simd

That is how we saw it as well. I only heard about this a few days after the fact.

The more I reflect back on this, the more I realize that this is the result of having local contract staff who only see a maximum of two AC flights per day being given the responsibility for making decisions on the spot. They were completely overwhelmed by a change in aircraft causing multiple changes in seating, as well as obvious pressure to get a flight out on time. My reply from AC indicated that they would be bringing this to the attention of their "airport management team".

Podcat

That is the question.

Jumper Jack

OP, did you get anything extra from AC at this point?

simd

I haven't pushed for anything more than the 2 x 25% vouchers, as well as the fare-difference refunds. I think I can leverage those into fairly worthwhile savings on our next few flights.
Aside from personal gain, my main goal would be better handling of IRROPS (especially at smaller stations), more transparency in managing downgrades, and protection of benefits for passengers with status. If my feedback to AC can achieve small amounts of any of this, then I am okay.

yvr76

AC has been a lot better in proactive notifications for IRROPS recently, including self serve options to pick your own replacement flights. I wonder if things fall apart as you get closer to departure. This is one reason I always check travel at least 1 week prior to departure, and OLCI T-24 for every flight. EF alerts are a good idea, I just can't be bothered to set them for every segment.

None of this should be necessary (especially for an SE or Elite booking in J), but still protects you against airline incompetence (same reason I call a hotel if I'm arriving past 8pm to avoid getting walked despite having status).

Stranger

Seems true for SEs, not sure otherwise. At least as per recent experience.

We had two events in the last few weeks. First was on an itinerary YYC-YUL-Europe, leaving YYC at 12:45 or so. I was on a paid P fare, my wife on a reward. The flight to YUL turned out to be delayed by something like four hours, thus missing our connection.

I woke up to a couple of e-mails. One you mentioning the delay. But also another one rebooking me on an earlier flight. Nothing for my wife.

After I called the concierge line, they rebooked her on the same flight, but in Y, waitlisted for J. She did eventually end up in J after the YYC concierge helped. The concierge mentioned that she was the person who had rebooked me, but not my wife, which she would have done if the two files would have been cross-referenced.

OTOH ten days later, we were on the same file, companion fare in latitude with confirmed upgrades, our LH into FRA got delayed and we missed the connection to the FRA-YYC flight. Concierge in FRA rebooked us both via YYZ in J. This said, I had called the central concierge line and I had requested that they altert the FRA concierges.

canadiancow

1 week is not IRROPS

I recall travelling with the bovine on one PNR once (pre Amadeus; this wouldn't be possible any more), and after IRROPS, a concierge rebooked me into J (from R), but not the bovine. He was "only 50K". They did it with only a bit of nudging, but I've certainly heard many anecdotes along the lines of "the SE's +1 on the same PNR does not get all the SE benefits".