Award Ticket Drama: Downgraded from OZ F to UA J (and MUCH more)!
Mar 17, 2013, 2:37 pm
#61
Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Choice Gold, Hilton Diamond, US CP
Posts: 334
Ok. Something else to consider as well is close in to departure, there can also be a disconnect between the GDS systems and whatever the airline uses for handling of their flights at the airport. Also, another airline isnt obligated to accept premium class tickets from another airline. Its not as simple as one might think as to just rebook somebody to a premium cabin on another airline.
Mar 18, 2013, 10:15 am
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
Ok. Something else to consider as well is close in to departure, there can also be a disconnect between the GDS systems and whatever the airline uses for handling of their flights at the airport. Also, another airline isnt obligated to accept premium class tickets from another airline. Its not as simple as one might think as to just rebook somebody to a premium cabin on another airline.
Mar 18, 2013, 12:36 pm
#63
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Diamond, SPG Plat; no plans for chasing any more airline status.
Posts: 880
Mar 18, 2013, 12:54 pm
#64
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: US CP ; LH FTL ; *G
Posts: 1,630
. . . Not to mention, I wouldn't be at all surprised if at least one of two other factors came into play (to be clear, this is just speculation): (1) blissful ignorance--really, how many US agents do you think have flown OZ and can compare it firsthand to UA TPAC, or monitor this forum and have an idea of the generally accepted hierarchy of *A partners?--or (2) perhaps the negotiated rates US pays OZ for award seats are higher than the rates US pays UA, so reaccommodating pax on UA instead of OZ saves US money?
Mar 18, 2013, 7:55 pm
#65
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
If segments drop off the ticketing airline's PNR, you always need to get to an airport ticketing desk ASAP. Get a printout of the PNR in native form, so that you can actually have a prayer of understanding what the real issue with the ticket is.
The appropriate fix to this issue isn't to leave the PNR alone. A passive segment must be added.
The appropriate fix to this issue isn't to leave the PNR alone. A passive segment must be added.
Mar 18, 2013, 8:56 pm
#66
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
I was interlined to AA on a US F award ticket a few years ago, and despite talking to several airport agents and the CP desk, I could not get them to put me in F. I was told by every one of them that US policy was to interline in Y and refund the difference in award miles.
Mar 19, 2013, 1:36 am
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Diamond, SPG Plat; no plans for chasing any more airline status.
Posts: 880
On the bright side, I just noticed some PQMs post for the SFO-YVR flight 
Haha. I guess there is a (dim) light at the end of the tunnel!
Haha. I guess there is a (dim) light at the end of the tunnel!
Mar 19, 2013, 7:55 am
#68
Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Choice Gold, Hilton Diamond, US CP
Posts: 334
You are probably still waiting since your claim for initial compensation was excessive and like I predicted before its probably been ignored. Granted they should at least respond with something even if no compensation is offered.
Mar 19, 2013, 9:30 am
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
Mar 20, 2013, 5:03 pm
#70
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Diamond, SPG Plat; no plans for chasing any more airline status.
Posts: 880
Final Compensation Received
Okay, I have the final update (as far as compensation goes). As I mentioned, the original request was:
1) 30k miles (for the difference between F and J)
2) Either 110 additional miles (aka a full refund) or $500 e-voucher
In the end, we did receive the 30,000 miles, but number two was scoffed at. Instead, we each earned an additional 17,000 miles.
All in all, total compensation was 47,000 miles per person, which I think is fair (though of course I would have liked a bit more). Let the discussion continue, but I still stand by my opinion, which is that this was all a domino effect starting with a US problem. As such, I held them responsible and they clearly felt some sense of responsibility based on their offering.
1) 30k miles (for the difference between F and J)
2) Either 110 additional miles (aka a full refund) or $500 e-voucher
In the end, we did receive the 30,000 miles, but number two was scoffed at. Instead, we each earned an additional 17,000 miles.
All in all, total compensation was 47,000 miles per person, which I think is fair (though of course I would have liked a bit more). Let the discussion continue, but I still stand by my opinion, which is that this was all a domino effect starting with a US problem. As such, I held them responsible and they clearly felt some sense of responsibility based on their offering.
Mar 20, 2013, 9:25 pm
#71
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
The Prognosticator Recap...
OK, I'm gloating a bit here.
But the main point is that there certainly are times when an airline will indeed compensate a customer (in this case, twice!) -- even if the airline is under no obligation to do so. ^
1. Compensation for downgrade.
If you have already flown (accepted the changes), and at least one segment was in int'l F, you are not owed compensation.
2. Compensation for lost baggage.
You may get compensation under Montreal Conventionor under DoT rules, depending on the circumstances...
If you have already flown (accepted the changes), and at least one segment was in int'l F, you are not owed compensation.
2. Compensation for lost baggage.
You may get compensation under Montreal Conventionor under DoT rules, depending on the circumstances...
You should ask US for half of your miles back... US will likely counter-offer your request for 70K miles returned for each passenger. But if you were ask for only, say, 40K miles back, do you think your counter-offer would be the same as if you were to request 70K back?
As I mentioned, the original request was:
1) 30k miles (for the difference between F and J)
2) Either 110 additional miles (aka a full refund) or $500 e-voucher
In the end, we did receive the 30,000 miles, but number two was scoffed at. Instead, we each earned an additional 17,000 miles.
All in all, total compensation was 47,000 miles per person.
1) 30k miles (for the difference between F and J)
2) Either 110 additional miles (aka a full refund) or $500 e-voucher
In the end, we did receive the 30,000 miles, but number two was scoffed at. Instead, we each earned an additional 17,000 miles.
All in all, total compensation was 47,000 miles per person.
OK, I'm gloating a bit here.
But the main point is that there certainly are times when an airline will indeed compensate a customer (in this case, twice!) -- even if the airline is under no obligation to do so. ^
Mar 21, 2013, 9:18 am
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
Okay, I have the final update (as far as compensation goes). As I mentioned, the original request was:
1) 30k miles (for the difference between F and J)
2) Either 110 additional miles (aka a full refund) or $500 e-voucher
In the end, we did receive the 30,000 miles, but number two was scoffed at. Instead, we each earned an additional 17,000 miles.
All in all, total compensation was 47,000 miles per person, which I think is fair (though of course I would have liked a bit more). Let the discussion continue, but I still stand by my opinion, which is that this was all a domino effect starting with a US problem. As such, I held them responsible and they clearly felt some sense of responsibility based on their offering.
1) 30k miles (for the difference between F and J)
2) Either 110 additional miles (aka a full refund) or $500 e-voucher
In the end, we did receive the 30,000 miles, but number two was scoffed at. Instead, we each earned an additional 17,000 miles.
All in all, total compensation was 47,000 miles per person, which I think is fair (though of course I would have liked a bit more). Let the discussion continue, but I still stand by my opinion, which is that this was all a domino effect starting with a US problem. As such, I held them responsible and they clearly felt some sense of responsibility based on their offering.
I'm not sure if I read number 2 right ... that was 110 miles and not 110K miles, right? 110 would be an insult. I'd think a $500 e-voucher wouldn't make up for the difference between OZ F and UA C, and US F to AC Y. So I think the 47k miles seems to be the best outcome for you given the choices.
Still a shame you had to miss out on OZ F.
Mar 21, 2013, 12:13 pm
#73
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Diamond, SPG Plat; no plans for chasing any more airline status.
Posts: 880
I'm glad it worked out well for you and US did the right thing. ^
I'm not sure if I read number 2 right ... that was 110 miles and not 110K miles, right? 110 would be an insult. I'd think a $500 e-voucher wouldn't make up for the difference between OZ F and UA C, and US F to AC Y. So I think the 47k miles seems to be the best outcome for you given the choices.
Still a shame you had to miss out on OZ F.
I'm not sure if I read number 2 right ... that was 110 miles and not 110K miles, right? 110 would be an insult. I'd think a $500 e-voucher wouldn't make up for the difference between OZ F and UA C, and US F to AC Y. So I think the 47k miles seems to be the best outcome for you given the choices.
Still a shame you had to miss out on OZ F.
I'm still bummed about OZ F, but I'm eyeing a JFK-ICN trip (one-way OZ 77W, one way KE 380). Thankfully, in May I'll be enjoying NH F, which will basically complete my *A F products - at least those I want to fly! All in all, I'm a happy camper
Mar 21, 2013, 1:06 pm
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
The number two I was "hoping" for was EITHER 110k additional miles or $500 e-voucher. In any case, yes, the 47k seemed fair.
I'm still bummed about OZ F, but I'm eyeing a JFK-ICN trip (one-way OZ 77W, one way KE 380). Thankfully, in May I'll be enjoying NH F, which will basically complete my *A F products - at least those I want to fly! All in all, I'm a happy camper
I'm still bummed about OZ F, but I'm eyeing a JFK-ICN trip (one-way OZ 77W, one way KE 380). Thankfully, in May I'll be enjoying NH F, which will basically complete my *A F products - at least those I want to fly! All in all, I'm a happy camper
Where did the other 17k miles come from?
Mar 21, 2013, 2:31 pm
#75
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Diamond, SPG Plat; no plans for chasing any more airline status.
Posts: 880