Travel question of the day: Simon Calder on switching flights

Have a travel question? Ask our expert Simon Calder

Santiago de Chile

Q We have booked a cruise to South America and Antarctica in January 2017, flying out in business class to Santiago in Chile and back from Buenos Aires in Argentina. The outward flight is on British Airways from Heathrow to Madrid then Iberia to Santiago. I have since found out that BA will start a direct flight to Santiago from 3 January 2017. The agent said that as the flight had been ticketed the tickets would be non-refundable and I could not opt for the new direct route without losing the full cost of the tickets. Can you tell me if this is correct or am I being fobbed off to save them some work?

Bob Rowlands

A How infuriating. As you know, British Airways and Iberia of Spain are sister companies within the IAG group. With the welcome news that BA is launching the first non-stop flights between the UK and Chile, you might imagine it would be easy to switch from the one-stop via Madrid to the direct service. On such a long haul, making the trip in one go will significantly reduce fatigue – and I daresay it is something for which you would gladly pay a premium. But we have to assume the agent is telling the truth.

A couple of observations that may be of use. First, for an off-peak cruise and flight such as the one you are planning, I wouldn’t even think of booking until perhaps two months ahead. I don’t believe there’s much to be gained by buying early: the cruise and the business-class cabin won’t be sold out by Christmas. And while the chances are very much that your trip will go ahead as booked, all too often I hear about changed circumstances which mean a planned holiday has to be cancelled.

Second, if you have any significant time in Madrid between flights, take the short Metro trip to the village of Barajas, where you can enjoy a drink and a meal on the lovely main square before the long haul to the far side of South America.

Every day, our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder