Crazy delays and IRROPs on AC - What to ask for compensation?
Jul 23, 2018, 8:54 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 26
Crazy delays and IRROPs on AC - What to ask for compensation?
First time flying business on AC which turned out to be an adventurous one.
Booked on a straightforward routing from YYC-YYZ-BOM on all AC metal Business Class P. (*No status with the airline)
Initial flight delayed forcing to miss the connecting flight to BOM. Was rerouted on YYZ-YOW-EWR-BOM, but the flight to YOW was diverted to YUL due to bad weather conditions. Then I was sent back from YUL to YYZ for the night, where I was given a city hotel which I rejected. I stayed back in the airport and flew the next morning from YYZ-ZRH-BOM. Reached my destination finally after so many flights and more than 24 hours after scheduled arrival.
Exhausted all my clothes for work by the time I arrived BOM. It wasn't surprising that I didn't get any of my bags, so I was offered $200 compensation for immediate use to buy essentials.
I am seeking help from fellow FTer's and loyal AC flyers as to what I am eligible to receive as compensation?
Thanks
Booked on a straightforward routing from YYC-YYZ-BOM on all AC metal Business Class P. (*No status with the airline)
Initial flight delayed forcing to miss the connecting flight to BOM. Was rerouted on YYZ-YOW-EWR-BOM, but the flight to YOW was diverted to YUL due to bad weather conditions. Then I was sent back from YUL to YYZ for the night, where I was given a city hotel which I rejected. I stayed back in the airport and flew the next morning from YYZ-ZRH-BOM. Reached my destination finally after so many flights and more than 24 hours after scheduled arrival.
Exhausted all my clothes for work by the time I arrived BOM. It wasn't surprising that I didn't get any of my bags, so I was offered $200 compensation for immediate use to buy essentials.
I am seeking help from fellow FTer's and loyal AC flyers as to what I am eligible to receive as compensation?
Thanks
Jul 23, 2018, 9:17 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
Can you expand on why your YYC-YYZ flight was delayed?
Did you have an opportunity to re-route at YYC?
At YYZ, were you looked after by the Concierge team? If not, were you refused service by the Concierge team?
Why did you decide to accept a YYZ-YOW-EWR routing when there are plenty of YYZ-EWR direct non-stop flights?
You will probably get a discount code if you write to customer relations.
Did you have an opportunity to re-route at YYC?
At YYZ, were you looked after by the Concierge team? If not, were you refused service by the Concierge team?
Why did you decide to accept a YYZ-YOW-EWR routing when there are plenty of YYZ-EWR direct non-stop flights?
You will probably get a discount code if you write to customer relations.
Jul 23, 2018, 9:32 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MEX/YVR/YYF
Programs: AS MVP/AC75K/AM Gold/UA*S/SPG-Marriott Lifetime Titanium/Accor-FPC Gold/HHDiamond/Hyatt Exp
Posts: 5,035
Of course, to be cheeky:
https://www.staralliance.com/en/connection-service
I feel for the OP though, that sounds like quite the adventure.
Upon arrival in YYZ I would have headed to the Concierge office immediately...
https://www.staralliance.com/en/connection-service
I feel for the OP though, that sounds like quite the adventure.
Upon arrival in YYZ I would have headed to the Concierge office immediately...
Jul 23, 2018, 10:10 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 26
@Clipper
Delay was due to traffic congestion at YYC. I was on board the aircraft, waiting for take-off.
I didn't know I could go to the concierge team as it was my first time flying business on AC. I was helped by the staff on arrival. I wanted to reach BOM at the earliest, so the agent put me on the crazy route as other direct options were supposedly full.
What kind of a discount code can I expect? Is it possible that a part of the price would be refunded as cash for the inconvenience caused.
@PointWeasel
Probably it was one of the connection service team who helped on arrival.
Next time if I get to fly business on AC I will try to get in touch with the Concierge team immediately.
Thank you!
Delay was due to traffic congestion at YYC. I was on board the aircraft, waiting for take-off.
I didn't know I could go to the concierge team as it was my first time flying business on AC. I was helped by the staff on arrival. I wanted to reach BOM at the earliest, so the agent put me on the crazy route as other direct options were supposedly full.
What kind of a discount code can I expect? Is it possible that a part of the price would be refunded as cash for the inconvenience caused.
@PointWeasel
Probably it was one of the connection service team who helped on arrival.
Next time if I get to fly business on AC I will try to get in touch with the Concierge team immediately.
Thank you!
Jul 23, 2018, 11:24 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: YUL
Programs: Aeroplan 50K, Accor Diamond
Posts: 253
If the delays were all air traffic control and/or weather (AC has usually no control over these), they already provided more than what is expected with a hotel voucher.
Goodwill discount codes are between 5 and 25% and applicable only on the base fare. Not sure if they will provide you with one but if they do, I would bet on 15% (most common). Do not expect a refund, it won't happen.
Goodwill discount codes are between 5 and 25% and applicable only on the base fare. Not sure if they will provide you with one but if they do, I would bet on 15% (most common). Do not expect a refund, it won't happen.
Jul 23, 2018, 11:30 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
Honestly, considering weather and the fact you had a bag, why not wait for next day's flight? Maybe do DEL connection instead.
I know many people panic during IRROPS, but taking a double connection with a TB stop is not a very good idea in fact, it can be worse.
Airline agents do not "pay" or have any incentives to not put you on a flight. If they say it's full, it's very likely full. And if there's an inventory sync problem, be ready to spend an hour to try to get it resolved, which might not be time you or the agent has to spare.
Regardless, just write in and see what they offer. They'll likely offer a discount on future flights, but I doubt they'll give you a refund.
I know many people panic during IRROPS, but taking a double connection with a TB stop is not a very good idea in fact, it can be worse.
Airline agents do not "pay" or have any incentives to not put you on a flight. If they say it's full, it's very likely full. And if there's an inventory sync problem, be ready to spend an hour to try to get it resolved, which might not be time you or the agent has to spare.
Regardless, just write in and see what they offer. They'll likely offer a discount on future flights, but I doubt they'll give you a refund.
Jul 23, 2018, 11:47 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 161
This. My first thought was why did OP not ask for YYZ-DEL-BOM instead? Once you get in country, there are a lot more options to get down to BOM.
Jul 23, 2018, 1:45 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
Of course, to be cheeky:
https://www.staralliance.com/en/connection-service
I feel for the OP though, that sounds like quite the adventure.
Upon arrival in YYZ I would have headed to the Concierge office immediately...
https://www.staralliance.com/en/connection-service
I feel for the OP though, that sounds like quite the adventure.
Upon arrival in YYZ I would have headed to the Concierge office immediately...
Non SE100K are not welcome.
Jul 23, 2018, 1:50 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
The new Signature Service now allows for concierge - in this case perfect for the OP since his original plan was to fly via YYZ.
Jul 23, 2018, 1:58 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
@Clipper
Delay was due to traffic congestion at YYC. I was on board the aircraft, waiting for take-off.
I didn't know I could go to the concierge team as it was my first time flying business on AC. I was helped by the staff on arrival. I wanted to reach BOM at the earliest, so the agent put me on the crazy route as other direct options were supposedly full.
What kind of a discount code can I expect? Is it possible that a part of the price would be refunded as cash for the inconvenience caused.
@PointWeasel
Probably it was one of the connection service team who helped on arrival.
Next time if I get to fly business on AC I will try to get in touch with the Concierge team immediately.
Thank you!
Delay was due to traffic congestion at YYC. I was on board the aircraft, waiting for take-off.
I didn't know I could go to the concierge team as it was my first time flying business on AC. I was helped by the staff on arrival. I wanted to reach BOM at the earliest, so the agent put me on the crazy route as other direct options were supposedly full.
What kind of a discount code can I expect? Is it possible that a part of the price would be refunded as cash for the inconvenience caused.
@PointWeasel
Probably it was one of the connection service team who helped on arrival.
Next time if I get to fly business on AC I will try to get in touch with the Concierge team immediately.
Thank you!
The Concierge is aware of your situation but as expected, they failed to meet you on arrival of your YYC-YYZ flight to assist you with the re-booking. The reason is because you are not SE100K. Another incompetent ground agent failed to summon the Concierge agent for you but decided to take care of it him/herself in an amateurish way, causing further problems. The agent should know, or ought to know that you are a Signature Class passenger. This sort of things should be handled by a Concierge agent and this is clearly an "at-risk connection" the moment your flight was delayed at YYC.
Technically, AC did not have to offer complimentary overnight hotel to you for the delay reason stated. Travel insurance generally covers this sort of situation. I suppose that you did not travel ZRH-BOM on AC when you received $200 for the bag not arriving with you.
Jul 23, 2018, 2:01 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
On paper, passengers travelling on business class on an international flight are always supposed to be entitled to the Concierge service. In reality, never in YYZ. So this is not new to the "Signature Class". The advertisement that I appended was not new. It was very specific, only SE100K may use the Concierge office. Air Canada deliberately did not say non SE100K Signature Class passengers may not go to the Concierge office.
Jul 23, 2018, 2:03 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
On paper, passengers travelling on business class on an international flight are always supposed to be entitled to the Concierge service. In reality, never in YYZ. So this is not new to the "Signature Class". The advertisement that I appended was not new. It was very specific, only SE100K may use the Concierge office. Air Canada deliberately did not say non SE100K Signature Class passengers may not go to the Concierge office.
Jul 23, 2018, 2:15 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: YVR TLS
Programs: Air France Flying Blue, Altitude SE-100k, AAdvantage, United Mileage Plus, WS rewards, BonVoy Titan
Posts: 912
Agreed, they took care of you the best they could. "time to spare, go by air" sometimes that applies, but seriously no airline can guarantee circumstances that are out of their control, no matter how much you paid for your ticket. But I do empathize, happened to me awhile back trying to get to Paris, my whole itinerary was changed re-routed plus put on another airline (BA) eventually I got their. (pos business fare)
Jul 23, 2018, 2:46 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
No question except if you are not SE100K, although you are flying on a class of service that entitled to the Concierge service, you may NOT come to the Concierge office. You are NOT welcome there. This is what Air Canada is telling the non-SE100K Signature Class travellers.