backdoc

I'm on flight DL424 JFK-LAX "DeltaOne". I had specifically booked this flight so that I could sleep but they subbed-out the "767-300 Winglets" 1-2-1 config for the OLD-OLD 767-300 2-2-2 config no lay flat.

I know this a 1st world problem, I wanted lay flat seats.

What is the likelihood of getting anything out of a Red Coat when I land? (not holding my breath, I'm getting from point A to point B).

Thanks,

Steve

PS, two more flight segments 'til Gold for 2016

MSPeconomist

When you noticed the aircraft change on the seat map, why didn't you try to SDC?

backdoc

If I were traveling alone I would have. This old bird is a POS.

The fancy headsets are even the wrong connector!


Steve

DLATL777

First-congrats on an appropriate, none-entitled nor narcissistic post-You are absolutely entitled to lie-flat on this route and you deserve it. If you PAID for business a refund and/or mileage compensation is likely due, if it was an upgrade I would expect at least to get my instrument back or mileage compensation.

In any regard I wish you luck-DL doesn't care all that much sadly, just make sure they know what they have to "throw" at it to make it go away.

backdoc

Yes, I paid for it, no upgrade. On the original seat map there was only 1 seat available in the front. After the equipment change there were A LOT available. Strangely enough there is only one seat empty in the forward cabin. I doubt that this many people chose to upgrade with cash at the gate esp on this tin can.

My guess is that they oversold it and swapped equipment. On this trip I only book DeltaOne so I'll be even more vigilant in the future, Shena Be Gone!

So what would you ask for? Flight coupon, miles (worthless....)?

Steve

krlcomm

Congratulations! Delta got to swap out your D1 seat for the absolute worst F seat in commercial aviation history and there's not much you can do about it. Pitiful move on Delta's part, just pitiful.

backdoc

I know, but I'd like a few more minutes to whine about it.

krlcomm

Take as long as you like, I'm 100% on your side on this one! Absolute 100% b.s. move on DL's part. That 767-300 is a giant POS in F... You were royally screwed.

krlcomm

Deleted

jrl767

I'd start with asking for e-credit for the difference between D1 and whatever the lowest G/A/P fare typically is on the route, however many days in advance you booked (this will likely be on a connection, but the point is that you wanted to fly up front for as little cash outlay as possible) ... looking for tomorrow, D1 is $2216 and there's one flight over SLC for $1171; next Mon D1 is $1921 and the lowest one-stop is $1014; two weeks out $1821 vs $867 ... so ~$1000 is probably the ballpark answer

backdoc

No connections.

MSPeconomist

Depending on when the OP purchased tickets, the difference could have been more or less. Also, one could argue that there's value in taking a nonstop over a connection, so I think taking the fare difference as you suggest overstates what would be fair.

backdoc

I'm not good at complaining in person, but I'm pretty good on paper.

I bought the ticket 9/11/15 for $1196.20 USD RT (yes I'm a good bargain hunter)

DELTA 1908
SEAT 02A
DELTA 424
SEAT 01A

What would be the best strategy?

ATOBTTR

OP, you are absolutely due something for this. DL advertises this as a premium product. IMO DL really dropped by the ball here by not being up front and being proactive about handling this situation with the D1 passengers. Even if this was a last minute equipment sub (and I'm guessing it was), DL should have offered to the passengers in the D1 cabin either 1) a significant refund or voucher/compensation or 2) told them what flights were available later in the day with open D1 seats, either JFK-LAX or via SFO and then connecting down to LAX, while still offering compensation for the inconvenience.

I'd be demanding the difference between what I paid and the lowest economy fare of the day I bought the ticket, going with the argument "Had I known the day of the flight you were going to sub in equipment with the worst FC product in the DL fleet, I would have bought an economy ticket".

Probably wasn't subbed due to an oversell. It was probably a last minute equipment sub as the 767 with D1 went mechanical and DL subbed in the "domestic" 767 last minute. I get that DL wanted the flight to go on time. But where I fault DL is for not being proactive with the D1 passengers who certainly did not get what they paid for.

LoganFlyer

You're not going to find a non-stop fare on JFK-LAX that isn't Delta One priced, so I would start by looking at other similar length flights. You bought the ticket about two months out; right now JFK-SAN, a route only 29 miles shorter than JFK-LAX, is showing a one-way first class fare of $547.10 for many dates in January. Those flights are on a 737, so they're not D1. Since you paid $1196.20 r/t, that's $598.10 each way. So you could argue for a refund of $51.

Sorry, man. I thought this was going to work out much better in your favor. I tried other west coast cities from JFK and they weren't any better. I'd still ask for more than $50; I'd probably start by asking for $200, but as a voucher and not a refund.