Originally Posted by
msm2000uk
I had a similar issue with one of my BKK trips a few months ago - the aircraft was downgraded, so there was no F on the flight.
I called QR, and was advised I could either have a full-refund, the fare difference, or switch to a different F service. In the end, I switched to a later flight which had F.
The difference in fare prices from when you paid, to now, is irrelevant. You should be refunded 75% of your fare for the downgrade, but QR tend to be difficult about this - and usually ask you to deal with it at the airport on the day. Push harder however, and they will do it in advance (saving you the hassle).
My recommendation would be to call back QR, and if need be, call the office in Doha. The current available fares are irrelevant, and the advice you were given sounds plain wrong.
Try QR again, and do report back.
M
I was booked CDG-DOH-BKK outbound in F with the return in J. The first leg is not until September 30th. I learned from another QR forum that DOH-BKK was losing at least one of its daily A380 flights, and on checking discovered that my flight would now be on a 777 with no F class. I phoned the QR UK call centre, told them that my schedule did not allow for me to take the next flight from Doha to Bangkok which did have and what could they do? Eventually I was rebooked from Doha to Bangkok in J on an earlier flight (my original transit time was going to be about 8 hours, which I was looking forward to spending in the Al Safwa lounge, but as I would not flying onwards on a 380 that seemed a bit pointless).
When I enquired about compensation for the involuntary downgrade I was told to contact London Customer Services by email. I did this and got a quick but unhelpful reply - the salient part of which is '
As such changes are handled only by our European Contact Centre (0333 320 2454) you would have to contact them directly if you wish to discuss your booking further and for them to advise you of any fare difference that may be due.'
Since I made this booking when there was a big sale on in January I am sure that Qatar will tell me that there is no fare difference, and therefore I am due no compensation. But surely the point is that I have paid for a First class seat, which is no longer available on the flight I had booked, and therefore I am due some kind of restitution.
Can anyone let me know what are my rights in this situation and what I can do to achieve them.