[ihateba]

I booked tickets on BA from New York to London using their telephone reservation system (I didn't have a choice because I had a child traveling alone - in which case, online reservations are not allowed). I was traveling and wasn't in front of the internet when I booked it but I asked the reservations specialist to check for cheapest flights out of all New York airports (JFK and Newark). She gave me the "lowest" option, a flight out of JFK and I booked it.

A few days later, when my travel ended, I just happened to check the fares online and found fares that were $1600 cheaper than what I paid (to Newark). Now, I know that fares change all the time and if they drop after you buy a ticket, there's nothing you can do about it.

I figured that it was worth paying the change fee and I called them. In doing so, I discovered a problem (which is prompting this post). The agent said "What do you mean? Yours is the cheapest flight out there". I said "I'm looking at your system right now, I see a flight BAXXX that's $1600 cheaper". They didn't see it. Half hour and a lot of wrangling later they "found" the flight for the lower cost!!!!!!!!!!

Now, obviously, I have no way of checking whether that lower priced flight was there when I booked it. But I did want to check if it was a recurring problem. So I tried calling them separately as though to inquire about the fares and each time, I was NOT offered the lowest fare. My friend checked and had the same response. I tried this for a total of 4 times and each time the phone system did not offer a lower fare unless the person quoted the flight number found online.

I had to pay a $1000 cancellation fee (2 tickets) and rebook myself on the cheaper flight. So, instead of saving $1600, I saved $600 on the new flight. The BA agent would not waive the fee for me and told me that I could "never prove it".

I have complained to BA Customer relations but I'm guessing I am not going to get anything from them. Would appreciate any thoughts on what (if any) I can do.

At the very least, let this be a PSA: please be careful when you use the phone reservation system. They give whatever damn fare they please and call it the "lowest"

[jimworcs]

This scam is widespread. Some airlines only guarantee their lowest fares on their website and no not make other very low fares available through other outlets. I would never book a flight via telephone sales. Often, you know more than the person selling you the ticket, about rules, routes, etc. The internet gives you time to shop around. Good luck with BA... but I wouldn't expect much and don't think there is much you can do.

I havn't had this problem with BA before, as I regularly use the BA Unaccompanied Minors programme, as my daughter lives in the US. However, I always check the internet pricing first and then call. (Incidently, unaccompanied minors pay the adult fare on BA). The other alternative is to try Virgin Atlantic. With their service, you can book the flight online, and then you call Virgin and buy the unaccompanied minor service over the phone.

One more thing.. you must be booking very last minute for those prices. My daughter is travelling in August to the UK and back and the fare was less than $600 return, including the fee.

[Jamesr44]

Originally Posted by ihateba

I booked tickets on BA from New York to London using their telephone reservation system (I didn't have a choice because I had a child traveling alone - in which case, online reservations are not allowed). I was traveling and wasn't in front of the internet when I booked it but I asked the reservations specialist to check for cheapest flights out of all New York airports (JFK and Newark). She gave me the "lowest" option, a flight out of JFK and I booked it.

A few days later, when my travel ended, I just happened to check the fares online and found fares that were $1600 cheaper than what I paid (to Newark). Now, I know that fares change all the time and if they drop after you buy a ticket, there's nothing you can do about it.

I figured that it was worth paying the change fee and I called them. In doing so, I discovered a problem (which is prompting this post). The agent said "What do you mean? Yours is the cheapest flight out there". I said "I'm looking at your system right now, I see a flight BAXXX that's $1600 cheaper". They didn't see it. Half hour and a lot of wrangling later they "found" the flight for the lower cost!!!!!!!!!!

Now, obviously, I have no way of checking whether that lower priced flight was there when I booked it. But I did want to check if it was a recurring problem. So I tried calling them separately as though to inquire about the fares and each time, I was NOT offered the lowest fare. My friend checked and had the same response. I tried this for a total of 4 times and each time the phone system did not offer a lower fare unless the person quoted the flight number found online.

I had to pay a $1000 cancellation fee (2 tickets) and rebook myself on the cheaper flight. So, instead of saving $1600, I saved $600 on the new flight. The BA agent would not waive the fee for me and told me that I could "never prove it".

I have complained to BA Customer relations but I'm guessing I am not going to get anything from them. Would appreciate any thoughts on what (if any) I can do.

At the very least, let this be a PSA: please be careful when you use the phone reservation system. They give whatever damn fare they please and call it the "lowest"

Try claim at http://www.ukecc.net/
The UK European Consumer Center atke claims for internet and online purchases