I am trying to fly from ATL to VCE (Venice) and back to ATL through FCO on an award ticket for my honeymoon in business class. I was ticketed with an e-ticket, but DL has me going through JFK rather than direct. Stopping in JFK is not a big deal on the outbound leg but the return leg adds about 8 hours to the flight with the layover.

The latest is that DL has reduced service from JFK to VCE, and no longer flies the day that I am ticketed for. DL has offered to put me on a flight through CDG. I guess that's OK, but I have to change planes at 630AM at CDG so DL's cancellation results in 3 fewer hours of sleep for me. Is there anything else I should be worried about at CDG? I have to switch from DL metal to AF.

I am really dissatisfied that I could not fly on my return direct from FCO to ATL, but wonder whether DL's accomodation on my outbound flight is all they are requried to do. I would prefer to fly direct from ATL to VCE without any stops, but I'm not sure any airline flies that route. Do the FAA regs require DL to put me on such a flight business class even if its on another airline, since it was DL that cancelled the flight?

What do you mean "3 fewer hours sleep" ... I thought you said this was your honeymoon ?

Sorry, can't answer your specific question, but do wish you all the very best for the big day ... and most of all, make sure you enjoy youself and not focus on the negative feelings that may come about from such undesirable changes.

Generally speaking, when flying on award tickets, the issuing airline makes the rules. With the change of service, DL rerouted you. No big deal. As for compensation because your "preferred route" was changed or is no longer available, I doubt it.

Regardless, enjoy your trip!!!

thanks.

Three hours less sleep: My originally scheduled flight departed in the evening from JFK and landed in Venice at 930AM. The revised itinerary has me landing in Paris at 630 AM. Therefore, 3 hours less sleep.

It looks to me as if DL has tried to reaccommodate you and has re-routed you onto AF when their own DL flights couldn't get you there when you wanted to go. I know you are disappointed in the schedule, but DL's response seems reasonable to me. Airlines change their route structure from time to time, and the good airlines will try to work with you to minimize the impact.

I am not a DL flyer so I don't know if there is another logical routing from ATL to VCE. If there is, keep calling DL to inquire about award seat availability. The seat inventory changes. Sometimes award seats open up very close to your departure date, when the airline realizes they will not be able to sell them.

Geez... your honeymoon sounds dull. You sure your newly wed better half wants you to sleep that much those nights? Maybe try to talk to her, you know, most other couples do things other than sleep during those precious nights.

There is always that club you can join while flying

[This message has been edited by MoreMiles (edited 02-05-2002).]

The alternative is to cancel the flight all together and give you your miles back. They are within their rights to do that. That of course would not be what you want either.

Then again, based on what many have said, getting a Business or First ticket to Europe is pretty hard to do in the first place.

Thanks for the responses. What I wanted to know is whether they are within their rights to change the routing to one on their metal that is less convenient for me if there is a more convenient one available on someone else's metal. DL has been very difficult to deal with IMHO regarding redeeming these points in the first place so I want to make sure I am not leaving anything on the table.

As far as sleep, I hope to sleep on the plane so I am refreshed for the hotel room. Of course, I have never flown FC international and did not know what went on behind the curtain. Based on some of your suggestions, I think I now know what goes on behind the curtain!

Not to be picky (okay, it is a little picky ), but are VCE and CDG in the same timezone? I don't think you're losing 3 hours of sleep, maybe 2 hours ... I just wouldn't think VCE and CDG would have a 3 hour difference in flight times.

Yes. Without a doubt they can. This is not unique to DL but fairly standard to most US carriers.

BTW, even on a paid ticket, the most you are entitled to under the rules is a full refund (not to say you can't possibly get more, but that's what you are entitled to under the rules).

Beckles, the 3 hour difference is because the original flight departed later and got in later. It was better because one it left NYC, I would not have to wake up until morning--930 AM. The substitute flight arrives CDG earlier but then I have 3 more hours before I get to VCE.

Also, I had heard of some rule where if the airline cancels the flight they have to get you on the next flight regardless of whose metal, class of service, and cost. It sounds like that rule doesn't apply here, but that was the rule I was thinking of. I don't see why it should matter if I paid with points or cash--I was already ticketed.

Thanks for the definitive answers--I at least feel satisfied that there isn't anything more that I should ask for.

IIRC, you wanted the non-stop out of ATL. You can specifically demand that flight as long as it's a DL ticket.
If you already agreed on being reaccomodated on AF, you're out of luck.

What does IIRC mean?

IIRC = if I recall correctly