Delta's Power over Partner Airlines?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: New York City, NY
Programs: Delta DM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 63
Delta's Power over Partner Airlines?
Hello all,
I am a DM who was recently on an AeroMexico flight in business class (J fare). I was offered a bump in exchange for a J fare to anywhere in the world AM flies. Upon attempting to redeem the voucher, I was told that it is valid only for economy. AM makes it awfully painful to sort anything out (on purpose) and their customer service email (the only way to dispute this according to phone rep) hasn't responded in a month. At this point, I called the DM line in the hopes they had some answer but it looks like they don't. Does Delta have any power to help escalate this issue to AM? It seems as if I was scammed and won't be able to do much about it...
I am a DM who was recently on an AeroMexico flight in business class (J fare). I was offered a bump in exchange for a J fare to anywhere in the world AM flies. Upon attempting to redeem the voucher, I was told that it is valid only for economy. AM makes it awfully painful to sort anything out (on purpose) and their customer service email (the only way to dispute this according to phone rep) hasn't responded in a month. At this point, I called the DM line in the hopes they had some answer but it looks like they don't. Does Delta have any power to help escalate this issue to AM? It seems as if I was scammed and won't be able to do much about it...
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
If the VDB happened on a flight to/from the USA, you could try filing a complaint with the DOT.
#4
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat-ist, Bonvoyyyyyyed, Hilton $15 Daily F&B Receiver, Food Lion MVP
Posts: 1,203
What does the actual voucher say? Did you confirm terms when you accepted the bump?
But likely, no, there's little DL can do to enforce AM's policies. That being said, I remember that one of the old DL guys was made an AM head honcho when DL increased their ownership stake. If this continues to escalate, it may be worth it to dig up who that was and find their email address if you can.
But likely, no, there's little DL can do to enforce AM's policies. That being said, I remember that one of the old DL guys was made an AM head honcho when DL increased their ownership stake. If this continues to escalate, it may be worth it to dig up who that was and find their email address if you can.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: New York City, NY
Programs: Delta DM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 63
The voucher says nothing - it is a blank ticket slip with a barcode and number. I watched the supervisor type into the computer "Class Premier J Fare" and thus didn't make a fuss about having terms printed out on this--learning the hard way.
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Have you tried more than once to redeem it and are you sure that you were trying for flights having business class space available in the right inventory category? I'm wondering whether there could be some communication failures happening.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: New York City, NY
Programs: Delta DM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 63
Yes, tried with 4 different agents over 2 days. I believe the problem is that the standard voucher AM issues for bumps is for economy but since I was flying J, I was promised J class (and this was noted in the computer by the gate supervisor, witnessed by me). Somehow that note either got lost or deleted it seems.
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
When you called, did you clearly remind the agent that the voucher was from a paid J ticket? AM policy might be to issue the J voucher for J bumps, in which case it could be easy to check the history, especially if you know your original ticket number.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,482
Original thread. There seems to be some misunderstanding. Was the AM agent English speaker? OP was bumped from AM to DL, hence it was likely between US and Mexico.
Earning MQM/MQDs from Partner Voucher?
Earning MQM/MQDs from Partner Voucher?
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,482
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
Yes, tried with 4 different agents over 2 days. I believe the problem is that the standard voucher AM issues for bumps is for economy but since I was flying J, I was promised J class (and this was noted in the computer by the gate supervisor, witnessed by me). Somehow that note either got lost or deleted it seems.
#12
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: San Francisco
Programs: DL
Posts: 466
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,482
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: New York City, NY
Programs: Delta DM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 63
Yes, bumped FROM J fare FOR J fare voucher. I do agree AM customer service makes it as difficult as possible to get anything from them and the frustration is off the charts dealing with them. I did file a report with the DOT just now, waiting game now.