Downgraded from paid FC - resolved
Nov 20, 2018, 7:34 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,319
Second Update:
I decided to call DL again 1 more time and I spoke with the best agent yet. He actually let me speak to the supervisor who decided to give me a $200 voucher anyway and put notes in my reservation to make sure the GA sees that I need to be put back in FC over a complimentary medallion UGs. She also told me that I was the only one who was bumped.
ADDED: Also note that she told me that the standard downgrade compensation is now only $100 instead of $200 but she still gave me the $200 voucher anyway for my inconvenience.
Nov 20, 2018, 7:35 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: HSV
Programs: Bellevue Lifetime Premiere Mega Elite Supreme
Posts: 1,509
Nov 20, 2018, 9:26 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2003
Programs: former MD-88 jumpseat Medallion. DL FO, AA PLT PRO. Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 752
Curious if you're on a true "paid" F fare and not an UP fare. Yes, you would still be due a voucher of some kind, which it sounds like you already got. But I don't think a fare difference would be due in that case. Let us know what happens.
My understanding is that downgrades are supposed to be handled by ACS at the gate (NOT RES). But- equipment changes aren't always a last-minute thing. If the equipment is changed at any time, the new seatmap will get loaded and the auto-REACCOM will be run. I wish it would just take the people who lost seats and put them onto the airport standby list ("HK") and let the gates solicit for volunteers and handle it. The gate agent could then downgrade appropriately if they don't get any volunteers.
I have one of these tomorrow (G class, booked into G at the time of booking, but the fare basis is T). B739 for me. The pucker factor is high after your tale. lol.
My understanding is that downgrades are supposed to be handled by ACS at the gate (NOT RES). But- equipment changes aren't always a last-minute thing. If the equipment is changed at any time, the new seatmap will get loaded and the auto-REACCOM will be run. I wish it would just take the people who lost seats and put them onto the airport standby list ("HK") and let the gates solicit for volunteers and handle it. The gate agent could then downgrade appropriately if they don't get any volunteers.
I have one of these tomorrow (G class, booked into G at the time of booking, but the fare basis is T). B739 for me. The pucker factor is high after your tale. lol.
Nov 20, 2018, 9:42 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Curious if you're on a true "paid" F fare and not an UP fare. Yes, you would still be due a voucher of some kind, which it sounds like you already got. But I don't think a fare difference would be due in that case. Let us know what happens.
My understanding is that downgrades are supposed to be handled by ACS at the gate (NOT RES). But- equipment changes aren't always a last-minute thing. If the equipment is changed at any time, the new seatmap will get loaded and the auto-REACCOM will be run. I wish it would just take the people who lost seats and put them onto the airport standby list ("HK") and let the gates solicit for volunteers and handle it. The gate agent could then downgrade appropriately if they don't get any volunteers.
I have one of these tomorrow (G class, booked into G at the time of booking, but the fare basis is T). B739 for me. The pucker factor is high after your tale. lol.
My understanding is that downgrades are supposed to be handled by ACS at the gate (NOT RES). But- equipment changes aren't always a last-minute thing. If the equipment is changed at any time, the new seatmap will get loaded and the auto-REACCOM will be run. I wish it would just take the people who lost seats and put them onto the airport standby list ("HK") and let the gates solicit for volunteers and handle it. The gate agent could then downgrade appropriately if they don't get any volunteers.
I have one of these tomorrow (G class, booked into G at the time of booking, but the fare basis is T). B739 for me. The pucker factor is high after your tale. lol.
Nov 20, 2018, 10:24 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
I have only had a similar situation once and they got me and my companion in.
Nov 20, 2018, 10:56 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Even with an UP fare, the difference between it and the cheapest economy ticket on date of purchase is due. UP fares are no longer considered economy fares by DL.
Nov 21, 2018, 12:50 am
#22
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
No, it was a 753 which has 24 seats with 6 rows and it was downgraded to a 75D which only has 20 seats and 5 rows and I was originally in Row 4.
Second Update:
I decided to call DL again 1 more time and I spoke with the best agent yet. He actually let me speak to the supervisor who decided to give me a $200 voucher anyway and put notes in my reservation to make sure the GA sees that I need to be put back in FC over a complimentary medallion UGs. She also told me that I was the only one who was bumped.
ADDED: Also note that she told me that the standard downgrade compensation is now only $100 instead of $200 but she still gave me the $200 voucher anyway for my inconvenience.
$100 for downgrades now? When did that change?
And they can't even get downgrades right - lie to a paying customer and make them jump through hoops to fix DL's screw up
Nov 21, 2018, 3:25 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,319
Final Update:
When I woke up this morning, I checked the DL app and noticed 1 seat had came open and it just happened to be next to my companion so I quickly grabbed it and I’m now back in FC.
Thank you guys for your advice! I also get to keep my $200 voucher as well!
When I woke up this morning, I checked the DL app and noticed 1 seat had came open and it just happened to be next to my companion so I quickly grabbed it and I’m now back in FC.
Thank you guys for your advice! I also get to keep my $200 voucher as well!
Nov 21, 2018, 5:21 am
#24
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM+(segs)/MM, UA Ag, Hilton DM, Marriott Ti (life Pt), TSA Opt-out Platinum
Posts: 3,227
*I'm assuming they purchased F class and weren't upgraded.
Nov 21, 2018, 10:03 am
#25
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
My two downgrade experiences turned out pretty well.
The first, I was bumped out of FC on PHL-ATL. I had used an RUC to upgrade, and they gave me $600 in compensation. When I scanned my BP, a FC seat assignment slip printed, and I got to keep the voucher.
The second was DCA-JFK on a regular upgrade. They gave me a $200 voucher, but I cleared back into FC at the gate.
The first, I was bumped out of FC on PHL-ATL. I had used an RUC to upgrade, and they gave me $600 in compensation. When I scanned my BP, a FC seat assignment slip printed, and I got to keep the voucher.
The second was DCA-JFK on a regular upgrade. They gave me a $200 voucher, but I cleared back into FC at the gate.
Nov 21, 2018, 10:43 am
#26
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,630
We had a paid FC / Business ticket from SDQ to CDG via JFK. For some reason my spouse was downgraded and then put in the upgrade list (#3 for 1 seat). The check-in agent was useless and basically said two people were ahead of her and did not understand at all that she was a paying FC passenger with a C+ seat assigned. When her BP was printed, she actually got a FC seat assignment (the ticket agent didn't even notice), it seems that as soon as she was checked into the flight, she was moved to FC.
Long story short, she was also moved on the JFK-CDG segment from J to F (AF) not sure why, but two hours before the flight she was moved back to J.
Long story short, she was also moved on the JFK-CDG segment from J to F (AF) not sure why, but two hours before the flight she was moved back to J.
Nov 21, 2018, 12:54 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: USA
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 195
I have to agree on this point - someone actually made the call that $200 was too much compensation for a premium cabin customer who is involuntarily downgraded.
Nov 21, 2018, 2:04 pm
#28
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Before we jump all over this let's be sure this is the case. Just because one phone agent told one customer this does not mean it is actually a real policy.
Nov 21, 2018, 2:25 pm
#30
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,413
I agree. When someone purchases a FC ticket, it should mean a commitment by DL to fly them in FC and not just an option that the customer might get a FC seat if it's convenient for DL on the day of departure or if DL doesn't manage to resell that FC seat for more money than the original customer might have paid.