Hi Fodorites.I booked a flight for my girlfriend and I with BA on their website sometime in June.This was suppose to be a suprise for her as I was planning for us to go away at New Years.It is important to stress here that I paid on my credit card for the flights.Just afew days ago she receives a letter in HER name from BA telling her that the the schedule for the flights that she booked have been altered.They quote the booking reference no. and a telephone no. to contact them.Luckily they did not mention the flight details or destination.So when I phone BA they said that they send out letters alphabetically.So if I made the booking on my card ,why did they send my girlfriend the letter regardless whose name comes first in the alphabet and as this booking was made on the internet why didnt they e-mail me about any changes? To say I was pi**sed off is putting it mildly.I could cancel the flight with BA and book with acheaper airline like Buzz but their prices have increased to BA prices so thats not an opotion. So any suggestions how could complain.What would u do or as friend told me im overeacting and should just accept what has happened.Thanks 4 listening.

You are over reacting -- just be glad they notified you, many airlines have trouble even doing that. Relax you will live longer.

That's a shame, Dev! But I think this one falls into the "s**t happens" category. Can't really fault BA for notifying its passengers of a change. And it's a bit much to ask them to manage your ticket at the level of "surprising my girlfriend -- please don't notify her".<BR><BR>So my advice is to let it go and have a fabulous trip. As the saying goes, "This hill is not worth dying for."

I would bet that you provided your girl friend's name & address to BA. To avoid this problem if the situation ever arises again, you need to make the reservation giving 2 names but only one address and phone number---yours. It would be logged by BA as a party of two in your name.

Forgot to add that if indeed BA had your friend's name & address (which they clearly did), then they were only doing their job. It is incumbent on them to notify all the passengers of a flight change. I'd say they did just what they should have done.

The others are right Dev. BA was doing the right thing notifying passengers about the Sched change. They have hundreds of thousands of passengers every day - how on earth could they be expected to keep (or even know about) your surprise?<BR><BR>Chill

Thanks for the replies so far. They only have my address and u have to state the passengers names.

Have to agree with the others. How is BA supposed to know it was a surprise? Now, I have my own issues with BA's customer service, but this situation sounds like good customer service to me.

Dev, Think about it. They could not notify your girlfriend if all they have is her name. BA is not going to send notification letters to all the "Susan Smiths" in the United States who MIGHT be your girlfriend. Something is missing here. Maybe you should cancel your flight---that would really surprise your girlfriend!

Actually, I'm with Dev on this. i did this with BA a few years ago for my husband's 40th, and they did very well. I told them it was a surprise and got us nearly into London, before an overhelpful steward advised that the Rome plane was late so there was no hurry for the connection.<BR><BR>I don't think it's a big deal (I hate them for a LOT worse than this), but I don't think they should have done it.

I think this isn't much to complain about, I would be thrilled if airlines notified me of changes. <BR><BR>It sounds like Dev and his girlfriend live together and so they sent a letter to the passenger's name at that address and she got it. Dev didn't even say he had discussed it with BA and told them it was a surprise, he's just complaining because BA sent a letter to a passenger, I guess.<BR><BR>I think buying airline tickets is something that a lot of people don't understand -- for security reasons, it's different than other products, and that's why they have to know the exact passenger's name, they can't just have you buy two tickets and you give one to whomever you want. This also affects assignability, I believe, but I"ve never had to do this so don't know the details.

We just returned from London BA and had a wonderful experience. Got upgraded to Business just for asking, and the service was impeccable--food good, and seats marvelous--you can actually lie down. So stop complaining.

So, Dev, lighten up and enjoy the prepartions and anticipation of a great holiday. The same happened to me a number of years ago about the Rose Bowl--not the airlines but a careless friend who didn't know it was a surprize. Anyway, you'll live longer if you chill and maybe you'll have a better trip if you both plan it together. (or my mother would say that's what you get for "living in sin.") Have fun--you'll have a great time. If you want to surprise her, buy her a small something to take on the trip or order flowers/champagne for the room.

An airline ticket belongs to the person whose exact name is on it. For example, as a secretary I just tried to change a return internet purchased ticket day/time but was not allowed to. The person themselves has to call the airlines directly and make the request for change.<BR><BR>Point being, once you bought it, the ticket belongs to your girlfriend. And BA was simply doing their job.<BR><BR>Sorry they ruined the surprise but if this is the biggest problem you run into on a trip to Europe, I'd consider myself extremely lucky ;-)<BR><BR>Warm regards & happy trails...