URGENT BA check in

[Asiama]

HELP! BA wants me to upload my proof of vaccination before I am allowed to check in. I was vaccinated in the EU and have a certificate from the EU Covid pass app, however, BA won't accept it as proof so won't let me check in. No one is answering the phone and social media response will take 24 hours. My flight is tomorrow morning. Does anyone else have any ideas to get them to approve the vaccination? Thank you.

I don’t know the answer but if you go to flyertalk there is a BA specific board and they will be able to help.

I think there are issues with online check in anyway at the moment. I wasn’t able to check in on line last week and mentioned it to someone who said it’s an issue at the moment - I wonder if it’s because the system isn’t set up to accept vaccine info. I was vaccinated in the uk so have the NHS app proof.

I’ve just flown BA and yes there is an issue with online documents

so basically have hard copies or on your phone ready and the staff just check them quickly in person ? Don’t forget to charge your phone and maybe have a copy on a second device

Yes online check in is very flakey at the moment. I did manage to get through to BA's customer service line last week when I had a client with this problem, and they said just to check in at the airport. Just leave plenty of time and you should be fine.

Yeh for check in they send some link suggesting you use the Verify app but it didn’t work for me.

So I brought all my stuff and turned up early to Heathrow. BA also wouldn’t let me change my flight dates online OR over the phone for ages I had to get lucky on a day 🙈😬

Also please check what you need to get back into the UK (ie day 2 day 8 tests) as I’ve just got stung for £50 due to not booking in advance!

Also think about where you’re organising the negative test to get back into the UK (less than 3 days before flight)

And the UK passenger locator form - have a look at this so you know what you have to do in advance?

Again, they’re “meant to” be able to scan the code on vaccine proof letter but it didn’t work so you just bring the paper copy to the airport and they glance at it!

You will just have to check in at the airport rather than online. They will accept these at check in, in person.

Oh thank you so much everyone! I knew Mumsnet would come through! I thought it was me doing something wrong. I'll make sure I get to the airport early tomorrow.

Next trip back to the UK is on 5 Nov. Let's see if I can have a day 2 antigen test instead of a PCR!

Glad it’s (probably)resolved, FWIW agree with the advice you’ve had:

On-line check in may be a bit flaky/is not available for some routes…

The Verifly app - I’ve got it to work is with my EU (French) generated paperwork but TBH the app sometimes functions as advertised, sometimes it doesn’t and it can leave you hanging for hours waiting for the hoped for green tick. It wasn’t essential that it was used last time I flew with BA and I’m not sure using it saved that much time….

In any event paper copies of certificate(s) at airport at check in or at the gate should be acceptable.

@notimagain I tried using Verifly but it only gives me the choice of two air lines in the drop down, American Airlines or Aer Lingus. Can't work out why, maybe Verifly is not available on all routes?

Just check in at airport - the staff will be able to help, don't even try to use the machines and SpringlikeBunk I don't think there's testing before you come back any more - it was stopped today I believe?

Just check in at the airport

We had problems with online check in at the weekend, and the check in staff said that it’s been really unreliable recently, and most people are checking in at the airport, especially for flights returning to thr UK

I just printed my vaccine record on paper and checked in at the airport. As long as you get there in plenty of time it should be fine.

Make sure you leave plenty of time. We flew back via BA a few weeks ago and the online check in hasn't worked for anyone so we were queuing for two hours. 'Luckily' our flight was delayed for five hours so it didn't matter...

@Asiama

HELP! BA wants me to upload my proof of vaccination before I am allowed to check in. I was vaccinated in the EU and have a certificate from the EU Covid pass app, however, BA won't accept it as proof so won't let me check in. No one is answering the phone and social media response will take 24 hours. My flight is tomorrow morning. Does anyone else have any ideas to get them to approve the vaccination? Thank you.

Go to headforpoints daily thread for today and ask

Verifly isn't available on all routes, I was very confused when they sent me that as it worked Madrid to London, but not London to Madrid...

Have you used the VeriFLY app?
Flew BA last week to Canada and back today and both required VeriFLY to check in

@Vancouverorbust

Have you used the VeriFLY app? Flew BA last week to Canada and back today and both required VeriFLY to check in

Sorry saw that you can’t Where are you flying too? There is a check in bag drop at LHr from 4pm - 9pm each evening the day before, in the family check in zone

Verifly is not great. As PPs note above, not all options are covered (I couldn't use outbound, but could return to Ireland).

I just went to check in desks at both ends. Didn't do the online check in prior (forgot!!). They are very helpful and you can just do it all with them (boarding card and bag check).

I didn't get asked to show my vaccination cert.

I didn't do a passenger location form outwards (to UK), as I couldn't get the verifly to work and it was all to complicated. For return, I googled PLF + country and just did whatever online form came up.

So... it's all easier in the flesh than it seems when confronted with all the apps/forms/etc. They also don't ask to view PLFs or vaccination certs in my experience (could be the UK-Ireland thing though).

Also, as a PP said upthread, I think I heard that as long as you are fully vaccinated, you don't need a negative test too. Make sure you check with the UK gov website for whichever country you'll be returning from.

@bestbefore

Oh good point - @Asiama the rules changed today 🙄😬

so check what’s needed to get back in as there may be random stuff to do in advance and it’s harder and more expensive if you do it at the last minute (laughs bitterly)

@Vancouverorbust

Have you used the VeriFLY app? Flew BA last week to Canada and back today and both required VeriFLY to check in

I know BA are keen to push the app but I’m surprised it being a requirement…from what I’ve seen/heard some check-in staff like it seemingly as an arbiter, or as a time saver..and I know some people like it as a bit of a belt and braces checklist, but according to BA.com

“ VeriFLY is a third-party travel readiness app, provided by Daon. Using this third-party service is optional. You’ll be able to present a test certificate and other documentation at check-in if you prefer.”

www.britishairways.com/en-fr/information/incident/coronavirus/entry-requirements

Just to update, all went well at the airport, phew! Thank you all.