Flight from Manila

warregui

My flight was scheduled to depart from Manila on 26th March 2020. On the 24th March I received an email from my online booking agent saying my flight was cancelled. It is now the 28th September 2020. I have not received a refund. The only communication I have received is from the agent saying they have tried calling British Airways but are not getting any response.

Do you think I am being premature in putting this into the hands of solicitors?

Thanks for reading.

Caz3121

warregui said:

The only communication I have received is from the agent saying they have tried calling British Airways but are not getting any response.

my end March BA cancellation was dealt with quickly, got through after 20 mins calling (had booked direct) and refund 2 days later...is this a proper travel agent or one of the online ticket sellers?

Butts

warregui said:

My flight was scheduled to depart from Manila on 26th March 2020. On the 24th March I received an email from my online booking agent saying my flight was cancelled. It is now the 28th September 2020. I have not received a refund. The only communication I have received is from the agent saying they have tried calling British Airways but are not getting any response.

Do you think I am being premature in putting this into the hands of solicitors?

Thanks for reading.

You certainly were not "premature" in instigating a chargeback which you should have done months ago.
Why have you waited so long, is it a reputable agent that instilled you with confidence ?

Westin

“I received an email from my online booking agent saying my flight was cancelled.”

Was this the second sector of a flight? (e.g. had you already flown out to Manila and this was the return flight?)

It seems very strange only for them to tell you in an email that they flight is cancelled and nothing more, leaving it at that. I would expect even some of the shonky OTA’s to tell you of next steps and options open to you.  Did the email not tell what to do next, even if it was to contact them?

Just wondering if things have been left in limbo and the fare credit is sitting with the airline until you/agent tells them what to do.  If it was the second return leg of the journey the airline may need to calculate the value of a cash refund. More complex than just providing an alternative Manila to U.K. flight.

warregui

My flight from Manila was a return leg to the UK via Hong Kong. The Manila to Hong Kong leg was operated by Cathay Pacific. British Airways were responsible for Hong Kong to London Heathrow. 

The Hong Government brought in restrictions that denied entry, even transit, to certain categories of people including myself. Thus had I gone to the airport I would have been refused boarding for the flight.  

Cathay Pacific sent out an email confirming I would not be allowed entry or transit through Hong Kong. 

I used an online travel agent - Alternative Airlines.

Thanks for your replies

[Deleted User]

Just so I can get the whole picture.    Was the Honk Kong flight operational?   How did you get home eventually?   Have you claimed for that?   What flight/s are you trying to claim for?    Could be that you will have to claim from your insurance if the Manila to Hong Kong went ahead anyway?    

Caz3121

warregui said:

My flight was scheduled to depart from Manila on 26th March 2020. On the 24th March I received an email from my online booking agent saying my flight was cancelled.

was this the Manila to Hong Kong Cathay flight that was cancelled, the Hong Kong to London flight - or both?

Westin

The more detail and complete the situation you can give early on the better the answers and response you will get.

If British Airways still operated that HKG LHR flight then you may not be due a refund. They will not be concerned that you could not enter HKG.

If this was all on one ticket, one booking from Manila, via Hong Kong to London then you may have options if the first flight of that return sector was cancelled.

Much will depend how Alternative Airlines made the booking.

You have still not been clear on what instruct you were given. Airlines don’t tend to just say your flight is cancelled and leave it like that. They normally give options or ask you to contact them to discuss alternatives.

warregui

Caz3121 said:

warregui said:

My flight was scheduled to depart from Manila on 26th March 2020. On the 24th March I received an email from my online booking agent saying my flight was cancelled.

was this the Manila to Hong Kong Cathay flight that was cancelled, the Hong Kong to London flight - or both?

Yes Manila to HK was cancelled . My flight was Manila to Heathrow via HK. Cathay Pacific sent out an email two days before the departure date saying I would not be allowed to transit HK and would not be able to connect with BA for the London flight.

warregui

Tedber said:

Just so I can get the whole picture.    Was the Honk Kong flight operational?   How did you get home eventually?   Have you claimed for that?   What flight/s are you trying to claim for?    Could be that you will have to claim from your insurance if the Manila to Hong Kong went ahead anyway?    

I think the flight was operational but Cathay Pacific emailed me saying I would not be allowed to transit HK airport for the BA flight to London, and therefore not allowed to board their Manila to HK flight. My ticket was a return. I flew LHR to HK and HK to Manila on the outward journey.

warregui

my email from Cathay Pacific: