a change fee, although you will need to pay any difference in price (applies to bookings made from 3 March until 30 September 2020 for journeys that are due to have been completed by 31 August 2021).

 Your booking date of 3 March is not a problem.

 You cannot amend yet as your holiday is not completed by 31 August.

Just wait,I’m sure that will be extended to October flights soon. Then you can either get a voucher for future travel or wait to see if the flight is actually cancelled which entitles you to a refund.

oscarward

they haven't extended the voucher offer but have just cancelled most of october flights to vancouver.