compensation for downgrade?

[wrldtrvllr]

Recently travelled to US with VA in Business class and involuntarily downgraded (to coach) on connecting DL flight LAX-SFO.
What compensation is the norm?
DL has put it to VA who have offered 6000 Velocity points. Isn't the fault with DL?

TIA

 

[Blackswan]

I'd be asking for 7,700 - the difference between a Y and J redemption between the two cities.

Yes, it's only a short flight - and a small difference from what they've offered, but I'm of the opinion they shouldn't get away with shortchanging no matter how small.

 

[wrldtrvllr]

I'd be asking for 7,700 - the difference between a Y and J redemption between the two cities.

Yes, it's only a short flight - and a small difference from what they've offered, but I'm of the opinion they shouldn't get away with shortchanging no matter how small.

Valid point on the points difference on reward seat redemption.
Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[NM]

If it was a VA issued ticket then you probably do need to deal with VA. I expect that DL will be providing some sort of compensation to VA for the change in cabin, and I think its pretty fair to assume that the compensation DL will be providing to VA will not be in the form of Velocity points.

I would only consider accepting points as compensation if the original fare was an award redemption, in which case the difference between business class and economy class redemption on that sector is probably fair. But if this was a fare purchased any other way, I would expecting the compensation should be provided in the same form as the ticket was purchased. If purchased using a credit card then there should partial refund returned to the credit card.

 

[wrldtrvllr]

If it was a VA issued ticket then you probably do need to deal with VA. I expect that DL will be providing some sort of compensation to VA for the change in cabin, and I think its pretty fair to assume that the compensation DL will be providing to VA will not be in the form of Velocity points.

I would only consider accepting points as compensation if the original fare was an award redemption, in which case the difference between business class and economy class redemption on that sector is probably fair. But if this was a fare purchased any other way, I would expecting the compensation should be provided in the same form as the ticket was purchased. If purchased using a credit card then there should partial refund returned to the credit card.

It was a paid ticket, issued by VA. I put the "complaint" into DL as they were the operating airline for the connecting flight and their response indicated they had been in touch with VA on my behalf and the points offer was from VA itself

The question is how one comes up with a fair $ value compensation?
a) Miles travelled on downgraded segment as a proportion of entire ticketed itinerary? Which considering it was domestic connection as part of an international trip, would not amount to much; or
b) $ value to "upgrade" from DL coach to first which I was entitled to travel in?
c) any other reasonable basis?

Perhaps I could ask for fare difference from coach to first as seen below?! :shock:

 

[NM]

The question is how one comes up with a fair $ value compensation?

I believe you should be entitled to the difference in fare price between purchased cabin and traveled cabin.

But the problem is the way they calculate the difference is price. Airline will want to use the difference between full-fare economy and actual fare paid, and may do that over the entire trip and not just the one segment downgraded. But they really shouldbe considering the cheapest available economy fare at the time of purchase, which is very difficult to determine after the actual booking date.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I believe you should be entitled to the difference in fare price between purchased cabin and traveled cabin.

But the problem is the way they calculate the difference is price. Airline will want to use the difference between full-fare economy and actual fare paid, and may do that over the entire trip and not just the one segment downgraded. But they really shouldbe considering the cheapest available economy fare at the time of purchase, which is very difficult to determine after the actual booking date.

Do you know what fare class the new coach ticket booked into? This could be a good starting point to calculate the price differential.

IMO fair and reasonable compensation should include a few components.
- Difference in fare classes refunded as cash (if you ask for points, the cash VA received as refund may be calculated into points at their high exchange rate)
- Consideration for not receiving what you paid for. You may otherwise never fly if not in first class. Therefore you are doing the airline a favour by taking the economy seat. You deserve consideration for this.
- Compensation in the form of a voucher/points equal to the % of the trip which was disrupted. LAX-SFO is probably 2% of the total flight miles you paid for so 2% of total ticket price converted is fair.

Anything less than this and you're essentially giving free money to the airline.