Help Needed - Negotiating Flight Cancellation with British Airways

BAticketrefundquery1

Dear All,

I'm hoping you can advise on a tricky situation. We booked flights for six with British Airways, Manchester UK to Philadelphia USA, but unforeseen circumstances force us to cancel.

The airline states our tickets are restricted, offering only a tax refund. We spent a significant amount (~£8,000) and the flights are four months away, giving them ample time to resell the seats.

We believe a partial refund beyond taxes would be fair, considering the lead time and British Airways' ability to resell.

Can you advise on how to approach British Airways to negotiate a better outcome?

Thank you for your time and expertise.

Hoenir

Doesn't your travel insurance cover the eventuality? 

elsien

Not necessarily, if it’s a change of mind that’s not covered by illness etc. 

TadleyBaggie

BAticketrefundquery1 said:

We believe a partial refund beyond taxes would be fair, considering the lead time and British Airways' ability to resell.

Why would they want to resell them? If the flight isn't full, they would prefer to sell the vacant seats they already have.You are not in a strong position.

As has been said, travel insurance would be the way to go, assuming the cancellation reason is covered.

michele-p

You would need to check if the tickets you bought are refundable, if not then what you think is reasonable is irrelevant. It's the airlines rules you will be tied to, as you will have agreed to the terms when you bought the flights.

Hoenir

elsien said:

Not necessarily, if it’s a change of mind that’s not covered by illness etc. 

Then refundable ticket options should have been booked at the outset if a change of mind was a possibility. 

bagand96

If you purchased non-refundable tickets then there's no real advice anyone can give you.

Unless you're cancelling for a reason that is covered by your travel insurance.

SW17

Ability to resell isn’t relevant, airlines routinely overbook flights anyway. Will assume you’re asking the question because you either don’t have insurance or the reason for cancelling isn’t covered by your insurance. 

In the (likely) scenario of BA refusing any discretionary refund, your main hope would be not to cancel the flights until the last possible moment that would still allow you to recoup taxes etc, and then hope for a flight cancellation or enough of a schedule change in the meantime, which would allow you to cancel for a full refund under UK261. 

steven333

As everyone said, you probably don’t have much of a leg to stand on. But, I would give them a call and try, explaining the situation…worst they can do is say no. 

Caz3121

BA do sell fully refundable tickets, however these come at a high price. Refundable flights for that routing in economy are £3k each. 
Agree with SW17 that you should hold off cancelling in the small hope of a schedule change (although unlikely, you will be in no worse position by waiting)
Also have a look at the fare rules regarding changes...if your issue is the dates of travel maybe you could pay to change the dates rather than lose the money. (assuming your travel insurance does not cover your situation)

DullGreyGuy

There is no "negotiation" but just hoping for goodwill which will really depend on the reason for the cancellation. If you want a refundable ticket in the future you need to book one, which comes at a very large premium.