Originally Posted by
nomiiiii
Most importantly - the agent was not proactive etc at all at finding availability for me (because they will just make the most basic of searches, instead of a broad one across cities to really find something), so I had to do my own searches from US to Europe various cities available on flyingblue before finding what I was happy with and then calling.
You were right to make your own searches before calling. This is also a valid recommendation for a revenue ticket rebooking.
And about some agents not proactive, not surprising. And TBH, most of them may not have been instructed/trained to go beyond what they see on their screen.
Originally Posted by
nomiiiii
How have you pushed them? I asked a couple times that they can use the partner desk/international liason, delta is your joint-venture partner etc, and they said no. Now what? How many HUCA can you do when it is not a published benefit that they must reaccomodate you on Delta. I was worried that while I wait whatever little alternative space i'm seeing on Virgin Atlantic will dry out (even though that is now a one-stop instead of direct).
We are not talking about a published benefit here but just a duty of care because they cancelled the flight and there is a very easy solution with a JV partner they share all inventories with as well as revenues and losses. The point would be totally different if we were talking about other type of airlines. It’s just that it requires a few calls/emails with DL and they of course prefer to just keep you on their own metal even with a change of date to make their life easier.
I am lucky to have access to Elite lines with better trained agents so never really faced this problem of HUCA in this situation. But, even with the regular FB call centers, we had several reports on this forum of people being successful with the HUCA strategy when they finally managed to reach an agent with a bit of goodwill. Those cases were also US routes.
Good luck to you. You did a great homework on your side so I am sure you will find a satisfactory solution.
