Paid revenue seats on J AC YVR-YYZ switched to AC Rouge J
 

We flew TPE-YVR-YYZ as revenue passengers in J class. Our TPE-YVR flight was delayed due to aircraft issues so they had to rebook our YVR-YYZ segment, for which they put us in J, BUT on AC Rouge. To think that when I had booked my segments months before, I had made sure to avoid AC Rouge at all costs. I had asked the agents at the TPE counter to change the YVR-YYZ flights but they wouldn't. I found J on Rouge to be a downgrade and would like compensation for that segment. I have filed with AC Customer Relations and have a case number. I haven't heard back after 10 days. Have contacted ACAltitude and AC on Twitter as well but no one has replied either. Naturally, I'm extremely frustrated (and disappointed) at this treatment and wish to know how long I should be waiting for AC Customer Relations to respond. What has been Flyer Talk members' experience? I'm keen to know what others think, too, about AC switching us to Rouge. Thanks very much in advance.

10 days is nothing. You can be waiting up to 2 months. They will likely offer you a (nearly useless) 10% off coupon for the inconvenience since technically you got what you paid for. Next time, fly EVA!

Was the original YVR-YYZ aircraft lie-flats? If so, you're entitled to some compensation. Otherwise how was it a downgrade? iPad instead of really dated IFE seats? 1" less seat pitch?

No you're not. The surcharge isn't levied on intercontinental itineraries, so there's nothing to refund. But this is the only situation I'd bother fighting.

Agreed.

Thanks for responding -- I'm certainly leaning towards EVA since I like their product a lot. Two months -- UGH. And thanks but no thanks to 10% off :)

Yes, they were lie-flats. It was a downgrade because J on Rouge isn't at par with J on AC. Yes, iPad, and yes, very dated seats.

Definitely what I'm going to fight over.

Oh dear. I would be very unhappy about this.

Yeah -- especially since we fly on our own dime.

I have found the rouge 763 seats are equally uncomfortable whether I've paid or someone else has.

Did you ask in YVR about re-booking to a later flight to avoid rouge (or earlier, if that was even possible)? And were you dealing with the concierge or just check-in agents?

I think you pretty much have the answer - technically nothing is due, but if you write in, AC will probably offer you a discount code or something else that could be worth a few bucks.

Revenue, own dime, upgrade or points wouldn't affect how I treat this , personally.

Either way , It wouldn't bother me

You will frustrate yourself and get nowhere.
Vote with your wallet and fly someone else next time, the only language AC understands.

AC doesn't care about loyalty to or from someone who flies 2-3x a year.

I have had a similar situation, flying Seoul-Vancouver-Toronto, having booked a lie-flat from YVR-YYZ, and then being switched to a 321 due to late arrival.
I just walked off the plane, asked them to put me on the next wide-body - which was the next morning - and the hotel was covered by my travel insurance.