An unexpected envelope arrived at my house this morning…it was only 10 months late and not even addressed to me.
I’ve written about the British Airways fuel surcharge settlement in the past. In short, a lawsuit contended that British Airways’ fuel surcharges were disproportionate to the price of fuel and therefore BA was overcharging consumers. Rather than litigate on the merits of the case, BA settled.
The offer was for either cash or Avios. The cash portion was 16.9% of total fuel surcharges paid over a period from November 2006 to April 2013.
For me, that came to 12,500 Avios or $221.88.
Way back in June 2018 I chose the cash settlement.
And waited.
And waited.
It only took 16 months, but the check finally arrived today.
You’ll note that it arrived crumpled and clearly damaged by water. It also has a postmark of December 21, 2018.
But at least two small problems. First, the check was made out to Anne Goldstein, not me. Does anyone know an Anne Goldstein? Second, the check says void after March 21, 2019. Small problem: today is October 17, 2019…
I’m going to reach out to the settlement fund and see if I am out of luck or if my check can be re-issued. That is, if I can reach them.
The fuel surcharge settlement website is no longer active.
I guess I could try to deposit the check…
CONCLUSION
Well, that is disappointing. Honestly, I had forgotten all about this little payment. Perhaps I should have chosen Avios…
> Read More: British Airways Class Action Settlement: Why I’m Taking Cash Not Avios
> Read More: How To Claim Your British Airways Lawsuit Cash Settlement
Consider taking an image and depositing it that way electronically.
Mine was over $1k and arrived perfectly in late December. Very odd.
Probably not worth the hours you will inevitably spend trying to get someone to replace it. That sucks, Matthew.
What’s a check?
Can’t wrap my head around it either… everyone in the US uses credit card. What is so darn difficult about electronic payments and deposits. I think it all comes down to (in this case BA or their insurance) to hope that people will lose it or forget about it.
However, I had a question Matthew. Is that envelope addressed to “Anne Goldstein” without an actual street name, city and/or zip? Or is that little QR code supposed to have all the necessary information? Never seen something like that before.
@HChris: I photoshopped the check number as well my home address out. It was properly addressed to my home.
@Peter: Checque?
Careful.
If that check bounces after attempting to cash it because of the expiration date, your bank will charge you for a $35 fee or more.
Nothing more insulting that cashing a check after expiration that’s worthless, and then on top of getting $0, your bank *charges* you $35 for the transaction.
Learned my lesson from doing that years ago.
Then again, that’s even if they’ll let you cash a check at your bank with someone else’s name on it.
Might that be one of your clients?
Nope.
Speaking of settlements, what’s the latest on the story with the Aeroplan Swiss First award? Could anyone share the link to the latest post on this? IIRC there would be an update published eventually?
My goodness, a check?? Last one I saw must have been in 1978. Are they still in use over there???
wowwww
Kind of Amish style banking I guess
Why not send it back to Settlement Fund back in Seattle with a “sincere” note how delayed it was and to the wrong recipient. Maybe someone will use some common sense and make good on it.
I’ll do that before I try to cash it.