#254349 by gingerflyer
05 May 2008, 22:32
We were supposed to be travelling on the evening flight on 1st May 2008. However as we were heading off to the Club check-in bag drop, we were asked where we were travelling. When we said Malaga, we were informed that the flight was heavily overbooked and they were currently looking for 5 people to offer to fly in the morning. Usually this is always a 'no' from me, but as we weren't in a rush and had to pick up a car from the airport the following lunchtime it seemed like a fair deal. That was made sweeter by an offer of 315 each for not travelling.

Having offered, we then sat and waited in the bar downstairs. We returned to the customer service area at the alloted time, to be told to wait for a bit longer. After a nail-biting 15 minute wait we were told that we had been off-loaded for the night (we were keen on the 315!!). There was then the slight delay waiting for the BA cash card to be sorted, re-booking on the morning flight (separate seats as there was only 3 seats in club free, and booking a room in the Hilton (our choice). We headed off to the South Terminal and the Hilton, checked into our room (initially they wanted to put us into 2 separate rooms, but a Diamond card meant we got an executive room for the night). Lovely drinks in the lounge, followed by room service dinner.

Following morning we headed back to the North Terminal, did the bag drop and through to the lounge. Money withdrawn and converted into Euros for the trip. Brief visit to the Terraces lounge - very quiet compared to usual. Boarding was from the satellite area - love the walk over the bridge. Flight was full (so guess some people bumped from that flight as well). Fairly unremarkable flight with hot breakfast (euro traveller had sandwiches - thought they normally had hot breakie as well). Arrived in Malaga, with a long walk to the baggage reclaim and saw the delights of the arriving Easyjet flights at the same time. Bags came off separated and very slowly - obviously no priority tagging in place. Headed off to car hire pick-up, without the need for coming back from Malaga town centre that would have been needed if we travelled the evening before.

Overall a great trip in view of the compensation offered (and that it made our car pick-up easier). One thing I learnt was that usually when they offer it, the deal is not that good (but always better than the forced denied boarding compensation) and NEVER believe them that your bag is going to make it (from a BA customer service assistant) - there isn't time with the short check-in for those who aren't needed for off-loading for their bags to make it to the plane!!

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