Originally Posted by
lodwick
Normally I would seriously consider a voluntary downgrade. Given that it's a Holiday, were getting on a cruise, and our friends are also in the FC cabin (another 4 pax) - it irks me that Alaska would reconfigure the plane just before the holidays.
Someone is always going to lose on these things. It's you. I wouldn't take it personally.
Originally Posted by
lodwick
Question for the forum:
- would you take what Alaska offered?
- if I decline the offer and they involuntarily downgrade our group, is there any additional compensation required (like what occurs on an involuntary bump)?
This is what AS offers for IDB:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/ab...d-flights.aspx
Note the "Rebooked to arrive at your destination within 1 hr: No compensation". But in some cases you might come out ahead (if the delay in getting to your destination is long enough). Especially noted is that the compensation is entirely in cash (they cut you a check on the spot).
You do also have the right to hold out for F (original cabin booked) instead of traveling in Y (which would probably be what AS would do, refund your F->Y fare difference and try and get you there in an hour, maybe more).
Of course, holding out for 4 F seats doesn't help you if you're going on a cruise and they can't get you there in 4 F seats in time for your cruise, does it? It would be a rather high-stakes game of poker (and no, AS isn't liable for you missing your cruise if you decide to play chicken for IDB and stick to your guns for flying in F; that's consequential damages). They might not even be able to find 4 Y seats all together if you wait and do this at the time the flight is boarding.
All told, I'd probably accept the downgrade and offered compensation, given that trying to rebook at the very last minute for IDB could be chancy when it involves a cruise.