Are BA Holidays price gouging?

archer123

We booked a BA Holiday to Helsinki for December 2020, during the BA January Sale. We received confirmation.
In March we received an email from BA Holidays telling us that it is cancelled and they would call us. Surprised that BA would cancel so far out during the Covid crisis, we checked on their website and the same BA Holiday was still for sale for our date, and many other dates. Same hotel, everything. But the price had risen considerably. £1200 to £3500 !!
I have tried to call BA. Their lines just gave recorded messages and disconnected. The only answer I got was a Call Centre in South Africa. I also wrote an email. No repsonse.
It looks to us like they are using Covid as an excuse to dump bookings sold at a low Sale Price and trying the exploit the situation by hiking the prices for new reservations. We checked the holiday price in April, in June, and today, and it is still on sale for December 2020 at the considerably higher price.
It is morally wrong, but is it illegal?

macman

No, it's not illegal. BA are losing millions every day, so it's not surprising that they will try everything in their power ro reduce overheads. Though, in this case, I can't see how they benefit, as they are likely to lose your business.
After 4 months, if no refund has arrived, then you have waited far too long. Do a chargeback, now.

mutrod

I have accepted a voucher for cancelled fights can I change my mind and ask for the money to be refunded?

[Deleted User]

archer123 said:

We booked a BA Holiday to Helsinki for December 2020, during the BA January Sale. We received confirmation.
In March we received an email from BA Holidays telling us that it is cancelled and they would call us. Surprised that BA would cancel so far out during the Covid crisis, we checked on their website and the same BA Holiday was still for sale for our date, and many other dates. Same hotel, everything. But the price had risen considerably. £1200 to £3500 !!
I have tried to call BA. Their lines just gave recorded messages and disconnected. The only answer I got was a Call Centre in South Africa. I also wrote an email. No repsonse.
It looks to us like they are using Covid as an excuse to dump bookings sold at a low Sale Price and trying the exploit the situation by hiking the prices for new reservations. We checked the holiday price in April, in June, and today, and it is still on sale for December 2020 at the considerably higher price.
It is morally wrong, but is it illegal?

It is dreadful if that is what they are doing.   They should at least be honouring the bookings already made?   Am sure someone with more clout than me and perhaps you could make mincemeat of them in some way?   Not only have they sent you a cancellation email they haven't followed up on the promised phone call!   Maybe that will go in your favour?  When they call or you can email them,  tell them you know the flight is still operational, the hotel open so you will still be going on it!    They will probably say it was cancelled and now going ahead but that doesn't excuse fact they haven't given you a refund yet either!   It really is beyond belief even if they are desperate for cash.   Sorry not a lot of practical help or advice but am angry for you!

macman

mutrod said:

I have accepted a voucher for cancelled fights can I change my mind and ask for the money to be refunded?

No, you can't.

macman

tedber, this holiday is hooked 6 month's ahead. BA don't currently know if they are operating flights 6 days ahead, let alone 6m. Airlines have always been able to cancel bookings, as long as they give minimum two weeks notice. They are giving 6m.

[Deleted User]

Well isn't that the whole point macman, they haven't cancelled as such just put prices up?   But it is purely how I feel about it and not asking you to agree.    If I had booked that holiday, been told it had been cancelled,  then found out the holiday was still going ahead but now would cost three times the original I would be upset, wouldn't anybody?   

macman

Yes, very. But it's not illegal. All the OP can do is vote with their feet.
Better to get a refund now than wait until December to find that BA are insolvent and won't be refunding anybody..13 airlines have failed in the last 15 months and there are bound to be more coming soon.

archer123

Perhaps it is about time the regulator got involved and forced BA and the others to return the money, if they are not going the honour their committments. It is wrong to sit on all that cash, that belongs to the customer, and avoid paying it back. BA have had our money since January!

macman

What makes you think that BA, or any other airline, are currently sitting on big cash piles? 

archer123

They took the cash. It sits on their balance sheet. It's not my problem what their current cashflow is like.

What about my cashflow! The Consumer watchdog is right to demand they abide by the law, and return all the cash they took from clients.

After the way BA, Ryanair or some of the others have behaved, I don't think there is much sympathy for them. That is not my fault.

PS: Macman, are you in the travel industry?