I will say that with the slow (and thus financially troubling, for the airline industry) fall and winter travel season upon us, I think folks would be wise to book away from Alitalia flights -- and to absolutely not book on AZ ticket stock unless travel is immediate -- at least until after the relaunch transactions are complete.
I will say that with the slow (and thus financially troubling, for the airline industry) fall and winter travel season upon us, I think folks would be wise to book away from Alitalia flights -- and to absolutely not book on AZ ticket stock unless travel is immediate -- at least until after the relaunch transactions are complete.
People have been saying this for ages but AZ continues to fly. As long as you take sensible precautions (book on credit card, check your insurance cover...) I don't think you should be too worried.
I want to book a long haul with AZ in C class(min. 1000 euros cheaper than other alternatives) , but both Amex and/or Visa, in Spain, do not cover the posible loss if the airline ceases operations.
Do you know where this could be insured?
Thanks,
Last edited by saviox; Oct 29, 08 at 3:51 am.
Reason: wrong signs(should be thumb down!)
I want to book a long haul with AZ in C class(min. 1000 euros cheaper than other alternatives) , but both Amex and/or Visa, in Spain, do not cover the posible loss if the airline ceases operations.
Do you know where this could be insured?
Thanks,
I thought booking with a credit card was always safe.
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Originally Posted by UA Fan
I thought booking with a credit card was always safe.
US and UK have specific laws that protect consumers when paying by credit card. Other countries do not have this consumer protection, e.g. if you pay by CC in Germany and the airline goes under then you have lost your money.
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Careful if flying AZ at month's end - assuming the relaunch transactions are completed on schedule, a period of total cessation of operations will be required in order to effect a legal discontinuity between Old Alitalia and New Alitalia.
The crux of the problem is whether it is true that a CC standard travel protection insurance maintains its validity even AFTER an airline files for bankruptcy. After all the insurance is usually provided on behalf of the credit card company by an outside supplier and their cover terms generally conform to industry-wide advisory bodies instructions on the issue of claims from defaulting third parties which have previously filed for bankruptcy. IPP (world-wide market leader in providing financial failure products to the travel industry) for instance has already excluded AZ from the airlines to which financial failure cover applies as from March 2008).
Perhaps there are some insurance legal eagles out there willing to shed light on this controversial point?
The crux of the problem is whether it is true that a CC standard travel protection insurance maintains its validity even AFTER an airline files for bankruptcy. After all the insurance is usually provided on behalf of the credit card company by an outside supplier and their cover terms generally conform to industry-wide advisory bodies instructions on the issue of claims from defaulting third parties which have previously filed for bankruptcy. IPP (world-wide market leader in providing financial failure products to the travel industry) for instance has already excluded AZ from the airlines to which financial failure cover applies as from March 2008).
Perhaps there are some insurance legal eagles out there willing to shed light on this controversial point?
The short answer is that such protection would depend on contract terms and the lgeal rules that apply in the particular jurisdiction. There's no one-size-fits-all rule or doctrine that applies in such circumstances.
People have been saying this for ages but AZ continues to fly. As long as you take sensible precautions (book on credit card, check your insurance cover...) I don't think you should be too worried.
...but now Alitalia is becoming increasingly "unhinged" as an operation. At a minimum, pax should book AZ tickets through other airline ticket stock to the maximum extent possible, so that the issuing carrier -- which likely has its act together -- will be able to do the reprotect instead of waiting in line for hours to deal with an AZ agent who probably isn't operating from good information and may be unhelpful besides.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HeathrowGuy
...but now Alitalia is becoming increasingly "unhinged" as an operation. At a minimum, pax should book AZ tickets through other airline ticket stock to the maximum extent possible, so that the issuing carrier -- which likely has its act together -- will be able to do the reprotect instead of waiting in line for hours to deal with an AZ agent who probably isn't operating from good information and may be unhelpful besides.
Sounds advise. Also the ticketing carrier is responsible in a case AZ (or whatever the new code is going to be) eventually go under.
Striking Alitalia staff have hit back at the airline's management, saying hundreds of flight cancellations over the last week have been due to Alitalia's need to cut costs rather than their own industrial action.
I'm ever more thankful that my 30NOV Alitalia flights were booked through NWA, so I have the protection of an airline that actually (more or less) has its stuff together should AZ continue this way of doing business at that time.
The closing of the sale of Alitalia's best assets has been delayed because the CAI investors' consortium is unable to raise and deliver the funds before December 12, a source close to the matter said.
