Bumped from First to Business
Sep 30, 2016, 9:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 84
Bumped from First to Business
Our friends were travelling LHR to JFK on a 241 Amex companion voucher.
One of the two were bumped down from First to Business.
Only told at check in. Reason stated was that there were higher status flyers they had to give priority to and they are blue.
They were offered 500 pounds and told that they would get the avios difference between first and business.
Is this the correct compensation or should they go for a higher figure.
Thanks for any assistance.
One of the two were bumped down from First to Business.
Only told at check in. Reason stated was that there were higher status flyers they had to give priority to and they are blue.
They were offered 500 pounds and told that they would get the avios difference between first and business.
Is this the correct compensation or should they go for a higher figure.
Thanks for any assistance.
Sep 30, 2016, 9:36 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: London
Posts: 344
You should take a look at the EC261 thread dealing with downgrades. I thought it was a pretty clear rule that you got 75% back in a situation like this.
Of course, the question is 75% of what? The total fare, or just the cost of that leg? And what about the companion voucher - how is that valued? And the cash element - I think there was a recent case which means they won't get any refund of the cash element of the fare.
As I say, EC261 thread is worth a read. I hope it works out for them. Personally I'd be OK with having 75% of my avios back to fly in CW on an overnight from JFK to LHR- if they play it right they might end up with more avios than they started with!
Of course, the question is 75% of what? The total fare, or just the cost of that leg? And what about the companion voucher - how is that valued? And the cash element - I think there was a recent case which means they won't get any refund of the cash element of the fare.
As I say, EC261 thread is worth a read. I hope it works out for them. Personally I'd be OK with having 75% of my avios back to fly in CW on an overnight from JFK to LHR- if they play it right they might end up with more avios than they started with!
Sep 30, 2016, 11:36 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
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Posts: 5,114
You should take a look at the EC261 thread dealing with downgrades. I thought it was a pretty clear rule that you got 75% back in a situation like this.
Of course, the question is 75% of what? The total fare, or just the cost of that leg? And what about the companion voucher - how is that valued? And the cash element - I think there was a recent case which means they won't get any refund of the cash element of the fare.
As I say, EC261 thread is worth a read. I hope it works out for them. Personally I'd be OK with having 75% of my avios back to fly in CW on an overnight from JFK to LHR- if they play it right they might end up with more avios than they started with!
Of course, the question is 75% of what? The total fare, or just the cost of that leg? And what about the companion voucher - how is that valued? And the cash element - I think there was a recent case which means they won't get any refund of the cash element of the fare.
As I say, EC261 thread is worth a read. I hope it works out for them. Personally I'd be OK with having 75% of my avios back to fly in CW on an overnight from JFK to LHR- if they play it right they might end up with more avios than they started with!
Sep 30, 2016, 12:09 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA LTGold; LH Senator; HHGold; Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 1,370
i wonder if they asked for volunteers? I often wonder if you are offered a good package in this sort of situation, lower teir Avios or cheap tickets might think about taking it, just in case they get selected.
Sep 30, 2016, 12:27 pm
#8
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F to J probably attracts the same taxes and airport fees, so no cash due on that portion, but I don't think that the BA imposed fees can be treated as a tax. But that's maybe Ł300-400 return, so 75% of one way isn't much. If the difference in Avios is being provided I'd agree it's probably best to take the cash and Avios difference.
Sep 30, 2016, 12:52 pm
#9
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Curious if this has ever happened to folks using AA miles for reward tickets in F on BA (say from DFW to LHR or from LHR to IAD)......
Sep 30, 2016, 5:05 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 84
Thanks for responses. My friends really appreciate the
comments. We do not think there was a request made for
voluntary downgrades. We think that a big client wanted to pay the Ł6,600
price and thus is the reason for the bump to business.
How should they now respond to BA? Can someone please advise
what the correct compensation should be.
It's a 241 reward one person from F to Business. LHR toJFK
Thank you all
comments. We do not think there was a request made for
voluntary downgrades. We think that a big client wanted to pay the Ł6,600
price and thus is the reason for the bump to business.
How should they now respond to BA? Can someone please advise
what the correct compensation should be.
It's a 241 reward one person from F to Business. LHR toJFK
Thank you all
Sep 30, 2016, 5:43 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
There is also recent non-binding EU guidance to the effect that the downgrade on the voucher would not be subject to any compensation under EC 261/2004. Thus, presuming that the guidance stands up in the UK, and it is well-reasoned, the GBP 500 is a tidy customer service gesture.
There is a lot of speculation as to how one would calculate 75% of a piece of free paper, but this EU guidance may well put all of that to rest.
There is a lot of speculation as to how one would calculate 75% of a piece of free paper, but this EU guidance may well put all of that to rest.
Sep 30, 2016, 5:53 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,196
I can't say I've seen many instances of such a thing being aired on here.
Never nice being downgraded especially from F I imagine. I've only ever had it happen to me from J to Y and that was on a GRU-EZE sector with TAM. In this case I would most likely have refused just to see what happened next.
Never nice being downgraded especially from F I imagine. I've only ever had it happen to me from J to Y and that was on a GRU-EZE sector with TAM. In this case I would most likely have refused just to see what happened next.
Sep 30, 2016, 6:58 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Sep 30, 2016, 7:07 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: DUB/ORD/SIN/PVG
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Has anyone actually succeeded in getting a sensible comp offer from BA for an F to J downgrade while traveling on an award ticket?
