Rip Off British Airways

[fbg40]

We had a holiday planned with a friend and his wife, tickets were bought from BA (Non refundable type). My friend is now in Hospital recovering from a quadruple by-pass!! and obviously cannot travel. I applied for a refund (some hope) but was told I could have just the taxes refunded. The taxes were �85.80. Wait for it - there was an administration fee of �60, leaving me with �25.80. By the way, the cost of a refundable ticket was �900. Do you think BA can afford to repay this vast amount of �25.80 ??
Your opinions would be appreciated.
FBG40

[NORMANTHEDOG]

did you not take out any insurance,on the holiday,if you dident,then you only have your self to blame,if you did then it will cover you,for cancellation.

[Salas]

Hey, if you knew the rules then there can be no complaint

[mushroom25]

the insurance will cover you - provided you declared your friend's condition, or if it was wholly unforseen.

[fbg40]

Thanks for your views. As stated in my question, I was aware that they were non refundable tickets, but unless you try - who knows ? My anger is with the cost of "Administration" fees - �30 per ticket !! Please don't say that you find this acceptable surely.
FBG40

[mushroom25]

I guess you clicked "I accept" to BA's terms and conditions at the time of booking, indicating that you had read and understood the conditions pertaining to your booking.

Whether the subsequent "administration fee" is acceptable or not, the fact remains you signed up to it. As in all cases of expenditure in return for services, "buyer beware".

[BenDToy]

I really don't understand your problem - you bought a non-refundable ticket, and still managed to get money back when you asked for a refund. Seems very generous of BA to me. It costs money for BA to process the tax refund, and then presumably to obtain their refund from the tax authorities. I don't think �30 per ticket is unreasonable for all that effort. Why should they stand that cost? And I bet that cost is clearly stated on the T&Cs. It certainly is on mine.
I would consider myself lucky to have got anything back at all.
Sorry if you don't like the answers we have all given, but you did ask for opinions.

[BenDToy]

By the way, you don't say how much your tickets were, but I guess they were significantly cheaper than �900. If you feel strongly about this, maybe you should pay the �900 next time. You pays your money, you takes your choice....!

[fbg40]

I'm not surprised that BA have just announced their profits, in excess �250 million. How does that grab you ?

[filthiestfis]

FBG40-I may be the only ABer that feels sympathy for you. I am amazed at how stupidly nasty some people on here can be. There is no way that it costs BA that much money to procees the tax refund. Yes-it is a "non-refundable" ticket, but you would expect some level of leniency in extreme cases like illness or death. Please don't anyone tel me that �900 is a reasonable price to pay for a flexible ticket-that is plain Bull $h!T

[filthiestfis]

FBG40-As an Aber for over 12 months now I can tell you that a minority of the people that post answers on here are like sharks circling water smelling your blood-dont expect any sympathy or understanding from these people!!!

[fbg40]

I'm glad that somebody agrees with me. What I forgot to mention is that the couple who are losing their money are both pensioners. Oh well, it takes all sorts I suppose.
FBG40

[fbg40]

This is to BenDtoy - would you pay �900 to fly to Gran Canaria if you survived on a pension, just to be sure that you would get a refund if the need arose ? To compound matters, they did have travel insurance, but the Ins Co went bust - the receivers are dealing with their claim, but don't hold out much hope.
FBG40