Originally Posted by
MarqFlyer
I don't think it's a black and white call, nor would I necessarily agree that the rules (NW or EU) would apply here. It seems to me that the key question is exactly what the GA said.
If she promised that you would get a certain level of compensation, you should get it even if it's more than the rules typically allow. As a passenger, you should be entitled to rely on a promise made by an airline representative, and it shouldn't be your problem if she promises more than she's supposed to.
On the other hand, if she said something like "this is what passengers usually get" for being bumped, or something like that, I might better understand why the compensation would change if she unexpectedly found an earlier flight for you.
The OP seems to indicate that the conversation might have been closer to the latter, but only the OP and GA would know for sure. I guess the lesson (for me at least) is that I will specifically ask how much compensation "I will get" if I accept a bump, and not be satisfied if the GA says something like "x is what we "usually" give."
The GA did not use the phrase "I promise" nor did she raise her hand and swore the statement regarding the compensation. But she stated simply, the compensation is 600 Euros. I had seen this amount mentioned on FT for a bump compensation, When she confirmed it by saying "600 Euros", there was reason for me to not believe that.
At the first mention of compensation amount, 600 Euros was mentioned
without any ifs ands or buts. It was only after we were pulled out of the secure area after near completion of boarding, she found the flights whose details she was reluctant to share with us, did she mention any rules. That's why I say she mentioned any reduction at the very end. Even when we discussed rebooking in WBC, she clarified that WBC is not likely to happen unless there was no space in coach on alternative flights. Any ifs ands and buts were not appplied to the compensation amount until the end. The rules make no mention of rebooking in WBC. But people do get booked in WBC. The GA clearly failed to mention the possibility of reduction until the very end.
All 4 of us are plats and boarding at the very end on a flight when we had already been pulled out of the secure area does put us at a significant disadvantage.