Last minute plane downgrade due to engineering - Compensation?
#16
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Them also could have sent another aircraft with the same seatproduct, but may be for some economic reason them did not ! But this is in responsibility of the Airline, so them should pay a compensation.
By the way, my experience with SQ was different. Last March we were on a trip HKT-BKK-SIN-MLE, was an USair Award in Business class. SQ Airplane in BKK delayed due to tech. Problem more than 90 minutes. Pilote managed to park the aircraft next to the one flying to MLE. @ the aircraft door someone waited, piked us and said " we have to run them only wait 5 minutes for us " , but our luggage will not make it on that flight.
I agreed, and when we landed in MLE, already someone stand there with a paper with our names. Them sorry about our luggage and promised them will organize to bring it next day to the Island " CONRAD " we stayed. And then he handed over an envelope with 600 $ cash ( for the inconinience , we should buy some clothes.. ). I even not asked one word, and better them not could take care.
Last edited by bertheike; Jan 9, 2015 at 2:23 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2014
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Yes, as you say, they told you to "log a complaint". They did not tell you to log a compensation request.
I think you would be surprised how many people do not have a clue about hardware at all... I don't want to guess numbers, but I would be saying that perhaps more than 50% of people who book J class do not know anything about seats, service etc before they actually board.
And, IMHO, no it is not fair to get restitution. Just look at it differently. On the day of your flight. What would you prefer more: 1) to fly in old J, or 2) not to fly at all?
I think you would be surprised how many people do not have a clue about hardware at all... I don't want to guess numbers, but I would be saying that perhaps more than 50% of people who book J class do not know anything about seats, service etc before they actually board.
And, IMHO, no it is not fair to get restitution. Just look at it differently. On the day of your flight. What would you prefer more: 1) to fly in old J, or 2) not to fly at all?
Another way that I would put it is this: Assume that I have booked First on Virgin America. For whatever reason VX is not flying today (assume technical issues), but they can put me on DL's (regular domestic) First. Do I consider the two First products to be reasonable substitutes? Absolutely not. Granted, this is an unfair comparison in some respects (VX's First is, IMHO, "actually" first while DL's is a fancy-label Business Class product) but the point stands that the aircraft matters. In such a case, depending on my circumstances I'd want either a partial refund or the right to rebook on a later flight (assuming availability). Depending on the circumstances, I might even eat a night in a hotel for that reason.
#18
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
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^ That's the Point ! If them promote a specific product on the Website, them should deliver it. If I buy a " Granny Smith " and them give me a " Boscop " ( both are apples ) , but it's still different.
Them also could have sent another aircraft with the same seatproduct, but may be for some economic reason them did not ! But this is in responsibility of the Airline, so them should pay a compensation.
By the way, my experience with SQ was different. Last March we were on a trip HKT-BKK-SIN-MLE, was an USair Award in Business class. SQ Airplane in BKK delayed due to tech. Problem more than 90 minutes. Pilote managed to park the aircraft next to the one flying to MLE. @ the aircraft door someone waited, piked us and said " we have to run them only wait 5 minutes for us " , but our luggage will not make it on that flight.
I agreed, and when we landed in MLE, already someone stand there with a paper with our names. Them sorry about our luggage and promised them will organize to bring it next day to the Island " CONRAD " we stayed. And then he handed over an envelope with 600 $ cash ( for the inconinience , we should buy some clothes.. ). I even not asked one word, and better them not could take care.
Them also could have sent another aircraft with the same seatproduct, but may be for some economic reason them did not ! But this is in responsibility of the Airline, so them should pay a compensation.
By the way, my experience with SQ was different. Last March we were on a trip HKT-BKK-SIN-MLE, was an USair Award in Business class. SQ Airplane in BKK delayed due to tech. Problem more than 90 minutes. Pilote managed to park the aircraft next to the one flying to MLE. @ the aircraft door someone waited, piked us and said " we have to run them only wait 5 minutes for us " , but our luggage will not make it on that flight.
I agreed, and when we landed in MLE, already someone stand there with a paper with our names. Them sorry about our luggage and promised them will organize to bring it next day to the Island " CONRAD " we stayed. And then he handed over an envelope with 600 $ cash ( for the inconinience , we should buy some clothes.. ). I even not asked one word, and better them not could take care.
Depending on the circumstances, the price(s) paid, and anything affecting other reservations as part of a trip, the question you asked is actually a valid one...particularly if SQ is effectively charging a premium for flights with new J vs. old J. Yes, it is entirely possible that traveling was the preferred option...but especially on a relatively long itinerary like the one listed (13:25 in scheduled trip time) this sort of thing has room to matter. That itinerary is also not a super-cheap one as far as I can tell.
Another way that I would put it is this: Assume that I have booked First on Virgin America. For whatever reason VX is not flying today (assume technical issues), but they can put me on DL's (regular domestic) First. Do I consider the two First products to be reasonable substitutes? Absolutely not. Granted, this is an unfair comparison in some respects (VX's First is, IMHO, "actually" first while DL's is a fancy-label Business Class product) but the point stands that the aircraft matters. In such a case, depending on my circumstances I'd want either a partial refund or the right to rebook on a later flight (assuming availability). Depending on the circumstances, I might even eat a night in a hotel for that reason.
Another way that I would put it is this: Assume that I have booked First on Virgin America. For whatever reason VX is not flying today (assume technical issues), but they can put me on DL's (regular domestic) First. Do I consider the two First products to be reasonable substitutes? Absolutely not. Granted, this is an unfair comparison in some respects (VX's First is, IMHO, "actually" first while DL's is a fancy-label Business Class product) but the point stands that the aircraft matters. In such a case, depending on my circumstances I'd want either a partial refund or the right to rebook on a later flight (assuming availability). Depending on the circumstances, I might even eat a night in a hotel for that reason.
Yes, I agree that it is disappointing when the change of hardware happens and someone has to fly in older seat, but most of us usually have to fly on the selected flight and cannot afford to "eat a night in a hotel" due to commitments at the destination.
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 26
I'm still waiting a response from my note to see what they say.
#21
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Singapore
Posts: 2,314
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
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Posts: 14,203
You got to your destination. That's the no 1 point in my eyes. Doesn't matter what seat your travelled on. Yeah it's a bummer getting an inferior product than you thought you were getting but end of story. Sorry.
#23
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Singapore
Posts: 2,314
One wouldn't because British Airways business class is a crap experience. The OP clearly chose Singapore Airlines partly because of the hardware and the excellent seat that it is and he didn't get it.
I do not understand the clinging to Terms and Conditions and lack of sympathy with the OP.
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 26
Your logic is off. Then I would have purchased the crappiest economy ticket. I paid for a premium product, that is what I expected to get. Not to be baited and switched.
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 26
I disagree. For example if I wanted to fly from LON to SIN and just wanted to take Business Class with the view of just getting to my destination then why wouldn't I just take the cheapest non-stop which is probably BA.
One wouldn't because British Airways business class is a crap experience. The OP clearly chose Singapore Airlines partly because of the hardware and the excellent seat that it is and he didn't get it.
I do not understand the clinging to Terms and Conditions and lack of sympathy with the OP.
One wouldn't because British Airways business class is a crap experience. The OP clearly chose Singapore Airlines partly because of the hardware and the excellent seat that it is and he didn't get it.
I do not understand the clinging to Terms and Conditions and lack of sympathy with the OP.
#26
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Programs: some
Posts: 71,419
No one is denying you can ask for compensation. However people are pointing out that SQ is not obliged to compensate you for the aircraft substitution. Sorry this is not the response you wanted to get, but that doesn't make it wrong.
#27
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
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#28
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,533
Guess the point of contention is whether a particular type of business class service (with flat beds, leather seats, etc.) forms part of the carriage contract. Undeniably these do not appear in the conditions of carriage and airlines protect themselves well by ensuring they contain the small print to "reserve the right to substitute aircraft for operational reasons".
But if the airline publicizes widely a particular type of service on a particular route, and it's the main swaying factor for someone to choose that airline over its competition, then arguably it should be a condition precedent and that carries some legal ground.
Only way to find out is for someone to take the airline to court to provide a precedent judgement.
But if the airline publicizes widely a particular type of service on a particular route, and it's the main swaying factor for someone to choose that airline over its competition, then arguably it should be a condition precedent and that carries some legal ground.
Only way to find out is for someone to take the airline to court to provide a precedent judgement.
#29
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
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#30
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Posts: 5,128
You purchased a decent J product and got ripped off and cheated by getting an absolutely substandard, ridiculous excuse for a J product instead.
It's not a question of legal issues or contracts. If you purchased the product offered and got crap in return then as a customer you will never deal with Singapore Airlines again. Even if you don't take them to court - like most people cheated by the Singaporean carrier probably wouldn't - those people will always treat Singapore Airlines like thieves and never fly with them again.