Walked and then Involuntarily Downgraded from Delta One
Dec 24, 2022, 3:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2022
Programs: Marriott
Posts: 51
Walked and then Involuntarily Downgraded from Delta One
Last night our flight was cancelled
We were then rebooked into coach for the subsequent day. Delta refuses to honor the first class tickets we have even though seats are shown online and is unwilling to
Is there anything that a Delta Diamond can do? The 800 diamond number is now just routing to call centers with inexperienced agents after an hour of holding.
We were then rebooked into coach for the subsequent day. Delta refuses to honor the first class tickets we have even though seats are shown online and is unwilling to
Is there anything that a Delta Diamond can do? The 800 diamond number is now just routing to call centers with inexperienced agents after an hour of holding.
Last edited by golfnerd; Mar 21, 2023 at 5:12 am
Dec 24, 2022, 3:58 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,926
Last night our flight was cancelled from LAX-SYD with three confirmed first class seats. These were paid for 1 month ago before the flight.
The 8:00 flight was cancelled (after delays) and then all three of us were denied boarding on the later 10:35 PM flight.
We were then rebooked into coach for the subsequent day. Delta refuses to honor the first class tickets we have even though seats are shown online and is unwilling to
Is there anything that a Delta Diamond can do? The 800 diamond number is now just routing to call centers with inexperienced agents after an hour of holding.
This is terrible. A 15 hour flight in coach after paying for first, and we're sorta stuck because of how much we've already paid for the vacation.
Ugh, probably the worst airline experience I've ever had. And I've been downgraded for little two hour flights but not a 15 hour delta 1, after being denied boarding a second time.
Help! I've written customer care and Delta is now just a loop into call centers.
The 8:00 flight was cancelled (after delays) and then all three of us were denied boarding on the later 10:35 PM flight.
We were then rebooked into coach for the subsequent day. Delta refuses to honor the first class tickets we have even though seats are shown online and is unwilling to
Is there anything that a Delta Diamond can do? The 800 diamond number is now just routing to call centers with inexperienced agents after an hour of holding.
This is terrible. A 15 hour flight in coach after paying for first, and we're sorta stuck because of how much we've already paid for the vacation.
Ugh, probably the worst airline experience I've ever had. And I've been downgraded for little two hour flights but not a 15 hour delta 1, after being denied boarding a second time.
Help! I've written customer care and Delta is now just a loop into call centers.
You may have been accommodated in main cabin due to business class being full on the subsequent day flight. There are no first class cabin for Delta international flights.
Dec 24, 2022, 4:02 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2022
Programs: Marriott
Posts: 51
No reason was provided for denied boarding. They are likely overbooked for Delta One on the third flights, but the flight/class was already paid for. This would therefore be the third time that we are being denied our class of service on one route!
The value of being a Diamond is very much diminished to say the least. Downgrades/denied boarding and no CS.
The value of being a Diamond is very much diminished to say the least. Downgrades/denied boarding and no CS.
Dec 24, 2022, 4:08 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,723
Was the cancellation Delta's fault? If so go to the airport and ask the ticket agent to rebook you on another airline.
Or even if that's not the case, just go to Delta One check-in at LAX and have them try to fix it. Going to the airport is always a good backup if the phone agents can't fix it.
Or even if that's not the case, just go to Delta One check-in at LAX and have them try to fix it. Going to the airport is always a good backup if the phone agents can't fix it.
Dec 24, 2022, 4:18 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2022
Programs: Marriott
Posts: 51
so it was a combo of cash, flight credits and points. That shouldn’t matter. It wasn’t some complementary upgrade.
Im just going to go the airport. After trying for nearly 12 hours to get through to a helpful agent it’s so maddening.
lesson learned: delta is beyond shady
Im just going to go the airport. After trying for nearly 12 hours to get through to a helpful agent it’s so maddening.
lesson learned: delta is beyond shady
Dec 24, 2022, 4:32 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2022
Programs: Marriott
Posts: 51
Was the cancellation Delta's fault? If so go to the airport and ask the ticket agent to rebook you on another airline.
Or even if that's not the case, just go to Delta One check-in at LAX and have them try to fix it. Going to the airport is always a good backup if the phone agents can't fix it.
Or even if that's not the case, just go to Delta One check-in at LAX and have them try to fix it. Going to the airport is always a good backup if the phone agents can't fix it.
the second flight, no room.
another airline: won’t do it.
third flight: no room again but can’t get ahold of CS.
so this’ll actually be my fourth attempt to catch a flight, one cancel, two denials and then a downgrade after a 29 hr layover.
id have to think this is not normal
Dec 24, 2022, 4:34 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2022
Programs: Marriott
Posts: 51
I’m starting to think that the logic of if you say “paid 400k mikes pp for the comfort plus to delta one flight” and if the original flight is cancelled they then back out the paid upgrade portion.
incompetent and shady
incompetent and shady
Dec 24, 2022, 4:44 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
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the reason for the first flight was mechanical then plane change, it didn’t make sense and all the emails showing crazy flight changes/times etc indicated a serious it or human error because it was all contradictory.
the second flight, no room.
another airline: won’t do it.
third flight: no room again but can’t get ahold of CS.
so this’ll actually be my fourth attempt to catch a flight, one cancel, two denials and then a downgrade after a 29 hr layover.
id have to think this is not normal
the second flight, no room.
another airline: won’t do it.
third flight: no room again but can’t get ahold of CS.
so this’ll actually be my fourth attempt to catch a flight, one cancel, two denials and then a downgrade after a 29 hr layover.
id have to think this is not normal
You attempted boarding the flight but were denied boarding. Delta wouldn't tell you why. If you were boarding the flight, what cabin - Y? It seemed like you didn't want to be in Y, which I would agree, given you paid for J.
I am unable to connect the dots, if you didn't want to be re-accomodated in Y, then why were you boarding? If there are no space in J, that's NOT denied boarding.
Dec 24, 2022, 6:12 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,544
Christmas time is busy + all of the IRROPS across the country + pent up demand.
You attempted boarding the flight but were denied boarding. Delta wouldn't tell you why. If you were boarding the flight, what cabin - Y? It seemed like you didn't want to be in Y, which I would agree, given you paid for J.
I am unable to connect the dots, if you didn't want to be re-accomodated in Y, then why were you boarding? If there are no space in J, that's NOT denied boarding.
You attempted boarding the flight but were denied boarding. Delta wouldn't tell you why. If you were boarding the flight, what cabin - Y? It seemed like you didn't want to be in Y, which I would agree, given you paid for J.
I am unable to connect the dots, if you didn't want to be re-accomodated in Y, then why were you boarding? If there are no space in J, that's NOT denied boarding.
Dec 24, 2022, 7:51 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2022
Programs: Marriott
Posts: 51
I was circumspect on some things, but here are a few resolutions/observations when it's all said and done.
1. Delta Agents/reservations/not sure the titles lied a lot about the rules. Know the T&C's and push hard. Do not trust them, and if you ask them to cite what they are saying do not expect a truthful answer.
2. So for the first denied boarding, I was okayed in Y (despite paying J) while my wife/son were not provided seats, so splitting up would be ludicrous. We were all traveling together, all in J. As a result, we were then told that since I did not take the Y seat and leave my wife and young son alone, that therefore we were ALL not allowed to book a new flight with a different carrier.
3. On the new forcibly rebooked flight, since the upgrade was initially purchased with miles the "excuse: was "it's an upgrade" so therefore you cannot be in J since it's "complimentary" which it was NOT. So if you upgrade after the fact with miles/$ they've tried to create a loophole to deny said product if there are hiccups in the initial flight. In short, the only true J is if it is booked all together in cash or points, and that a later upgrade via cash, points or a certificate means nothing. This is what I was told.
After like 10 hours of calls/hold times I made it through to an actual diamond agent who immediately booked 2 of us into J and the 3 is pending since there may not be a seat. They understand that the rules will require a full refund of the difference in fares on the booking day. My assumption is that they will try to weasel out of this and ignore me.
to see that Delta was entirely comfortable making so many lies, errors and whatevers,, I think the value of the Diamond status is greatly diminished as there's just limited accountability to play by the rules and when push came to shove I really found myself unable to connect with any agent last night when we really needed help in order to catch the two flights we "should have" been on. I suspect that unless you are Delta 360, you can really find yourself SOL and no different than a gold member in crunch times--do not depend on them helping even if they have in the past.
Will the fourth flight make it? Hope so.
1. Delta Agents/reservations/not sure the titles lied a lot about the rules. Know the T&C's and push hard. Do not trust them, and if you ask them to cite what they are saying do not expect a truthful answer.
2. So for the first denied boarding, I was okayed in Y (despite paying J) while my wife/son were not provided seats, so splitting up would be ludicrous. We were all traveling together, all in J. As a result, we were then told that since I did not take the Y seat and leave my wife and young son alone, that therefore we were ALL not allowed to book a new flight with a different carrier.
3. On the new forcibly rebooked flight, since the upgrade was initially purchased with miles the "excuse: was "it's an upgrade" so therefore you cannot be in J since it's "complimentary" which it was NOT. So if you upgrade after the fact with miles/$ they've tried to create a loophole to deny said product if there are hiccups in the initial flight. In short, the only true J is if it is booked all together in cash or points, and that a later upgrade via cash, points or a certificate means nothing. This is what I was told.
After like 10 hours of calls/hold times I made it through to an actual diamond agent who immediately booked 2 of us into J and the 3 is pending since there may not be a seat. They understand that the rules will require a full refund of the difference in fares on the booking day. My assumption is that they will try to weasel out of this and ignore me.
to see that Delta was entirely comfortable making so many lies, errors and whatevers,, I think the value of the Diamond status is greatly diminished as there's just limited accountability to play by the rules and when push came to shove I really found myself unable to connect with any agent last night when we really needed help in order to catch the two flights we "should have" been on. I suspect that unless you are Delta 360, you can really find yourself SOL and no different than a gold member in crunch times--do not depend on them helping even if they have in the past.
Will the fourth flight make it? Hope so.
Dec 24, 2022, 8:07 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Delta Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,143
Last night our flight was cancelled from LAX-SYD with three confirmed first class seats. These were paid for 1 month ago before the flight.
The 8:00 flight was cancelled (after delays) and then all three of us were denied boarding on the later 10:35 PM flight.
We were then rebooked into coach for the subsequent day. Delta refuses to honor the first class tickets we have even though seats are shown online and is unwilling to
Is there anything that a Delta Diamond can do? The 800 diamond number is now just routing to call centers with inexperienced agents after an hour of holding.
This is terrible. A 15 hour flight in coach after paying for first, and we're sorta stuck because of how much we've already paid for the vacation.
Ugh, probably the worst airline experience I've ever had. And I've been downgraded for little two hour flights but not a 15 hour delta 1, after being denied boarding a second time.
Help! I've written customer care and Delta is now just a loop into call centers.
The 8:00 flight was cancelled (after delays) and then all three of us were denied boarding on the later 10:35 PM flight.
We were then rebooked into coach for the subsequent day. Delta refuses to honor the first class tickets we have even though seats are shown online and is unwilling to
Is there anything that a Delta Diamond can do? The 800 diamond number is now just routing to call centers with inexperienced agents after an hour of holding.
This is terrible. A 15 hour flight in coach after paying for first, and we're sorta stuck because of how much we've already paid for the vacation.
Ugh, probably the worst airline experience I've ever had. And I've been downgraded for little two hour flights but not a 15 hour delta 1, after being denied boarding a second time.
Help! I've written customer care and Delta is now just a loop into call centers.
I hope you make it to Australia.
Dec 24, 2022, 8:26 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,253
Last night our flight was cancelled from LAX-SYD with three confirmed first class seats. These were paid for 1 month ago before the flight.
The 8:00 flight was cancelled (after delays) and then all three of us were denied boarding on the later 10:35 PM flight.
We were then rebooked into coach for the subsequent day. Delta refuses to honor the first class tickets we have even though seats are shown online and is unwilling to
Is there anything that a Delta Diamond can do? The 800 diamond number is now just routing to call centers with inexperienced agents after an hour of holding.
This is terrible. A 15 hour flight in coach after paying for first, and we're sorta stuck because of how much we've already paid for the vacation.
Ugh, probably the worst airline experience I've ever had. And I've been downgraded for little two hour flights but not a 15 hour delta 1, after being denied boarding a second time.
Help! I've written customer care and Delta is now just a loop into call centers.
The 8:00 flight was cancelled (after delays) and then all three of us were denied boarding on the later 10:35 PM flight.
We were then rebooked into coach for the subsequent day. Delta refuses to honor the first class tickets we have even though seats are shown online and is unwilling to
Is there anything that a Delta Diamond can do? The 800 diamond number is now just routing to call centers with inexperienced agents after an hour of holding.
This is terrible. A 15 hour flight in coach after paying for first, and we're sorta stuck because of how much we've already paid for the vacation.
Ugh, probably the worst airline experience I've ever had. And I've been downgraded for little two hour flights but not a 15 hour delta 1, after being denied boarding a second time.
Help! I've written customer care and Delta is now just a loop into call centers.
DL41 22:35 08:35
Any idea why were you denied boarding? No business class D1 seats?
Seat maps/seat allocations are not the same as seat sales
https://www.sydney-airport.net/syd-a...elta-air-lines
so it was a combo of cash, flight credits and points. That shouldn’t matter. It wasn’t some complementary upgrade.
Im just going to go the airport. After trying for nearly 12 hours to get through to a helpful agent it’s so maddening.
lesson learned: delta is beyond shady
Im just going to go the airport. After trying for nearly 12 hours to get through to a helpful agent it’s so maddening.
lesson learned: delta is beyond shady
Originally purchased as D1?
Edit
3. On the new forcibly rebooked flight, since the upgrade was initially purchased with miles the "excuse: was "it's an upgrade" so therefore you cannot be in J since it's "complimentary" which it was NOT. So if you upgrade after the fact with miles/$ they've tried to create a loophole to deny said product if there are hiccups in the initial flight. In short, the only true J is if it is booked all together in cash or points, and that a later upgrade via cash, points or a certificate means nothing. This is what I was told.
Another airline (QF AA UA) will not fly you business class when
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Dec 24, 2022 at 8:42 pm Reason: ecoonon to premium economy
Dec 24, 2022, 8:30 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2022
Programs: Marriott
Posts: 51
No I don’t know why we didn’t make the second flight. Probably just someone with limited training.
I’m sure tons of ppl were denied on that flight with the earlier cancellation, but I’d guess there were not a lot of j customers with status denied.
I’m sure tons of ppl were denied on that flight with the earlier cancellation, but I’d guess there were not a lot of j customers with status denied.