BA cancelled my ex-TLV flight in October--what are my rights and options?

[Agoldsc1]

I booked a 4:10 pm flight for me and my family (total 5 pax) from TLV to LHR in late October on business class using Avios. At that time, BA had two daily scheduled TLV-LHR flights-- a 6:30 am and a 4:10 pm (mine).

It looks like BA now removed the 4:10 flight from their schedule and therefore cancelled mine. LY has a direct flight that same day at 5:00 pm. I called BA asking to be put on the LY flight, but they said that my only options at this point are to be moved to the 6:30 am flight (which I really don't want to do with 3 little kids--would mean waking up at 2:30am), or obtain a refund (which I also don't want to do because I already have a flight back from LHR).

What I really want/need is to be moved to the 5:00 pm LY flight on that same day. Does anyone have any tips, trips, or advice?

Thanks!

[Ploni3]

HUCA.
You should be able to get onto LY if there is space.

[TzviR]

Definitely try to get rebooked to LY. LY has real J on that route as oppose to BA fake J.

[Agoldsc1]

Definitely try to get rebooked to LY. LY has real J on that route as oppose to BA fake J.

Yup and this flight is on a 777, which is supposed to be an even better product than their 787s. If I can get this for my original 25k Avios, it would be great.

But the person I spoke with was pretty adamantly against it, since their waiver only covers flights through 7/31. I told her that I am not asking for a move under the waiver, just due to the flight cancellation which could happen on any route at any time. But I think that ironically in this situation the waiver is working against me, because the agents see that I don't qualify, and then they are just focused on the waiver.

[Ploni3]

HUCA.
We had the issue with August flights and BA made the change despite the July 31 cut off date for the waiver.

[Agoldsc1]

HUCA.
We had the issue with August flights and BA made the change despite the July 31 cut off date for the waiver.

Great! This is helpful and encouraging. Did you just call their regular number?

[Ploni3]

Yes

[Agoldsc1]

Update: BA has now extended their waiver through October 25th, and I STILL can't get switched to El Al!

I've chatted and spoken with agents, and they both told me that the fare class is not available on El Al. I am booked on business class, and asked them to also check premium economy and regular economy, and they said that nothing is available on my travel date or even the following date. However, there are plenty of seats available for sale directly on El Al for all classes. . According to BA, this is an El Al issue because they are trying to hold seats to sell for cash.

Is it just me, or this ridiculous? Any ideas on how to proceed here? Is there a DOT equivalent in the UK or Israel? I'd really rather not take a 6am flight with 3 little kids.

Thanks!