British Airways are unbelievable

[so called]

I travel a lot and due to company policy, generally fly with the Star Alliance or Flying Blue groups.
Having Gold status in both groups, I get a 2 case allowance plus my carry on.
I used to make a round trip to Germany every 2 weeks over a period of 5 years but this was insufficient to get anything but basic status with BA. I was not dissapointed to start using other airlines.
So now having been an Airmiles member for 16 years and still on basic, 3 weeks ago I flew from Hannover Germany to Manchester UK.
I was ultimately travelling on to the US but was stopping off to say hello to my better half.

Anyway 2 suitcases,
BA - "Sorry sir your only allowed 1 case".
Me - "I know but I'm travelling on to the US and need both cases".
BA - "Oh" - 5 minute phone call - " you have to pay excess baggage fee".
Me - "I know".
BA - "Your 18kg over your allowance, that will be €323,- + €37,- admin + €18,- credit card charge. - Total €378,- !!!!!!!
Me - "My ticket only cost €149,-, can I buy another seat and have 2 bags allowance "?
BA - "No sir.
Me,- "Thanks".

Now I remember the other reason why I hate BA.
I know that this was a policy change by BA about 7 years ago to "simplify" the baggage system but do they not realise how this drives customers away. Surely this is a short sighted money grabing approach.
I dont mind paying a reasonable fee but this is stupid.
In comparison, South West Airlines charged me $35,- for having 2 bags last week and the week before, US also asked for 35,- until they realised I had gold status.

Grumble over.
Tony.

Edited by so called on Thursday 23 June 16:29

Edited by so called on Thursday 23 June 16:30

[MadMullah]

BA are going down hill and losing so many customers.

their policies are more like easyjet/ryanair day by day.

£4.50 ccard charges per customer - stuff like that drives people away.

[soad]

Stupid rip-off surcharges!

[Mafioso]

You're

[ambuletz]

she better be giving you some head with that 37euro 'admin fee'.i don't see how they can warrant such a cost for something that only takes afew clicks to change.

[matc]

Mafioso said:

You're

A pedantic dick who wks over a collins dictionary?

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

The clue to the problem is in the name it's sad to say!

[so called]

Mafioso said:

You're

Thanks.

[so called]

Got to fly with them again next week.

[GreatGranny]

so called said:

Thanks.

and you should have posted in the Lounge or Travel...

[so called]

GreatGranny said:

so called said:

Thanks.

and you should have posted in the Lounge or Travel...

Oh, I'm a Virgin to Lounge or Travel.

[jamesson]

I flew with them earlier this week and was most disappointed when "dinner" consisted of what can only be described as a large biscuit. I asked the stewardess "Is that it?!" and she replied that they stopped serving meals some time ago.

I thought BA still positioned itself as a premium and full service airline.

[anonymous-user]

so called said:

Got to fly with them again next week.

This time, take less stuff and pack it in one bag.

[steviejasp]

My brother told me this today:
He had booked a BA return to Miami for last week. On arrival to airport, was told that they were going on an American Airlines plane.
He then had to pay for drinks which would have been free on the BA flight!
Is this the norm ?

[Flintstone]

GreatGranny said:

so called said:

Thanks.

and you should have posted in the Lounge or Travel...

Shaping up nicely for tomorrow's (Friday's) fight thread

[-crookedtail-]

steviejasp said:

My brother told me this today:
He had booked a BA return to Miami for last week. On arrival to airport, was told that they were going on an American Airlines plane.
He then had to pay for drinks which would have been free on the BA flight!
Is this the norm ?

You can check which carrier will be operating the flight on the website when you book. Happens quite often with the different alliances the airlines all seem to be in these days.

[nottyash]

I too only used BA when work booked it for me. The planes are old, the trolley dollys are Mutton dressed as lamb and its way overpriced.
I travel Singapore airlines/ Ethiad or Eva and its a far better service/ flight.
Of course I dont normally book a flight ticket based on how good looking the air stewardeses are........... but I think I will start to as its a good indication of a good airline

[alock]

BA lost any future business from me the moment their staff went on strike. I'm not going to put the reliability of my travel plans at the whim of a couple of union leaders.

[Puggit]

I'm torn - I recently lost bmi (Star Alliance) gold status after my job role changed. However, I'm mulling over a move to another job with an HQ in SFO and pan-EMEA travel.

bmi are now almost useless as an airline, but can I really pull myself over to BA? The Lufthansa network covers EMEA nicely, but flying direct to SFO requires United

[rswift]

I regularly book flights for bands & orchestra's. The only airlines we refuse to use are Ryan Air, and British Airways.

BA are just appalling, especially at customer service. Only time we have missed shows is because of BA, or even better instruments left at Heathrow to follow on later flights .. usually when the gigs have finished and we are back in the UK.

Poland on Sat, 30 flights booked on Wizz-Air .. I anticipate no problems.