Originally Posted by bangkokiscool

Earlier today I posted about my friend who flew on a Round 3 SQ Ticket, US touching, via ZRH. All OLCI, all BPs issued. I just found out some new information that is concerning.

In Zurich, he had a layover of a few hours. Went to the F class lounge, relaxed, took a shower, no problems as he had F BP in hand.

At the gate, the BP reader beeped red. He was asked to stand aside. Gate agent calls supervisor. The following is a summary of what happened:

Sup: Sir, we cannot allow you to fly on this ticket. We will allow you to fly in Economy instead.

Cust: But my ticket is in First class.

Sup: We know about these tickets from Yangon. There was a short window of time when these tickets were issued at the incorrect fare. There were several hundred of them sold. We cannot allow you to travel in First class for only one hundred dollars. We can allow you to travel in Business class if you give me five hundred [Note: did not ask, and did not clarify, if this was USD or Euro. My friend should have said he would take it for 500 kyats].

Cust: Do you have any aisle seats left in economy? (he's rather tall),

Sup: No.

Cust: Well this is a problem. My ticket is a legal contract. According to the US Department of Transportation you cannot do this. I will travel in Economy now, but you will have some trouble later on.

Sup: Please wait a minute.

A phone call then ensues to the Swiss Legal Department. Yes, the LEGAL Department.

Sup: All right sir, you can go. As you say, there may be trouble later on if we don't let you go.

Friend flew in F. NOTE: According to my friend the supervisor was pleasant and polite throughout the conversation.

There you have it. In spite of OLCI and BP in hand, and being on SQ stock, LX still tried to first downgrade, then second ask for more money. Thankfully my friend, who does not read FT, had been briefed by me beforehand and politely and firmly insisted on his legal rights under US law. It worked, and he flew home in F class.

I believe until LX resolves this issue, even those on non-LX tickets may face scrutiny in ZRH.