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British Airways Refund

Australia
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1,441 posts
106 reviews
93 helpful votes
British Airways Refund
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We recently had a flight from Ibiza to London Gatwick. I chose our seats ahead OLCI opening, as I wanted to ensure seats towards the front of the plane, so we could off the flight and on our way as quickly as possible. BA charged me a total of 4€ to book two seats.

When we went through online check in, we had been moved. Our new seats were only a few rows behind the ones I'd chosen and paid for, however, we hadn't been informed of the change.

I contacted BA via social media, and somebody responded and we spoke on the phone. I explained that I thought I should be refunded the amount paid, plus an 'administration' fee of £5 total - this was to cover my time in choosing the seats, the foreign currency fee applied to the transaction and my time in contacting them to recoup my 4€. The person I spoke to agreed that I would be refund the 4€, however they could do nothing regarding my incurred costs, and if I wanted to take that further, I could go through the formal complaints channel.

I'm too lazy to be bothered writing to them in order to 'demand' £5 - so was happy to see the 4€ refunded, and thought that was that. Over a week later, I received an email regarding the refund, naming only me (and not my husband) as a passenger and stating the refund amount was £10 (!) - with the only reference being "Paid Seat". I have now noticed on my credit card statement, a credit from BA for £20! So - I'm not sure how they arrived at that figure - however, I'm happy to accept it as payment for the time I had taken in contacting them in the first place!

Wales, United...
Destination Expert
for Bargain Travel, Cruises, Swansea, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Neath, Port Talbot
Level Contributor
119,549 posts
440 reviews
365 helpful votes
1. Re: British Airways Refund
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It seems reasonable enough to me that all costs incurred should be refunded if the supplier cannot deliver the service paid for.

Surbiton
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1,997 posts
71 reviews
59 helpful votes
2. Re: British Airways Refund
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It seems reasonable enough to me that all costs incurred should be refunded if the supplier cannot deliver the service paid for.

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It depends what the T&C say. Though I suspect that the airline have actually supplied what was paid for - the right to sit together. The option to select is usually a free add-on to that.

To be honest, €2 to reserve a seat seems very low. I wonder whether the OP was misremembering, and they paid €12 each. Or €24 the pair - about £20 at current exchange rate.

Australia
Level Contributor
1,441 posts
106 reviews
93 helpful votes
3. Re: British Airways Refund
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No, the OP isn't "misremembering" - the OP even checked her Credit Card statement to be 100% sure.

Edinburgh, United...
Level Contributor
10,998 posts
4. Re: British Airways Refund
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Must have been a special deal as BA advertise

Whether you want to make sure you sit together, or get a window or aisle seat, standard seat prices start from £7/€8/$11 each on UK Domestic and European flights,

Edinburgh, United...
Level Contributor
18,178 posts
13 reviews
6 helpful votes
5. Re: British Airways Refund
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If you paid 4 euros to book two seats there was a screw-up in the amount charged.

Marrakech
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3,593 posts
6. Re: British Airways Refund
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Consider yourself lucky Tigga23

I called BA and added an infant to my booking. I noticed on my bank statement that they had taken the payment twice. I sent an email one week before the flight requesting reimbursement. I received an automated email basically saying their response times are slow. And, now, almost two weeks after the flight I have still not received a reply from BA.

Ware, United Kingdom
Level Contributor
2,576 posts
66 reviews
59 helpful votes
7. Re: British Airways Refund
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I thought infants were free?

Edinburgh, United...
Level Contributor
18,178 posts
13 reviews
6 helpful votes
8. Re: British Airways Refund
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Cheaper but not free. It's pretty pricey to fly with infants on BA compared to other airlines I find, possibly due to how the UK charges APD.

Edinburgh, United...
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18,178 posts
13 reviews
6 helpful votes
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"And, now, almost two weeks after the flight I have still not received a reply from BA."

3 weeks+ response time is quite normal with BA IME. My advice is to call them if you have something you that you want sorted quickly.

London, United...
Level Contributor
27,179 posts
25 reviews
47 helpful votes
10. Re: British Airways Refund
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4euros to book your seat with BA? 5 gbp to cover your time? Seriously? I am pretty sure this is a troll post.

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