StuMcIlwain

UA/AC/LH/SN/OS/LX revenue share on trans-Atlantic flights, so I can't see why any agent would be the least bit concerned about rebooking you on a later flight operated by one of these carriers. There are many later AC flights from YYZ to major European hubs, the latest being AC858 to LHR at 23:05. I wouldn't give it a second thought.

socalflying

Thank you, Stu! I appreciate it.

cfischer

not on an award ticket. If AC is late they will have to sort it out with LH or on their won metal.

socalflying

So in this case, on an award ticket, where the flight is on SN (YYZ-BRU) and is their only flight from this airport (YYZ)--I would have to wait for SN's next available flight (hopefully the next day) or would there be any chance of getting re-accommodated on a partner airline?

And what would happen if I knew the YYZ-BRU segment was going to cancel before I left on AC LAX--YYZ? Usually the SN flight (552) cancels because the reciprocal flight (551) cancels from BRU-YYZ, which I would know before leaving LAX. Who should I contact, and what would my options be? If it matters the first segment (LAX-YYZ) is coach, YYZ-BRU is biz.

(I"m sorry if these are noob questions...my first time using UA miles on an all-partner flight.)

jsloan

There is absolutely a chance to be re-accommodated on a partner airline, especially given that you're in business class. However, there's no guarantee. SN -- or AC, if you miss your SN flight because of an AC delay -- will follow their own rebooking procedures, in line with *A guidelines.

It's still SN's responsibility if this happens, and given the classes of service, that's probably for the best. AC might be willing to re-route you, but they'd likely do so in coach. Before travel begins, you can certainly call UA, as the ticketing carrier, and they can rebook you also -- but likely only into available award space or (maybe) on UA metal. Unless you see award space available from LAX, your best bet is to go to YYZ and deal with SN there.

StuMcIlwain

My understanding is that if SN cancels their flight, then SN needs to sort things out. If, as a result, socalflying arrives in VCE more than 4 hours later than originally scheduled, SN (as a European carrier) also owes him 600 Euros compensation under European rules.

If AC is late and socalflying misses his BRU flight, then AC needs to sort it out (and there should be plenty of other options available that evening). No compensation is due.

StuMcIlwain

If it were me, I wouldn't even bother trying to sort things out in LAX. Go to YYZ and let SN deal with it.

Also, while flights irregularities can happen, it is unlikely that SN would cancel their flight. (Even though it was cancelled this evening.)

socalflying

Thank you to Stu and jsloan for the comprehensive answers. I appreciate it!

Tunapalooza

In October I'll be flying SFO-IAD-ADD-WDH. Ticket issued by UA, for which I paid a premium over an ET ticket. The purpose was to get UA protection in case of misconnects or cancellations. The ADD-WDH flight operates only three times a week, so its cancellation or a misconnect due to a delayed IAD-ADD flight would create a serious and unacceptable delay.

There are alternate routings that would minimize any delay. My questions are: (1) to what extent is UA responsible for rerouting if the irrops (UA or ET) are identified before the journey begins (i.e., in SFO)?; (2) what are UA's obligations if ET irrops are identified on arrival in IAD?; and (3) does UA have any remaining obligation if a cancellation or misconnect happens in ADD?

(It should be possible to know prior to departure from SFO if the ET aircraft operating IAD-ADD is behind schedule.)

Some of the alternate routings are on *A carriers, others are not. I can handle some delay, but how much delay will UA force me to endure before it will consider putting me on non-*A carriers, such as Air Namibia? Any tips on how to approach UA about ET irrops discovered during the journey?

Thanks in advance.

jsloan

The ticketing carrier makes no difference for day-of-flight IRROPS. It may make things marginally better if a flight is cancelled in advance.

1 - (Assuming this refers to the day of travel) -- If your flight to IAD is cancelled, UA will rebook you through to WDH from SFO. If either ET flight has been cancelled, you may be able to get UA to help you out, but it's also possible that they would tell you (correctly) that it's ET's responsibility, and suggest that you get in touch with them about rebooking, either from SFO or once you've arrived at IAD.

2 - None. If you misconnect due to a delayed UA flight, that's UA's responsibility. The scenario you've outlined is not.

3 - No

You can try to convince UA that a delayed inbound from ADD is going to cause you to misconnect, but I wouldn't expect success. If a delay has already been posted on IAD-ADD, you may have a better chance, but even then UA is likely to tell you to let ET fix it.

There's no hard and fast rule for this. If you are flying in business, or if your UA Gold (and hence *G) status is still active, you may be able to push a little bit under *A IRROPS policy.

Still, for most of these situations, you'd be dealing with ET, not UA. Getting UA involved when it's not their responsibility isn't likely to help and may make things worse.

mduell

That's neither how it works nor useful for day-of IRROPS.

If UA causes IRROPS in SFO or late delivery in IAD (causing a missed connection), UA is responsible for rerouting you to your next ticketed stopover. Otherwise it's all on ET.

None.

No.

That's great, but if UA is going to deliver you to IAD on time, they're not doing anything different.

No specific limit is provided. People have a lot more success when they find/propose the non-*A routing with available inventory than when they make the agent look for it. The guidance from *A is "customer's best interest" with a preference for same carrier, own carrier, *A, and OA in that order.

But unless UA cancels or severely delays SFO-IAD, UA won't be the one rebooking you.

Don't.

MrWilliamston

in reality, I've had UA agent playing dumb and trying to pass the buck and sending me to LH for rebooking at IAD. (the UA flight into IAD was 3 hours late due to mechanical issues, causing me to miss my LH flight)

RAMSWISS

Have booked a one way business saver award Marrakesh - Lisbon - Milan - Delhi.

The Marrakesh to Lisbon and Lisbon to Milan sectors are operated by TAP and Milan to Delhi Sector by Air India.

Transit time in Lisbon is 1 hour and 20 mins and in Milan is 1 hour and 45 mins.

If due to delay on part of TAP I were to miss my onward flights which airline would handle the rebookings ?

goodeats21

As a general rule, the airline that caused the missed connection is responsible for re-booking. So if TAP was delayed / cancelled, they should arrange to get you to your destination.

threeoh

The airline that caused the missed connection is responsible, but it's worth pointing out that the ticketing carrier and even sometimes the operator of the flight you missed can be of help too, if the late delivering carrier is not giving you good options.