Downgauge and downgrade on paid biz (2 mos before flight)- what now?
Mar 26, 2019, 1:27 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Tokyo
Programs: SQ, NH, AC *G, Starwood Gold
Posts: 28
Downgauge and downgrade on paid biz (2 mos before flight)- what now?
I’ve searched the forums but haven’t found another post on point. My kids and I have an upcoming trip from Asia to Canada in paid biz (Z). Our travel agent has just advised us that AC has downgauged the aircraft to a Dash8 for our final outbound leg YUL-YHZ, with AC asking us for a new seat selection in Economy. No price adjustment or other comp offered. I hate that aircraft so I’ve asked for the next available flight in our paid class of service, which is the next day - after 24 hours in the air with 2 small kids I could do with a night in the YUL Marriott before we face the in laws 😉. Is this a reasonable request? (I’m *G, spouse SE, and kids are *G and *S fwiw)
Mar 26, 2019, 1:32 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,567
I’ve searched the forums but haven’t found another post on point. My kids and I have an upcoming trip from Asia to Canada in paid biz (Z). Our travel agent has just advised us that AC has downgauged the aircraft to a Dash8 for our final outbound leg YUL-YHZ, with AC asking us for a new seat selection in Economy. No price adjustment or other comp offered. I hate that aircraft so I’ve asked for the next available flight in our paid class of service, which is the next day - after 24 hours in the air with 2 small kids I could do with a night in the YUL Marriott before we face the in laws 😉. Is this a reasonable request? (I’m *G, spouse SE, and kids are *G and *S fwiw)
Getting your bags in YUL, walking to the Marriott, checking in, getting settled into the room and organized with two young kids and then going back to the airport the next day will take you at least 90 minutes.
Mar 26, 2019, 3:53 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Tokyo
Programs: SQ, NH, AC *G, Starwood Gold
Posts: 28
Update: no compensation or refund if we stay on the downgauged aircraft in economy, but when pressed AC offered to move us to an earlier flight in biz. All’s well that ends well.
Mar 26, 2019, 8:10 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 161
I am sure you will get a credit back for the fare difference in that last segment, however to add an extra day to your trip for a 90 minute flight doesn't seem worth the headache and effort to me.
Getting your bags in YUL, walking to the Marriott, checking in, getting settled into the room and organized with two young kids and then going back to the airport the next day will take you at least 90 minutes.
Getting your bags in YUL, walking to the Marriott, checking in, getting settled into the room and organized with two young kids and then going back to the airport the next day will take you at least 90 minutes.
Mar 26, 2019, 10:54 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ/MGA
Programs: AA 1MM Lifetime Gold, AA Platinum, WS Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 7,607
Many people here first gripe/complain/ponder here vs. asking the airline so you are not alone. AC solved it and you never really had an issue at all, about seats, classes, hotels and whatnot. More people should look at the airline as step 1 then post here when they turn out to be pillocks.
Mar 26, 2019, 8:49 pm
#7
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
Many people here first gripe/complain/ponder here vs. asking the airline so you are not alone. AC solved it and you never really had an issue at all, about seats, classes, hotels and whatnot. More people should look at the airline as step 1 then post here when they turn out to be pillocks.
Mar 26, 2019, 9:55 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Tokyo
Programs: SQ, NH, AC *G, Starwood Gold
Posts: 28
Many people here first gripe/complain/ponder here vs. asking the airline so you are not alone. AC solved it and you never really had an issue at all, about seats, classes, hotels and whatnot. More people should look at the airline as step 1 then post here when they turn out to be pillocks.
Mar 27, 2019, 1:03 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: United Silver, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 378
Timely thread OP. I was just notified of a downgrade from paid business to economy for the family from YYZ to NAS in July 2019. Apparently the new configuration is all economy. I called AC and the agent recommended I send an email to recover the fare difference. There doesn't appear to be any business options on this route in July around our dates that I could find anymore. 
Mar 27, 2019, 1:24 am
#10
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
Timely thread OP. I was just notified of a downgrade from paid business to economy for the family from YYZ to NAS in July 2019. Apparently the new configuration is all economy. I called AC and the agent recommended I send an email to recover the fare difference. There doesn't appear to be any business options on this route in July around our dates that I could find anymore.
Mar 27, 2019, 8:08 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: United Silver, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 378
Are you looking only at AC or have you looked at other carriers? You're eligible for a full refund from AC, so if you found a good deal on another carrier in J, e.g. DL YYZ-ATL-NAS, that was preferable to you over sitting in Y and getting meagre downgrade compensation from AC, that would also be an option.
Mar 27, 2019, 8:29 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
Mar 27, 2019, 8:36 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,958