Bumped FROM business class!
 

Hi all,

I was recently uncermoniously bumped from business-class on transatlantic flight. I was given a voucher for a free business ticket, but am still furious as I had to suffer a sleepless night in economy. I've got a very bad back, so this was no laughing matter. I thought it you paid for premium tickets overbooking was off limits!!!

Does anyone know widely spread this practice is? What kind of compensation can I demand if this sort of thing happens again?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Airline ? Paid/Award/NonRev/Upgrade ? Destination ?

Wow....that is jacked up! What airline? I guess if it were me, I would figure what would make me happy and ask for it. Maybe a second C class freebie??

Premium class passengers are just as likely (possibly even more likely) not to show up for a given flight as Economy passengers. The airlines overbook in all classes, from the very front to the very back.

It is unfortunate when the math doesn't add up, but it is not unusual. A voucher for a free Business Class flight seems like reasonable compensation to me (I am assuming that you were affected on only one flight and that you're getting a return Business Class ticket - so two flights - as compensation).

I agree entirely. Whereas this is an unfortunate (and rather uncommon) occurrence, occasionally it does happen. Although my sympathies go out to the OP, it could, of course, be much worse.

did you pay for the ticket with cash money, miles, or use a UG? they are treated very differently.

Was the flight from Europe or was the travel on a European carrier?

What other options were offered? Sometimes the airlines will compensate you and put you on the next available flight in the class of service you reserved.

Welcome to Flyertalk :)

Sorry that happened to you- I've spent many sleepless nights in TATL Coach so I know how bad that is. The only time I got bumped from Business Class was on an ORD-LHR flight where I got bumped up to First because they oversold Business! Very easy to take.

Like the others, I'm curious about the circumstances- what airline? Reward travel? How early did you check in? It's a good way for the airline to anger a customer no matter how it happened.

I was once bumped from business a long long ago

fortunately I was bumped to first. the only time I rode first transpac

Happened to me on CX once and my wife on CX twice. It was a good bump. :D

Mike

Check the BA forum for involuntary downgrade - there's a case there from someone downgraded from F to C who took it to court and won.

If you already accepted the compensation you may be out of luck - though it depends what the restrictions on the voucher are - if they are few I think it's a pretty good deal. If the voucher requires availability of award booking class I'd fight for much more.

It happened to me once when flying from Seoul to Hong Kong. What irked me more, almost, than the downgrade was the fact that the check-in staff wouldn't let me use the business-class lounge.

I did go to the business-class lounge, and the woman at the desk there took pity on me and let me in.

I made sure that I had several expensive drinks and lots to eat... :p

I was still furious though...

Happened to me once, too, flying on BA from LHR-LAX - I bought a WT+ ticket, was bumped to CW at the gate and bumped to F right before the doors closed. Let me tell you, that was a flight to remember! ^

That is really rude of them.