Not a good start to Premium Economy
#31
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
Oh Ken. People who don't follow your posts on here would really lose their mind reading your posts. I, for one, laugh wholeheartedly when you post. Awesome stuff ^
#32
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, Accor Platinum, AC50K
Posts: 2,927
I think your question shows why there's a problem.
These numbers are somewhat made up, but reflect what I've seen on AC.com several times:
Tango: $1100
Flex: $2000
Latitude: $3000
Premium Economy (lowest): $1175
What fare difference do you want refunded? At most, you'd be entitled to $75. But you were probably rebooked into Flex.
Now, I'm not saying this is reasonable, but the pricing doesn't make it easy to give a refund.
These numbers are somewhat made up, but reflect what I've seen on AC.com several times:
Tango: $1100
Flex: $2000
Latitude: $3000
Premium Economy (lowest): $1175
What fare difference do you want refunded? At most, you'd be entitled to $75. But you were probably rebooked into Flex.
Now, I'm not saying this is reasonable, but the pricing doesn't make it easy to give a refund.
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
And a contract is a contract. But then they believe they are above the law. and a bunch of whimps let them get away with it. So why wouldn't they try?
#35
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Join Date: Sep 2014
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Posts: 18,877
It seems some of you missed a few minor details about what happened when AC swapped out the 788 for aircraft without a PE cabin.
So, reposting with a little bit of bold.
A year ago, AC had a pretty decent Europe promo mileage bonus with an extra bump if you bought PE or J. So I bought PE tickets to LHR for seats on the new 788.
One day, I was checking the AC.com site and saw that PE was no longer available on my flight, and that the equipment was switched to a 330. I was mildly annoyed as AC NEVER called or sent me an email, advising that the cabin where I purchased seats was no longer available.
I called AC and the agent who answered was unfamiliar with what to do, put me on hold, probably called the resource desk etc etc. He comes back and says yes, there was a change and you can sit in Y and we'll refund you $400.
I don't think so.
I paid substantially more for a PE seat and the refund of $400 would still meant that I would have overpaid for a Y seat relative to what I would have paid had I wished to buy Y in the first place at the time of booking.
I said no and was given a full refund.
It was only sheer luck that I noticed the equipment change. There have been numerous posts on this forum form those who were not notified and thus did not know in advance and by the time they did find out, it was too late to cancel and book something else.
My experience was a year ago and AC now has 8 - 788s. It is not a large number, and yes, eventually the 789s will arrive. There will always be equipment swaps for whatever reason and seasonal route adjustments.
If I buy PE, I check the flight frequently to see if there was a swap, and yes, I am well aware some can be last-minute. Beyond that, maybe for some pax it is too risky to buy PE unless they can be sure their seats will still be there why they fly.
One day, I was checking the AC.com site and saw that PE was no longer available on my flight, and that the equipment was switched to a 330. I was mildly annoyed as AC NEVER called or sent me an email, advising that the cabin where I purchased seats was no longer available.
I called AC and the agent who answered was unfamiliar with what to do, put me on hold, probably called the resource desk etc etc. He comes back and says yes, there was a change and you can sit in Y and we'll refund you $400.
I don't think so.
I paid substantially more for a PE seat and the refund of $400 would still meant that I would have overpaid for a Y seat relative to what I would have paid had I wished to buy Y in the first place at the time of booking.
I said no and was given a full refund.
It was only sheer luck that I noticed the equipment change. There have been numerous posts on this forum form those who were not notified and thus did not know in advance and by the time they did find out, it was too late to cancel and book something else.
My experience was a year ago and AC now has 8 - 788s. It is not a large number, and yes, eventually the 789s will arrive. There will always be equipment swaps for whatever reason and seasonal route adjustments.
If I buy PE, I check the flight frequently to see if there was a swap, and yes, I am well aware some can be last-minute. Beyond that, maybe for some pax it is too risky to buy PE unless they can be sure their seats will still be there why they fly.
So,
If AC is offering to sell a seat in a cabin which is then not available at flight time, you need to tell those who bought the seats. There are only 21 of them. How hard can it be?
(obviously just a minor hassle if you're have not begun your trip. Kind of SOL if you're overseas and the inbound aircraft is not what was planned and your seat is n/a then, but I'm with Mr. Peever on the EU rule)
I.M.H.O.
#37
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Delta, BC
Posts: 1,646
How often does AC notify any passenger of any change in advance? Extremely rare in my experience. So, it must be VERY hard from AC's perspective.
#38
Join Date: May 2001
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SEMM
Posts: 2,072
I called AC and the agent who answered was unfamiliar with what to do, put me on hold, probably called the resource desk etc etc. He comes back and says yes, there was a change and you can sit in Y and we'll refund you $400.
I don't think so.
I paid substantially more for a PE seat and the refund of $400 would still meant that I would have overpaid for a Y seat relative to what I would have paid had I wished to buy Y in the first place at the time of booking.
I said no and was given a full refund.
I don't think so.
I paid substantially more for a PE seat and the refund of $400 would still meant that I would have overpaid for a Y seat relative to what I would have paid had I wished to buy Y in the first place at the time of booking.
I said no and was given a full refund.
#39
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Join Date: Sep 2014
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Posts: 18,877
Everything is hard.
There was a similar debate in another thread with comments suggesting that if PE cabin is n/a, AC should offer upgrade to J. None of us are naive to think the seas will part, Moses will show up and we all get PE=J
I'm just suggesting they figure it out and not be silly and offer me a $400 refund on a seat that I bought while putting me in a seat that costs way less than the difference in prices.
#40
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Location: YVR
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Posts: 4,644
#42
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Posts: 18,877
#43
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,153
AC has stated in no uncertain terms that they consider PE to be equivalent to Flex fare (not even latitude) on a SDC. Using that reasoning, same would apply to a downgauge. Their reasoning? Fare price paid. Lol. So next time you get a cheap J fare you might see yourself being moved to Y because "your original fare is so cheap, why would you expect anything else!"
Of course that's total and utter nonsense, but I gave up fighting with these idiots about it as in my case it only involved some eUPs.
Of course that's total and utter nonsense, but I gave up fighting with these idiots about it as in my case it only involved some eUPs.
Last edited by tcook052; Mar 29, 2015 at 10:26 pm
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 12
Just to lighten the mood
Thanks for all the posts and information. I thought I would lighten the mood a bit with this. Enjoy ...
http://youtu.be/BMAV4xjnLQQ
http://youtu.be/BMAV4xjnLQQ