advice needed for downgraded first class passenger
#1
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advice needed for downgraded first class passenger
Hi,
A good friend of mine was downgraded on Monday from a paid first class flight to business. He was handed a visa card with $657 on it which is not much use for him as he resides in Asia, despite being British.
He does not hold any status with BA.
He was then disturbed asleep in his business seat with a dripping from above him, so didn't have a great return flight from Miami.
What options does he have and what should he do?
He is a regular flyer but made the mistake of assuming that a first class ticket was a first class ticket and didn't book his seat only, however did turn up well before the flight so was not late at all.
Advice welcome from those who are experts here. Thanks!
A good friend of mine was downgraded on Monday from a paid first class flight to business. He was handed a visa card with $657 on it which is not much use for him as he resides in Asia, despite being British.
He does not hold any status with BA.
He was then disturbed asleep in his business seat with a dripping from above him, so didn't have a great return flight from Miami.
What options does he have and what should he do?
He is a regular flyer but made the mistake of assuming that a first class ticket was a first class ticket and didn't book his seat only, however did turn up well before the flight so was not late at all.
Advice welcome from those who are experts here. Thanks!
#2
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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Anyone with a First ticket gets free seat reservation, and an auto-seating if they don't go to MMB, so I guess there is more to that story (e.g. a very late booking? Unticketed?).
Otherwise refer him to the main EC261 thread, via the Dashboard, for the detailed calculation for downgrades. The dripping water should have been mentioned to the CSD / CSM since they can make instant amends via the iPad, and if that wasn't done the traveller should raise that as a separate issue with Customer Relations via the webform.
The card can of course be used in any ATM, supermarket or what not, you just lose a chunk on the exchange rate. It's important not to accept a card if there is no way to use it, and just as important to use it quickly in case the password slip is lost or is incorrectly matched to the card. The best thing to do is to take as much out as possible, then use the remainer of the card when next is a US dollar zone to exhaust the last few cents. Unfortunately the current cards don't appear to be touchless, otherwise they could be used on public transport (etc).
Otherwise refer him to the main EC261 thread, via the Dashboard, for the detailed calculation for downgrades. The dripping water should have been mentioned to the CSD / CSM since they can make instant amends via the iPad, and if that wasn't done the traveller should raise that as a separate issue with Customer Relations via the webform.
The card can of course be used in any ATM, supermarket or what not, you just lose a chunk on the exchange rate. It's important not to accept a card if there is no way to use it, and just as important to use it quickly in case the password slip is lost or is incorrectly matched to the card. The best thing to do is to take as much out as possible, then use the remainer of the card when next is a US dollar zone to exhaust the last few cents. Unfortunately the current cards don't appear to be touchless, otherwise they could be used on public transport (etc).
#4
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He has two separate claims - and I would keep them separate
1. for the downgrade as per the other posts for downgrade reimbursement under EU261
2. for a customer service gesture for the dripping water. I assume they raised it on board - if he did the CC should have logged it already.
1. for the downgrade as per the other posts for downgrade reimbursement under EU261
2. for a customer service gesture for the dripping water. I assume they raised it on board - if he did the CC should have logged it already.
#5
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Anyone with a First ticket gets free seat reservation, and an auto-seating if they don't go to MMB, so I guess there is more to that story (e.g. a very late booking? Unticketed?).
Otherwise refer him to the main EC261 thread, via the Dashboard, for the detailed calculation for downgrades. The dripping water should have been mentioned to the CSD / CSM since they can make instant amends via the iPad, and if that wasn't done the traveller should raise that as a separate issue with Customer Relations via the webform.
The card can of course be used in any ATM, supermarket or what not, you just lose a chunk on the exchange rate. It's important not to accept a card if there is no way to use it, and just as important to use it quickly in case the password slip is lost or is incorrectly matched to the card. The best thing to do is to take as much out as possible, then use the remainer of the card when next is a US dollar zone to exhaust the last few cents. Unfortunately the current cards don't appear to be touchless, otherwise they could be used on public transport (etc).
Otherwise refer him to the main EC261 thread, via the Dashboard, for the detailed calculation for downgrades. The dripping water should have been mentioned to the CSD / CSM since they can make instant amends via the iPad, and if that wasn't done the traveller should raise that as a separate issue with Customer Relations via the webform.
The card can of course be used in any ATM, supermarket or what not, you just lose a chunk on the exchange rate. It's important not to accept a card if there is no way to use it, and just as important to use it quickly in case the password slip is lost or is incorrectly matched to the card. The best thing to do is to take as much out as possible, then use the remainer of the card when next is a US dollar zone to exhaust the last few cents. Unfortunately the current cards don't appear to be touchless, otherwise they could be used on public transport (etc).
He was told that the cabin had been oversold and that he was the one picked out - he didn't check in online and I suppose did not go to book his seat or check where he was. He usually flies business, but fancied going first on this trip. No issues outbound etc.
#6
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The first question is what the base segment fare was for the F ticket. He is due 75% of that. Depending on how much he paid for his ticket and how much of that is base segment, it is impossible to calculate whether he is due more and, if so, how more. As to the form of payment, it is more than likely that BA will reissue that either in his preferred local currency or as a check or bank transfer as the case may be. In other words, a Yen card if he lives in Japan.
I would forget about the drip. It only detracts from the central issue here and frankly, if he did not take it up onboard, not worth much now.
I would forget about the drip. It only detracts from the central issue here and frankly, if he did not take it up onboard, not worth much now.
#7
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The first question is what the base segment fare was for the F ticket. He is due 75% of that. Depending on how much he paid for his ticket and how much of that is base segment, it is impossible to calculate whether he is due more and, if so, how more. As to the form of payment, it is more than likely that BA will reissue that either in his preferred local currency or as a check or bank transfer as the case may be. In other words, a Yen card if he lives in Japan.
I would forget about the drip. It only detracts from the central issue here and frankly, if he did not take it up onboard, not worth much now.
I would forget about the drip. It only detracts from the central issue here and frankly, if he did not take it up onboard, not worth much now.
How would he find out the base segment fare? is that 50% of the fare paid? Sorry for being a bit thick. But trying to help him out.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2013
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The preloaded card is a gesture BA give, on top of the legal entitlement to 75% of the fare for the applicable sector and any minor difference in taxes (not the whole ticket price). Customer Relations can cancel the card, verify the amount on it and issue a payment in local currency direct to your friend. The issue with being dripped on would only get an apology at worst and a few thousand Avios at best.
#9
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Several ways of doing it, but have a look at the e-ticket on his email, since the base fare and taxes are listed out there. You can also do a dummy booking now for a flight in the near future, though there would be minor(ish!) exchange rate differences. The main EC261 thread then steps you through the Mennens calculation method.
#10
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If your friend looks at his e-ticket receipt, he should see 1-3 lines of what looks like gibberish with letters and numbers. Somewhere in there, he should see MIA-LHR/XXXXX/YYYY.YY. The "X" is the fare basis and the "Y" is the base segment fare for MIA-LHR. If he multiplies that number by 75%, he will have the refund he is due (note that it is a refund, not compensation).
#13
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The first question is what the base segment fare was for the F ticket.
#14
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It depends. It would be pro-rata for a through fare. However, if the price was made-up of several distinct fare components, the calculation would have to be based on the relevant fare component (which may or may not have to be pro-rated depending on what the fare component covers).