US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Bumped (& abused) on award travel

I had a FC award ticket for travel from NYC to SCL. The FC ticket was issued by USAIR for travel on Star Alliance partner VARIG. I arrived at the airport for my return flight at 1:30 for my scheduled 3:20 departure. But, I was told that the flight had been moved up to 2pm and it was too late for me to board. Varig stuck me in a crappy hotel and flew me out the next day in BC instead of FC. It seems there was a communication messup between Varig and USAIR and I was not informed of the change. :td: To be fair, USAIR did call me before I left to tell me my outbound flight was changed, but they never told me my return flight changed.

I just got off the phone with USAIR Consumer Affairs and they aren't offering me much compensation. The roundtrip cost me 100kmiles. They are offering me only 10k for the downgrade from FC to BC and just an additional 5k for my inconvenience and good will. 15k total compensation for being delayed more than 24hours and downgrade in class! :mad: Am I crazy or is that outrageous?

What's worse is that I got food poisoning from the water in Santiago's FC lounge! :eek:

Does anyone have any advice on how I can get more compensation from USAIR? Should I write to the president? Has anyone had any success in these situations?

Take the 15k and the write Varig a letter. USairways is compensating you for the downgraded ticket you "purchased" from them.

I don't see that they owe you anymore (USairways), if you have a Customer Service issue with your Varig flight, contact Varig!

I agree. Take the 15k and complain to VARIG, and always make sure to check flight times with the airline you're flying.

You have a bone to pick with Varig not US Airways. US Airways has done all the can to compensate you and they have been very fair. Your true complaint needs to go to Varig.

Always, always, always check flight times the day before. Especially internationally, reconfirm your reservation 48 hours in advance. There is no such thing as being overly cautious with this, especially when traveling on an award ticket that may have been issued months in advance.

I think you did pretty well all things considered -- you missed your flight, they put you up for the night, got you home in Business (better than Y!), and USAirways is going to let you have almost the business class award price even though you got to fly down in F.

I agree, having to spend an extra 24 hours when you aren't prepared to do it sucks, but so is getting food poisioning. But for both of these issues you need to write Varig.

Keep us posted on the outcome please, because it is interesting.