BusinessFirst missed connection = downgrade on other carrier?
 

My father is traveling in BusinessFirst on an R fare today. He is flying from LIT to IAH on continental express flight 2673 connecting to IAH- CDG flight 10. As it stand his flight from LIT is so late that he will arrive after the IAH-CDG departure. He spoke with the continental agent in LIT who has protected him on the later Air France 31 flight but would only put him in Y.

I have suggested that he go to the lounge in Houston if he misses his connection to see if he can be placed in Business on Air France.

Any suggestions on how to handle this? I understand that the R fare was a discount fare but you would think continental would honor the business class anyway. He does not have status with continental or any other sky team member.

Thanks!

What is the reason for the delay?

Edit: It says Maintenance.

I would insist on rebooking in the purchased class of travel: business.

It looks like CO 2883 is going to get there sooner. Perhaps rebook to that for now? Also, because it was CO's fault he should be rebooked into Business.

As he paid for a J ticket, CO gets to accommodate him in J. Period.

I'd start by finding the concierge (aka grey-coat), there's normally one in the lounge, explain the situation and inform him/her the current situation is unacceptable and as to be re-accommodated in AF J. However as of this posting it looks like AF J is sold out this evening on the non-stop so that may not be an option.

At a quick glance it looks like there's J space on the late IAH-LHR flight so that could be a back up. An example itiniary with this flight would be:

UNACCEPTABLE. Demand to be booked on another carrier in J or get CO to pay for hotel and confirmed J class the next day.

I had this happen to me going SLC-IAH-LGW. The SLC-IAH was a DL codeshare and the DL agent rebooked me in Y SLC-CVG-. When I complained, he was such a jerk and told me it was "take it or leave it" and that my behavior indicated I didn't want to get on the plane, when I asked to speak with his supervisor he told me none would be available until after the SLC-CVG flight departed.

just another day with DL service

wow. :td:! is that typical with dl?
and what happened afterwards?

Yes, my mom and sister missed a connection on a CO reward booked on DL. They waited 4 hours before putting them on a CO flight into EWR rather than original routing of LGA. I wrote a nasty letter and they sent me (them) 2-$100 vouchers.

Thank you for all your helpful replies and suggestions.

Good news! Looks like the BusinessFirst Concierge worked their magic. I havent spoken to my father but pulled up his booking and it now shows that he is on the 3:45 delta flight ( 6330 ) from LIT to CVG followed by CVG to CDG ( Delta 44) in BusinessElite. I will know more once he arrives in France and will post the details but it does appear that continental came through after all. Bravo!

Glad to hear everything worked out ^

I think the issue with Y on the AF IAH-CDG flight was that it's sold out tonight in J and F is not offered on the 330's. But either way I'm glad to see things came together; connecting in CVG will be better than doing so in LHR (or who knows where) IMHO.

And people wonder what the point is of the BF concierges... ;)

Wow, that's surprising to hear. I've had nothing but good service from DL.

I haven't misconnected with them, but they've done a number of little things for us:

- Blocked a middle seat next to me without asking
- Op up after a VDB
- Manually connect through a bag with a > 12-hour connection (computer didn't want to)

Me, too.

Me three. They pushed me to a UA non-stop SFO-IAD when SFO-SLC-IAD was going to misconnect due to weather.