Aug Award Flight Downgraded F >> C - Why???
Jul 9, 2014, 6:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Aug Award Flight Downgraded F >> C - Why???
Have a F award (UA Miles) and just got an e-mail from UA that my flight was downgraded to J for the BKK-HKG segment on TG600. Still showing a 744 for the flight. Did TG just decide that they didn't want a no-income pax in F? As it's a 744 I didn't think they were downgrading to running just Y/J (the F cabin was almost full when I last checked)
Yes, I know it's only a 3 hr flight, but was looking forward to the lounge / spa, etc. Its the reason I booked via BKK v a direct to my destination.
Yes, I know it's only a 3 hr flight, but was looking forward to the lounge / spa, etc. Its the reason I booked via BKK v a direct to my destination.
Jul 9, 2014, 7:49 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Have a F award (UA Miles) and just got an e-mail from UA that my flight was downgraded to J for the BKK-HKG segment on TG600. Still showing a 744 for the flight. Did TG just decide that they didn't want a no-income pax in F? As it's a 744 I didn't think they were downgrading to running just Y/J (the F cabin was almost full when I last checked)
Yes, I know it's only a 3 hr flight, but was looking forward to the lounge / spa, etc. Its the reason I booked via BKK v a direct to my destination.
Yes, I know it's only a 3 hr flight, but was looking forward to the lounge / spa, etc. Its the reason I booked via BKK v a direct to my destination.
Jul 10, 2014, 6:47 am
#4
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Thanks for the info, after I got home and found my TG PNR, I pulled it up and is showing as the 773. I'll have to call to book my seat now as I cant do it online!
Really? I didn't know that... Thought you only got access based on your BP
In the first 2 weeks of August the timetable shows TG600 being operated by two class 773 on a few days. This may or may not be reflected on the UA website if that's where you're looking...sometimes aircraft type does not match up for a while after changes. If it's any consolation the 773 planned is TG's new 77W with full lie flat in J.
Jul 10, 2014, 7:09 am
#5
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Jul 10, 2014, 10:29 am
#6
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Jul 10, 2014, 11:27 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 855
Here's what happened to me:
- F class award seat (booked with UA miles) on a TG 747 (BKK-SYD) downgraded to C class seat on a TG 777 (equipment change)
- There is another BKK-SYD flight on the same day, operated by a 747 with F class, but no award seats available.
- The Australian TG office offered to send a message to the main office in Bangkok, requesting them to open up an award seat on the second flight, but I had to get UA to waitlist me for the second flight.
- UA doesn't let you waitlist on partner flights (I asked several agents and supervisors), and when I asked in the UA forum, multiple posters confirmed that UA can't/won't do it.
- TG can't waitlist me since UA owns the reservation
- I'll have to keep watching award availability, hoping that something opens up.
Jul 11, 2014, 11:11 am
#8
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I am in a similar situations on NRT-BKK in Aug. Initally A380F --> 787J --> A330 J --> now I'm back on a 747 in J. The flight doesnt even show up on united search, so I've just been checking periodically to see when it gets loaded and F space opens up. The F cabin is empty on expertflyer so I'm pretty sure once Aug rolls around the space will be there.
Jul 11, 2014, 10:27 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: WAS/ Silver Spring, MD,USA
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Don't forget to get your envelope with the cash compensation for the involuntary downgrade.
Yes, you can use the F lounge & spa despite the change.
I requested an F kit which was provided onboard (BKK-NRT).
Yes, you can use the F lounge & spa despite the change.
I requested an F kit which was provided onboard (BKK-NRT).
Jul 12, 2014, 10:43 am
#10
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I am in a similar situations on NRT-BKK in Aug. Initally A380F --> 787J --> A330 J --> now I'm back on a 747 in J. The flight doesnt even show up on united search, so I've just been checking periodically to see when it gets loaded and F space opens up. The F cabin is empty on expertflyer so I'm pretty sure once Aug rolls around the space will be there.
I do agree they're likely to open F award space on TG643 closer in.
Jul 12, 2014, 7:22 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Melbourne
Programs: Velocity Gold
Posts: 1,069
Quote:
Originally Posted by Creole Spirit
they will certainly also permit you to re-book free of any charges in case you want to take another flight where F-class will be offered....
Only if there's an F class award seat available on the other flight.
Here's what happened to me:
- F class award seat (booked with UA miles) on a TG 747 (BKK-SYD) downgraded to C class seat on a TG 777 (equipment change)
- There is another BKK-SYD flight on the same day, operated by a 747 with F class, but no award seats available.
- The Australian TG office offered to send a message to the main office in Bangkok, requesting them to open up an award seat on the second flight, but I had to get UA to waitlist me for the second flight.
- UA doesn't let you waitlist on partner flights (I asked several agents and supervisors), and when I asked in the UA forum, multiple posters confirmed that UA can't/won't do it.
- TG can't waitlist me since UA owns the reservation
- I'll have to keep watching award availability, hoping that something opens up.
Originally Posted by Creole Spirit
they will certainly also permit you to re-book free of any charges in case you want to take another flight where F-class will be offered....
Only if there's an F class award seat available on the other flight.
Here's what happened to me:
- F class award seat (booked with UA miles) on a TG 747 (BKK-SYD) downgraded to C class seat on a TG 777 (equipment change)
- There is another BKK-SYD flight on the same day, operated by a 747 with F class, but no award seats available.
- The Australian TG office offered to send a message to the main office in Bangkok, requesting them to open up an award seat on the second flight, but I had to get UA to waitlist me for the second flight.
- UA doesn't let you waitlist on partner flights (I asked several agents and supervisors), and when I asked in the UA forum, multiple posters confirmed that UA can't/won't do it.
- TG can't waitlist me since UA owns the reservation
- I'll have to keep watching award availability, hoping that something opens up.
Jul 12, 2014, 11:29 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 855
This is not true. Thai can put the segment in there and then it gets revalidated by UA. You first have to check there are F seats available on the flight you need (revenue or award). It can be done, lots of records of this exact thing happening on these forums and others.
1. Yes, there are F class revenue seats available on the alternative flight.
2. Various TG offices have told me that they can't touch the reservation because is a UA award flight, and TG can't add segments (confirmed or waitlisted). I have tried the TG offices in Los Angeles, Sydney, Melbourne, and Singapore. Same answer from all of them: They can't do anything unless UA waitlists me first.
3. UA won't / can't wait list on partner flights.
Jul 13, 2014, 12:10 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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What's not true? That TG told me that they can't touch a UA reservation? That is absolutely true. I have tried four different reservations offices. Same answer from all of them. Maybe it was possible in the past. Do you have recent experience (as in within the last two weeks) of having TG add segments to a UA award reservation?
Jul 13, 2014, 10:01 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 855
About 2 weeks ago Sydney did it for me on a LifeMiles award...they actually gave me the last available seat on a flight that was showing F1. However I do totally understand your difficulties...I was a bit surprised it happened. In similar circumstances before I have had no joy getting TG to do this.
Since it's UA's policy to not allow wait listing on partner flights, it appears I'm out of luck.
Last edited by 26point2orbust; Jul 13, 2014 at 5:30 pm
Jul 14, 2014, 5:46 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Melbourne
Programs: Velocity Gold
Posts: 1,069
What's not true? That TG told me that they can't touch a UA reservation? That is absolutely true. I have tried four different reservations offices. Same answer from all of them. Maybe it was possible in the past. Do you have recent experience (as in within the last two weeks) of having TG add segments to a UA award reservation?
1. Yes, there are F class revenue seats available on the alternative flight.
2. Various TG offices have told me that they can't touch the reservation because is a UA award flight, and TG can't add segments (confirmed or waitlisted). I have tried the TG offices in Los Angeles, Sydney, Melbourne, and Singapore. Same answer from all of them: They can't do anything unless UA waitlists me first.
3. UA won't / can't wait list on partner flights.
1. Yes, there are F class revenue seats available on the alternative flight.
2. Various TG offices have told me that they can't touch the reservation because is a UA award flight, and TG can't add segments (confirmed or waitlisted). I have tried the TG offices in Los Angeles, Sydney, Melbourne, and Singapore. Same answer from all of them: They can't do anything unless UA waitlists me first.
3. UA won't / can't wait list on partner flights.
This is from first hand experience within the last 2 months. And reports of people doing exactly the same thing in your situation on another forum (TG downgrading from F>C due to aircraft swap). I know it is frustrating but it is just a matter of finding the right agent.
If you are happy to PM your original and new itinerary details and what you require I am happy to try and get this resolved on your behalf as I believe it is a crazy situation when Thai purposely causes a misconnect with their schedule changes and leaves it up to the customer to resolve.