V-Flyer

Our work meeting finished early which was a bit of a nightmare - we were on a cheap unflexible BA ticket. However, we thought we would try our luck and head out to the airport to see if we could change. However, on asking it was over £200 to change the ticket or £140 to buy a new one - neither was easy to swallow so we were left travelling on our original flight. Odd that a new ticket was cheaper than changing - means we could have blocked seats on two flights.

Anyway security was quiet and after a wander through the terminal we headed off to the lounge. There is a door en route which says no return through to the main terminal after passing this point - the only thing through this door was the lounge and the gates. Decided to head through to the Terraces Lounge and relax. It is huge compared to the number of people travelling through NCL. The usual fare was available, along with free WiFi. We passed the time doing some work and had a couple of glasses of wine with some snacks before boarding started. The gate was just round the corner from the lounge - there was no queue when we got there.

Boarding was quick and the flight fairly quiet - again we were in Row 1 (which was the only full row!). Pushed back about 15 minutes ahead of schedule, short taxi and then heading back to London. Once in the air, drinks were offered - the first few rows were served from the galley before the trolley came out. I asked for a white wine and was offered either a new Spanish wine or a chardonay. Opted for the Spanish one which was just about ok - then was offered towards the end the other one to compare. Only Row 1 were offered a second drink.

No circling around LHR so a nice and early arrival at the gate - about 20 minutes ahead of schedule. However we parked up at T5C, so that meant a very long bus journey around LHR to get to the domestic arrival bus gate. This negated our early arrival unfortunately.

The flight was pleasant enough and the crew seemed to favour / look after those in Row 1 more than other rows. Also the lounge in NCL is a very pleasant way to pass some hours at the airport - much less busy than other lounges.

Interesting TR, thanks for posting!

Very odd that the change few was higher than a completely new fair! Makes no sense but that's BA for ya!

Luke

Thank you for the return TR.

Thanks for the TR.

The LHR-NCL cost (if booked reasonably in advance) is £62.
Taxes, fees & charges come to more than £56 of this.

But these are refundable, less a reasonable admin. charge.

T&C 4b4)If you do not use your ticket, you will be entitled to claim a refund of any taxes, fees and charges which you paid, less a reasonable service charge.

It seems that the cost of making multiple bookings (and reclaiming on unused) is considerably cheaper than either flex tickets or rebookings.

Anyone with experience of reclaiming tax etc. on unused flights?

A few years ago I was returning from EDI-LCY on BA when the weather was starting to get bad and flights were getting delayed and cancelled. We asked it we could be moved to an earlier flight - we got there way too early - and were firmly told only if we paid. A colleage I was with tried using her status and failed.

Even our logic of it being sensible to get us out of EDI whilst there was a plane flying rather than have the possibilty of them having to put us up in a hotel (at greater cost to BA) failed

Bill S wrote:
Anyone with experience of reclaiming tax etc. on unused flights?

Not BA but in February I had to cancel a Swiss flight and the refund came through in less than a week after my requesting it. This was for a Y fare and I have no status with Swiss.

It probbaly helped that I had booked direct with them that they could process it so quickly rather than via a travel agent which is where the hold ups seam to occur.

This was booked through a company travel agent and from past experience the amount you get back is about the same as the "reasonable fee" on a non-flexible ticket.

This was booked through a company travel agent and from past experience the amount you get back is about the same as the "reasonable fee" on a non-flexible ticket.