JetLife

I booked a business class flight from PVG to KBV, connecting through BKK. Both segments were booked through an Aeroplan reward and both indicated that it was Business class. I got the confirmation immediately and it said "Executive" class.

However, I recently got the confirmation code so I could login to the Thai Airways website to manage my booking. The BKK to KBV flight is now in "Economy Restricted". It's also operated by "Thai Smile Airways".

Has this happened to anybody else? Feeling a bit slighted that I paid for a business class flight but now am flying economy.

dsquared37

TG has apparently done away with their (less than) business class.

Kacee

You realize that this is a one hour flight, right?

And per dsquared37, Thai Smile's "business class" was nothing special to begin with. Basically economy seats with the middle seat blocked.

travelislife

Your original booking was in economy class seats just with the middle seat blocked so it isn't much difference anyway in the scheme of things, just try and get a refund of some miles.

JetLife

I do. I've just never flown biz class before so I wanted to maximize the experience.

I didn't realize that I had booked with Thai Smile. I have to check the original confirmation again, but I think the original flight was with Thai Airways (who have a real business class as I understand it).

dsquared37

If it was TG xxxx then it was TG. If TG xxx then TG mainline.

Kacee

You're going to have a great time in Thailand, it would be a shame to let a downgrade on a 1 hour flight interfere with that.

JetLife

Thanks for the info, that clarifies things.

JetLife

Thanks for the advice?

Kacee

Yes it seemed appropriate given the level of drama over a rather insignificant itinerary change

luvFclass

I always count my blessings for what I have, no matter how "insignificant", and not let the things out of my control get to me.

Things can always be "worse". Take my sis-in-law 4 years ago on an aeroplan rewards ticket via LH-F class flight from YYZ-IAD-FRA. Her YYZ flight on UA went IRROPS before departure while on the runway taxiing, and they put her in "economy" AC-Y from YYZ-FRA. I was in meetings all day, and was unable to assist/ advise her with aeroplan call centre at all. Since the flights after were continuing to ICN-TPE from FRA. This was the "only" way to get to FRA on time catch the FRA-ICN flight according to UA CS Desk in YYZ ( it was not as I was on the YUL-MUC-FRA LH-F flight that same evening ). Her problem was she accepted it at face value, not knowing her rights, and UA obligations. But she would not stop complaining about it to me, UA, AE etc...... after the fact days later.

End result, I had to write the letter of complaints to AE/UA, she got 25k AE points from UA, 10k from AE as a "goodwill gesture" as it was not their issue with the IIROPS, and a $400 UA E-voucher credit to use in any future flights. Does not make up for F>>Y downgrade, but at least it was something.

Bottom line for me, if you have not taken the flights yet, contact AE and ask them to change your flights to something more acceptable if your tavel schedules permit it. But it is only an hour flight though.

My missus will be in BKK next week via TPE, and I see many flights in C via HKG and reverse on AE bookings online. Pre-departure, it is 100% AE's responsibility to give you what you paid (points) for. Unless it is TG's infamous IRROPS or EQ change at last minute.

Good luck! The FT crowd here on TG thread is fairly passive/supportive, good thing you did not post your concerns on the LH or UA threads. LOL.....

LFC

Noppasit

I have to say that ThaiSmile is an example of unsuccessful regional airline business, the main reason is extremely poor management system.