I just want to buy a *ucking melon!!!!

We needed to change our flight date from Tahiti to New Zealand. I must have had this same email from both BA and Trailfinders a zillion times over - each passing the buck to the other:

Subject: Re: Your email to British Airways (KMM5486502V76723L0KM)
From: "British Airways (UK)"
Reply-To: "British Airways (UK)"


Dear Dana,

We were sorry to hear of your problems while travelling with us. Please
let me explain our policy.

If a customer arranges travel directly with BA and subsequently
discovers an irregularity with their travel documents which
require a change to their reservation , we will always do what we can
to assist.

Where reservations and ticketing have been done by a travel agency, any
requests for changes or refunds must be made to that agent. BA is
unable to intervene. Nor will we become involved in any disagreements
that may arise between passengers and agencies. In such disputes
consumer rights are determined by local laws in your area.

I must ask that you redirect your request to the agency involved with
your booking.

I hope this clarifies the position and is helpful to you.

Thank you for contacting us.

Dhara

My reply:

Dear Dhara

The travel agent concerned are sending us back to you ...so we are back
in the same spot again...unable to change our tickets as we were promised.
AT THE BOTTOM OF OUR ITINERARY IT STATES THAT BA WILL CHANGE OUR FLIGHTS IF NEEDED!!!!!! I shall bare the shoddy treatment we have had from both
you and Trail Finders in mind next time I am choosing an airline, both for
personal and professional reasons. In case you think you are dealing with
an 18 year old that would not be able to afford to buy BA flights other
than on a round the world ticket you are wrong. I shall make sure that
as many people as possible know how badly we have been treated by you, so
that they can avoid you at all costs.
Thanks for nothing
Dana

If you think that last email was harsh, think again. This is the last of about 10 messages - it finally did the trick. The earlier 9 were polite and got nowhere. If you are reading this hoping to do a similar trip BEWARE – you will be told not to worry too much about flight dates in advance because they can be changed really easily, but it’s not true. It will depend on the airline, but our experience so far is that they will make it as difficult as they possibly can. Rant over.