kevinflyaway

So I booked BKK to HKG to experience Emirates first class. We then arranged a trip to get to BKK and back home from HKG.

weeks after booking I receive an email saying that we are downgraded from First to Business. Due to an aircraft change.

the only offered us money back or difference back between first/business. We made other bookings that have value and we planned this trip just for the fun of flying.

She couldnt offer any compensation. I have ro write an email. Any suggestions or previous experience?

For instance, in Europe you would receive back 75% if you accept the downgrade. I might cancel, but it costs €250 to cancel my connecting flights.

chris63

Is moving your trip an option, until the 3 Class A380 come back ?

It’s a very short flight but yes, nice to experience once in F, actually it is good in J if you get a seat near the Bar, excellent Wines & the EK lounge in BKK is excellent with top F&B for a lounge.

kevinflyaway

Seems to be for a long period after the summer. We did spice up to trip with Qatar QSuite and First towards BKK and new Finnair seats back from HKG. So I think we have to swallow this hick-up, but I’m going to try and see if any compensation is given. Paying back the difference is nothing more then the minimum.

also weird move don’t you think? HKG is finally open again and then they cut F?

chris63

It’s EK & they can get away with fare difference or refund, they use the 2 Class A380 for more seats into BKK where demand is very high, HKG also has direct flights to DXB

ft101

You might not even get the Qsuite you expect. Spend some time on the QR forum and you'll understand.

I've got a QR flight to Bangkok in about two months and they've taken the A380 with first class off that route for a couple of months so another one that's not guaranteed.

Finnair could be OK although I think it's a Marmite seat, but most reports are in favour so far.

subject2load

Ref the EK sector of your trip …….. it’s a tad frustrating sure, but I honestly don’t think you’re missing out much for such a very short sector (could very well end up as less than 3 hours actual flying time) and the J seat + facilities will be pretty good. I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy many excellent F trips on EK long-hauls, mainly UK to Australia but also short hops from Oz down to NZ and it’s only on the lengthy sectors where you get the full F class ‘experience’ (though perhaps other EK regulars take a different view)

As for compensation over & above the refund offered : I very much doubt you would have any success at all ….. really not worth devoting any time / effort on that score !

Bon voyage

kevinflyaway

Thanks everybody.
I'll just keep the booking as is for the moment. Maybe they change it back again and then can just ask to upgrade the booking again.

Still a very nice trip we've got planned so we'll stick it for sure. My friend has never been in the A380 EK Bar so that's the new thing for that flight then haha. I already spend hours in that bar and indeed...the wines!! and the Espresso Martini's are define

littlevoices

If so that is a shame, have you double checked that First isn't available on different days? I've got a trip on Friday in F and the return in March still had an F cabin (I thought). I had a similar downgrade on the BKK-DXB route and was able to move to a different time to still have First. Otherwise I think you are stuck with the refund for a lower class. Note the EU compensation was, I thought, only valid if it wasn't done more than 2 weeks in advance anyway, but certainly there aren't punitive damages in HK.

At least the route has the A380 back now rather than before when it was an old 777 for the "fun of flying" if you did take the trip anyway, it would still be different? I would note that with the Emirates lounge currently closed in HKG it will be a lot less fun on the ground as your first class experience will be spoiled with a fairly cheap lounge initially, and the same experience as business class.

And for those saying "Oh it's only 3 hours": It is better than Cathay/Thai on the route and in this era of high priced fares from HKG you could choose between EK F and CX J for about the same price, or the Emirates one may even be cheaper. I enjoyed it enough to book few times again after my first booking in the midst of COVID and really quite enjoyed the suite, service and food for the 2.5 hours you're in the air - and I didn't have a shower option at the time since we were on the 777.

chris63

With no F currently on this route, i was in J & it was superb, definitely the best carrier on this route, excellent service, F&B, was in 22A near the Bar

Dinner

Excellent Chardonnay

Because i complimented the Bar attendant on the Chardonnay, they came & gave me this for landing, amazing service 👍

eternaltransit

F still seems to be available on this route at the moment?

chris63

Yes, back now, not on 7th July

NYC1

Good seeing you in this forum chris63 . Big fan of EK too.

TTC900Rocket

Flying at the end of July BKK-HKG-BKK in F (first time flying with EK, so I'm very excited about that!).

I know J/F passengers can use the special lane at immigration upon arrival in BKK, as well as the EK lounge on the outbound; any other special services of note?

The HKG lounge, as far as I can tell, is still closed. EK will use the Plaza Premium Lounge, but I intend to stay at my Kowloon hotel as late as possible, so I'm not too worried about that.

Thanks for any other insight you can provide.

WLG Base

Enjoy the trip. The EK Lounge in BKK is good. I have done the same a number of times pre Covid (the last time was Jan 2020).

If you ask nicely you might be able to get an Amenity Kit if they are loaded.

eternaltransit

You can use the QF lounge at HKG if it’s open.