Originally Posted by
flylark
Hello All, long time follower of the forums and recently registered to get your thoughts on a situation I recently faced. I was flying from Dayton to LA via Chicago on United last weekend. The flight in Dayton was supposed to leave at 6:40pm, but left at 8:00pm. I was going to miss my connection so they re-booked me on a flight leaving at 9AM next day... on a first class ticket.
This encounter left me wondering what are the options available to us flyers in similar situations? They said the delay was due to weather (high winds) to it absolves them of many responsibilities except rebooking on some other flight.
1. If the Dayton folks made a mistake booking me in first class on an earlier flight, should I have expected United to honor it?
2. Because the delay was 'weather related', should I accept that bumping me to a later flight was ok?
To me the sore point was moving me to a later flight, than just moving me from first to economy.
What is the etiquette here? Trying to understand since I've recently become a frequent flyer.
Thanks, RK.
First, we've all heard these stories and all been through it so we can give you advice.
Next, make sure when you're dealing with the staff you don't exaggerate the problem. For instance, don't claim that the staff told you "there is no way...". They don't talk like that.
Then, don't raise your voice. You may be frustrated but all you're going to do is to make it worse.
Insist on the supervisor, tell the supervisor what you were told in Dayton and ask her politely why your class and flight were changed. When they said economy was full, point out that you think that's why you were moved to first. Then ask about hotel accommodations.
Last part, realize that as long as you are going to be a frequent flyer, particularly on short domestic flights (Dayton/Chicago) you're going to be dealing with delays, missed connections, etc. Once you get status you'll find that you get better treatment when they happen, but they won't stop happening.