ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS

Cookie98180

My partner and I booked a cruise for Japan  for his 60th birthday and we booked flights seperately with British Airways. Cruise company has informed us that they are cancelling all cruises to Japan due to uncertainty with Covid and are offering to refund our monies or to rebook for 2023.  I contacted British Airways yesterday to see if I could apply for a voucher to use against flights for 2023 and was told that we were not eligible.  Our trip is in November this year and their current policy in place is that you can get a voucher up to September this year.  Our flight isn't until November so basically they are saying we can't get a refund, we can't get a voucher and we can't change the date of the tickets or use the ticket to go somewhere else.  The flights are approximately £3,000 which we cannot afford to lose.  Any advice would be appreciated. 

[Deleted User]

Do the terms of your booking allow for any refund or credit?

If not, then it will need to be a claim on your travel insurance.

Caz3121

Cookie98180 said:

Our flight isn't until November so basically they are saying we can't get a refund, we can't get a voucher and we can't change the date of the tickets or use the ticket to go somewhere else.  The flights are approximately £3,000 which we cannot afford to lose.  Any advice would be appreciated. 

Firstly you would need to check the fare rules of the tickets you purchased.
If indeed they are restricted tickets (and your travel insurance will not cover) then you have nothing to lose but wait and see if there are any schedule changes of cancellations that may allow you to cancel for refund...winter timetable will kick in end October so maybe by September there could be schedule changes announced.

Westin

This is one of the issues faced with a DIY type trip where separate unlinked travel is purchased.  One element is cancelled but the other elements still stand.  Had this been booked as a UK package (cruise ex Japan and flights to/from) then the travel organiser would be responsible and the flight cost refunded.

It seems what BA are telling you is technically correct, or at least current policy.  If BA do anything then it is a concession rather than a right.

Caz3121 makes good suggestions.

1. Check fare rules to understand your position.
2. Keep monitoring BA.com to see if their current flight waiver offer changes and gets extended.
3. Check for significant schedule changes or cancellations as this may allow a cancellation/refund.
4. Look for other options to marry your flights with. Perhaps a nice escorted tour of Japan. 

November is a long time off in the aviation and travel world. Hopefully your options will open up between now and end of summer.

Grumpy_chap

Westin said:

This is one of the issues faced with a DIY type trip where separate unlinked travel is purchased.  One element is cancelled but the other elements still stand.

It was for exactly this reason that we booked our trip to Spain as a "package" one booking through BA rather than the slightly cheaper option to book separately flights and hotel with the respective providers directly.

Westin

BA have today announced that they are cancelling flying to Tokyo for the summer 2022 season.  Continue to monitor your booking in the hope that for you they cancel further into November.

Hong Kong also cancelled for summer and Miami reduced to x1 daily from x2 daily.

mattyprice4004

This is the risk of doing it by yourself rather than as a package - if the flight goes ahead you're not entitled to a refund or voucher etc. 
Let's hope it is cancelled, but if it's not you're not going to be able to get a refund I'm afraid. 

Sandtree

Wait... the rules have been changing all the time and so a no today doesn't mean a no in 3 months time. Just keep a regular review on the BA website covid page.

[Deleted User]

There is an election in Japan next month. After then they will probably make a decision.