Involuntary Downgrade Compensation Offer Question
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 168
Involuntary Downgrade Compensation Offer Question
I was involuntarily downgraded on a United Award ticket on Thai Air Royal First Class to business class in the beginning of August on a FRA to BKK flight. This led to myself and wife sitting in different classes of the plane.
Per the advice of the gate agent, I contacted Thai Air for compensation and today I received an email which stated, "
With regard to your Downgrading Compensation, we have asked our Los Angeles office to arrange payment to you in the amount of USD300".
Does anyone think this is fair or unfair based on their experiences or what they heard and what is the best way to handle this to request a more favorable offer?
I appreciate your input.
Per the advice of the gate agent, I contacted Thai Air for compensation and today I received an email which stated, "
With regard to your Downgrading Compensation, we have asked our Los Angeles office to arrange payment to you in the amount of USD300".
Does anyone think this is fair or unfair based on their experiences or what they heard and what is the best way to handle this to request a more favorable offer?
I appreciate your input.
#2
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 945
I was involuntarily downgraded on a United Award ticket on Thai Air Royal First Class to business class in the beginning of August on a FRA to BKK flight. This led to myself and wife sitting in different classes of the plane.
Per the advice of the gate agent, I contacted Thai Air for compensation and today I received an email which stated, "
With regard to your Downgrading Compensation, we have asked our Los Angeles office to arrange payment to you in the amount of USD300".
Does anyone think this is fair or unfair based on their experiences or what they heard and what is the best way to handle this to request a more favorable offer?
I appreciate your input.
Per the advice of the gate agent, I contacted Thai Air for compensation and today I received an email which stated, "
With regard to your Downgrading Compensation, we have asked our Los Angeles office to arrange payment to you in the amount of USD300".
Does anyone think this is fair or unfair based on their experiences or what they heard and what is the best way to handle this to request a more favorable offer?
I appreciate your input.
You will not be able to get any more money from TG, this is pretty much a standard downgrade (at least for awards tickets) comp.....i am not well versed with EU comp downgrade rules and not sure if there is anything there to fight
though i am sure the our presiding Mr/Ms/Mrs somkiat self proclaimed Plutonium member will try to disprove your statement and insist that you are lying about downgrade offers on award tickets.....but i will leave that up to him/her to elaborate and chime in on this
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,636
EC Reg. 261/04 is applicable for your flight when departing FRA, but I have no idea how to calculate 75% of the fare for your award flight. If you want to escalate this you can complain to the German LBA.
IMO USD 300 is a ridiculous low amount. If this had been a LH flight the compensation would have been in the region of EUR 1,200-1,500
IMO USD 300 is a ridiculous low amount. If this had been a LH flight the compensation would have been in the region of EUR 1,200-1,500
#5
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: RDU
Posts: 735
EC Reg. 261/04 is applicable for your flight when departing FRA, but I have no idea how to calculate 75% of the fare for your award flight. If you want to escalate this you can complain to the German LBA.
IMO USD 300 is a ridiculous low amount. If this had been a LH flight the compensation would have been in the region of EUR 1,200-1,500
IMO USD 300 is a ridiculous low amount. If this had been a LH flight the compensation would have been in the region of EUR 1,200-1,500
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,636
Sorry, I forgot that this was not a C to Y downgrade (which would yield up to EUR 1,500). If your info is correct - I have no reason to doubt it - it makes the TG offer even more appalling.
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
1. As a FRA departure, the downgrade is covered under EU 261/2004.
2. OP needs to make a specific claim for compensation under EU 261/2004.
3. The rule is 75% of the fare paid. There is an ongoing dispute as to how award tickets are handled, but that's not the immediate issue.
Reject the offer, make the specific demand under the law and set things in motion.
2. OP needs to make a specific claim for compensation under EU 261/2004.
3. The rule is 75% of the fare paid. There is an ongoing dispute as to how award tickets are handled, but that's not the immediate issue.
Reject the offer, make the specific demand under the law and set things in motion.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Sydney
Programs: QF Gold, VA Gold, TG Gold
Posts: 21
Ask for more...
The points difference in the FC and B award is as much as 17500 points (80k vs 62500) on a direct award. Possibly less on a larger award ticket routing.
You would need $690 used just to get the lost miles back.
The points difference in the FC and B award is as much as 17500 points (80k vs 62500) on a direct award. Possibly less on a larger award ticket routing.
You would need $690 used just to get the lost miles back.
#9
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
You are entitled to 75% of the one-way F class fare filed on that nonstop route pair according to EU261/2004 and precedents for similar cases (on TG and other airlines). The German Regulator (LBA) may be of assistance.
As this is a very large sum of money, expect to fight for it.
As this is a very large sum of money, expect to fight for it.
#11
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, WN A+, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Tit, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,120
I'm nervous this is going to happen to me on a UA award from FRA-BKK on the A380.
I just called to try and get seats for the flight I've had booked using UA miles for several months. The flight isn't until November, but all of the F seats showed as full. I was unable to receive a seat and was told I'll need to do it at the airport.
If I'm likely to get downgraded, I would much rather switch to LH F if it opens up. Although, if the compensation is more than $300, I could probably manage.
I just called to try and get seats for the flight I've had booked using UA miles for several months. The flight isn't until November, but all of the F seats showed as full. I was unable to receive a seat and was told I'll need to do it at the airport.
If I'm likely to get downgraded, I would much rather switch to LH F if it opens up. Although, if the compensation is more than $300, I could probably manage.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
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Posts: 17,263
I'm nervous this is going to happen to me on a UA award from FRA-BKK on the A380.
I just called to try and get seats for the flight I've had booked using UA miles for several months. The flight isn't until November, but all of the F seats showed as full. I was unable to receive a seat and was told I'll need to do it at the airport.
If I'm likely to get downgraded, I would much rather switch to LH F if it opens up. Although, if the compensation is more than $300, I could probably manage.
I just called to try and get seats for the flight I've had booked using UA miles for several months. The flight isn't until November, but all of the F seats showed as full. I was unable to receive a seat and was told I'll need to do it at the airport.
If I'm likely to get downgraded, I would much rather switch to LH F if it opens up. Although, if the compensation is more than $300, I could probably manage.
#13
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, WN A+, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Tit, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,120
None are available to be assigned. It's not clear if all seats are actually assigned or if a few will just be released at the airport.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
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