Comments on: British Airways fat-finger compensation: $300 off India ticket

By: NS

NS — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:43:41 +0000

This affects me as well – so here is my $0.02.

First step would be to refuse the $300 offer by BA. It’s a shameless cover up without accepting responsibility. The only acceptable offer is honoring bookings.

Second Step would be to put in a formal compaint with with the credit card companies used for booking tickets – an attempt was made by consumer in “good faith” to resolve issue with vendor(BA). Amex, Visa & MasterCard have clout and will hold BA accountable.

Third Step file a formal complaint with DOT, Local Senator & Small Claims Court.

Finally, Mass Action lawsuit againt BA. This will require patience and persistence.

Truth Always Triumphs. Mahatma Gandhi.

By: Praneeth Thoutam

Praneeth Thoutam — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:23:21 +0000

I never got any email regarding this 300$ off deal. How can they announce a compensation plan and never let us know?

By: Srini

Srini — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:50:39 +0000

IF you have to fly through london you got to have a transit visa(visa nationals??) , i applied for one online which costs $88. It not useful if i am flying by emirates. $300 off on $2000 flight is ridiculous. I decided that i will never fly BA again in my life time.

By: SD

SD — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:11:24 +0000

Guys,

Time is not on our side, if we need to file a case… we need to do it NOW. How long could we just sit and wait because BA could take its own sweet time and every passing day the price increases.

Does anyone know of an attorney for this case? Could we file a lawsuit to include all affected passengers?

By: No + for BA in $40 US-India Fare Cancellation Row

No + for BA in $40 US-India Fare Cancellation Row — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:53:01 +0000

[...] up by major Consumer Travel advocates and publications like the LA Times’ Daily Deal blog and Chris Elliott’s (see TI100 profile) blog. Mainstream media publications in both India and the UK are [...]

By: Akshay

Akshay — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:01:43 +0000

I bought a ticket to India from British airways on October 2nd 2009 for $648.80, for which i was charged on my debit card twice (once by British airways and once by orbitz). I had a hard time talking to Orbitz people to lay off the second charge. I even printed my itinerary with the seat numbers. Than the next day British airways shocked me saying my ticket was canceled as the fare that mentioned was a glitch. How can BA violate the contract of carriage once entered into a contract ? The day when I booked a ticket I also saw a fare of $ 896 on Air India. Even after that i saw a ticket on sidestep and kayak for $585 on quatar airways(so Chris stop writing that this was a give away deal or some one stealing BA money). I could have booked this if I dint have all this bull shit from BA. Now I can’t find a deal less than $ 1300. In this economy how can I afford that high priced ticket? BA truly screwed my vacation. BA has to pay for its mistake. If the mistake was on our side would BA spare our pockets???

By: barbie45

barbie45 — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:51:27 +0000

ahmei; i agree with you; it is not up to the consumer to decide if the price is a socalledfatfinger,which is Chris very subjective concept; if i see a price advertised it is not my job to think now is that price reasonable; unless the price is fixed immediately that is not my concern ; great on your targer chairs; believe me somewhere along the line they willl get you on some other item; .

By: Don

Don — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:01:47 +0000

I still haven’t found a good reason from BA not to honor the $500 fare . when customers are made to pay for their mistakes while scheduling, why not BA pay for its mistake of putting up the wrong fare! I paid 650$ and is no way a small amount! Airlines in India have regulrly come up with marketing schemes of tickets for Re 1 plus taxes. So I didn’t think this was a mistake nor did I try to steal their money knowingly.

Also why should I believe what BA tells us. I suspect this was a marketing gimmick that went bad because so many people bought tickets that the senior management got cold feet and withdrew the offer!! Possible???

I want my ticket back, and I want it fast! the $300 discount is useless on a $ 2000 ticket. I would rather fly a diff airline

By: Abhi

Abhi — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:43:31 +0000

I would consider the ‘$300 off’ offer as legitimate only if BA has fares in the range of $1100 ~ $1300, which then would allow the affected people a chance to save something on their travel expenses. Depending upon the days of travel, US-India fares range between $750 at off season and $1500 at peak times (hence $550 is NOT a too good to be true fare). Unless it’s an absolute emergency, hardly anyone would pay $1800 for an economy class ticket to India. From what I see online, I doubt any of those latest fare offers on BA’s website are in the marginal range as compared to other airlines to be able to use the $300 offer. IMHO, this is like charging for a roof repair and offering a tarpauline instead of really fixing anything.

By: archana

archana — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:52:38 +0000

I think this does not apply to those who booked via Orbitz, PL etc. Therefore, your suggestion that someone could benefit up to $400 is unfounded.

By: ah-mei

ah-mei — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:33:47 +0000

I’m not sure how this is compensation as it relates to a discount rather than any tangible benefit. We bough tickets to go to our wedding at a reasonable price during this period. We are kind of stuck now!

In any other industry, there are laws to protect the consumer against changes in pricing. If the seller mis-labels something, then they are required by law to sell you the item at the advertised price until they fix it (thank you Target for the $199.99 massage chairs at $19.99!) What is it about the airline industry that exempts them from these laws (genuine question). BA should suck it up rather than deal with the negative publicity. At $600 a ticket, it certainly goes a long way to covering costs and isn’t far from a normal promotional price.

By: David Z

David Z — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:05:29 +0000

Not necessarily defending British Airways here, but it’s good to see they’re finally doing something rather than nothing or ignoring this altogether. And that’s despite what people feel about this.

Then again, can’t really please everyone. *shrug*

By: Ronda

Ronda — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:51:20 +0000

Like i said in the last post about this subject, BA isnt being sincere they’re jumping on the bandwagon, however 300 off is more then they are required to offer so whether it is to avoid bad publicity, or becuase they sincerely care about they’re costomers isnt relevent. 300 off is still 300 off and for those who knew it was a mistake and booked anyway, its more than you deserve, but for those who thaught it was just a promotional thing, then i feel bad for you, but always look around, if other airlines and flights are no where near the price you found, theres probably been a mistake.

By: Bhavesh Damania

Bhavesh Damania — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:14:27 +0000

All affected individuals should contact their state’s Attorney General’s office and request them to prevent doing any business in their state. Also everyone affected should contact http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/ and lodge a complaint against British Airways. They should be barred from doing any business in United States.

By: Sumeet Gupta

Sumeet Gupta — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:54:56 +0000

BA’s offer applies only to those who made reservation on BA.com. But, more importantly, it is not $300 off the lowest fare you see online. For instance, my original flight that was ticketed at $550 and subsequently cancelled, is available on BA.com for $1865. I called their 1-800 number thinking I would pay $1565.. however my quoted fare was ~$1820 after $300 discount.

I am trying hard here to give BA the benefit of doubt, however it is clear that their “apology” and other efforts to make this right is far from sincere.