10 August 2010

Lazy Marketing - British Airways Style


I like to think the best of people and organizations. Its perhaps a naive belief that people don't actively do wrong but getting lazy means that some just don't try hard enough to do what is right.

So allow me to pick on British Airways today.

BA knows a lot about me. It knows my favorite airport (I explicitly filled out a form that stated that). It knows my email address. Heck it even knows to force the use of a particular browser to open the email.

So why does it persist in sending me an offer that is a flagrant come on?

So here are the "restrictions" as indicated by the asterisk.


TERMS AND CONDITIONS


1. Offer can be booked online at ba.com (flights only and discounted Hotels) or through a travel agent (flights only). If you book through a British Airways call center, you will be charged an additional $20 per ticket for processing.
2. $249 World Traveller (economy) fare shown is each-way based on round-trip, 7-day advance purchase, non-refundable, select economy class midweek (Monday-Wednesday) fares for outbound travel October 21 – December 19, 2010. from New York to London on British Airways services only.
3. World Traveller (economy) fares are from select US gateways to London on
British Airways services only for outbound travel September 02 – October 20, 2010 and October 21 – December 19, 2010.
4. The 2 free nights hotel accommodation is based on double, triple or quad occupancy at participating hotels for a maximum of 2 free nights, which must be taken on consecutive nights at the same hotel. The discount offer must be booked in the same transaction as round-trip transatlantic British Airways airfare, originating in the US only for travel September 02, 2010 – December 19, 2010. Single occupants are entitled to a maximum of 1 free night at participating hotels.
5. Fares may be higher from other US gateways and to other destinations.
6. Fares do not include government fees and taxes of approximately $165 and a $2.50 September 11th Security Fee.
7. $30 weekend travel surcharge (Thursday - Sunday) applies in each direction.
8. For new bookings only made August 10 - 19, 2010.
9. Refunds from previously purchased higher fare types not permitted.
10. 7-day advance purchase required.
11. Minimum stay is Saturday night. Maximum stay is 11 months.
12. Changes to flight only itineraries booked in World Traveller (economy) are permitted, prior to the ticketed departure time of each flight for a fee of $275, subject to availability. The itinerary will be re-priced using fares in effect on the date the ticket is reissued and must meet all rule provisions of the newly ticketed fare.
13. Any changes to your hotel booking during the promotional period will be subject to a $25 amendment fee per change, per booking and are subject to availability. If changed travel dates result in higher rates, you will be charged the additional amount.
14. Any changes to your hotel booking after the promotional period will result in you forfeiting the free nights offer and your booking will be re-priced at the published rates at that time.
15. Please refer to airfare rules of flights selected before completion of payment.
16. Executive Club members can earn BA Miles per the terms and conditions of the
Executive Club.
17. Infant without seat will pay 10% of adult fare. Child discount will allow for a child to pay 80% of the adult fare.
18. Unaccompanied minors permitted for a $75 surcharge each way for flight only bookings.
19. Open to US residents paying in US dollars only, with travel originating in the US.
20. Subject to availability.
21. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
22. Other significant restrictions may apply.

And let's not forget the email was unsolicited. And yet they ask - er - let me correct that - they TELL me that this is confidential and then threatens me thus.

This email is intended solely for the addressee(s) and the information it contains is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient (a) please delete this email and inform the sender as soon as possible, and (b) any copying, distribution or other action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon it is prohibited and may be unlawful.

C'mon BA - let's play nice. You can do a WHOLE lot better than this.

So here is the actual lowest price - I have highlighted Seattle.



Start by taking the extra time and telling me what the REAL airfare is from my home airport, not NYC.

Cheers

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