Thank you all for your insights. Some additional context and questions:
1. Route: Long-haul to IAD (US), EU 261 doesn't apply.
2. Not an award ticket, purchased months ago.
3. TK's offered alternatives: 32+ hours, two stops, arriving a day later than original plan. One leg is via AnadoluJet, a budget airline subsidiary.
4. Found Austrian/Lufthansa flight: ~20 hours, one stop, same-day arrival, similar price.
5. TK website shows our original flight date is full in economy, but business class seats are available.
Key issues:
- TK seems to have bumped us from our original flight and downgraded part of the journey to a budget airline.
- No international calling currently; trying to get it set up.
- Local TK offices often closed or don't pick up; will try again today.
- Twitter support (listed as official channel) is unhelpful.
Questions:
1. Is it reasonable to ask TK to book us in business class since they apparently overbooked economy, bumped us, and downgraded part of our journey?
2. If TK insists on the 32+ hour option with a budget airline leg, can this be considered as non-service or a significant downgrade?
3. Would booking the Austrian flight ourselves and pursuing a chargeback be justifiable if TK refuses to accommodate?
4. Any strategies for breaking through TK's unresponsive customer service, especially given our current communication limitations?
Past experience: TK has offered "solutions" (like city accommodations during delays) that they themselves don't recommend using. This feels similar - offering a 32+ hour flight with a budget airline leg as a "solution" that's hardly equivalent to our original booking.
Appreciate any advice on how to proceed, given the time sensitivity and communication challenges.