British Airways Flight to the USA in October

chad888

We are due to fly October 26th, London Heathrow to Miami with a 16th November return flight,  booked through British Airways on an American Airlines aircraft.

At present the US border is shut to UK nationals that have been in the UK 14 days prior to flight. There is no discussion of this being lifted, and considering the UK is going in to second lockdown due to a spike in cases, it does not seem likely that the border will open back up in a month.

On the British Airways website, it says that flights booked for before 30th September are entitled to a voucher. But nothing on October travel (we booked in October last year so we aren't covered by the clause 'if you booked after May this year' which is strange to me).

It also says on the BA terms that if the flight goes ahead then you are not entitled to a refund. I have been looking in to the flights and it seems that despite the border closure to UK nationals, they have been going ahead rather than been cancelled.

If the border opens up then I am content with going, although I am pretty nonchalant about the holiday and have zero excitement for it. However is it possible to seek a refund if the flight goes ahead but the US border is closed to me as a UK citizen?

bradders1983

You will just have to wait, that 30th September will be edited soon enough, I had to wait for Raddisson to do the same to get a hotel stay moved this week, give them chance.

If you have booked a non-flexible ticket and If the flight goes ahead and you are not on it, and you have not moved the flight or not accepted a voucher, then yes you are likely to have no recourse with BA and you would need to speak to your travel insurance. Airlines are quite "hot" in their terms and conditions on ensuring entry requirements are none of their concern.

chad888

bradders1983 said:

You will just have to wait, that 30th September will be edited soon enough, I had to wait for Raddisson to do the same to get a hotel stay moved this week, give them chance.

If you have booked a non-flexible ticket and If the flight goes ahead and you are not on it, and you have not moved the flight or not accepted a voucher, then yes you are likely to have no recourse with BA and you would need to speak to your travel insurance. Airlines are quite "hot" in their terms and conditions on ensuring entry requirements are none of their concern.

Thank you for the response, at the moment I am checking all BA platforms daily.

Unfortunately, our £90 travel insurance package (and looking in to it, every other insurance provider) does not pay out if there is Covid related border closure. Here is the relevant quote from our documentation:

"There is no cover under our policy, if you have to cancel your  trip for this reason. It will be for the travel agent/tour operator to reimburse you  or offer an alternative. Failing that, you may have protection  through ABTA if they are a member, or through your credit or  debit card providers, all of which should respond before  travel insurance in any event."

"Your policy will cover you, subject to the normal terms, when it is necessary to cancel your trip because your specific 

destination overseas is subject to any of the following travel restrictions that are not related to COVID-19 or another 

pandemic or known event"

bradders1983

"or offer you an alternative" = get a voucher, which is what BA will probably do in the fullness of time, give them chance to edit the website and their terms.

Caz3121

chad888 said:

On the British Airways website, it says that flights booked for before 30th September are entitled to a voucher. But nothing on October travel (we booked in October last year so we aren't covered by the clause 'if you booked after May this year' which is strange to me).

the book with confidence applies to flights booked after 3rd March (currently up to 30th September) for travel dates up to 31st August 2021
changing the date to October will only affect those looking to make new bookings and has no impact on existing bookings
What is key is whether you booked after 3rd March....as you booked before then it does not apply
"If you decide you no longer want to travel, you can cancel your booking and we’ll give you a voucher to the same value for a future booking (applies to bookings made from 3 March until 30 September 2020 for journeys that are due to have been completed by 31 August 2021). Cancellation Terms and Conditions"
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/incident/coronavirus/latest-information