Problems For An UC Pax at LHR

That is not to say that an airline won't offer compensation to a downgraded pax just that they are not required to under the regulations.

Hi tonty, I'm not sure I understand you? Article 10 stipulates that 75% of the ticket cost shall be reimbursed to the passenger on a flight >3,500 km. That's what I meant when I said I think the EU compensation is generous.

Yes but reimbursement of the fare is not the same as compensation. If I was downgraded I jolly well would expect to get the difference in back. I would also expect compensation over and above this but that is not a legal requirement like with a canx / delay.

You do not get the reimbursement plus compensation.

That is not to say that an airline won't offer compensation to a downgraded pax just that they are not required to under the regulations.

Hi tonty, I'm not sure I understand you? Article 10 stipulates that 75% of the ticket cost shall be reimbursed to the passenger on a flight >3,500 km. That's what I meant when I said I think the EU compensation is generous.

Yes but reimbursement of the fare is not the same as compensation. If I was downgraded I jolly well would expect to get the difference in back. I would also expect compensation over and above this but that is not a legal requirement like with a canx / delay.

You do not get the reimbursement plus compensation.

Exactly, and 75% reimbursement of the sector fare seems miserly when this might only just cover the difference between PE and UC fare anyway!

I'd rather be completely denied boarding and be compensated for that.

Always seems bit rough that airlines do this as a matter of course - if they have taken money for a seat, generally you don't get a refund unless there are exceptional circumstances (or have I got that wrong) - so to take money and then essentially say 'no, sorry, we now have someone who's paying more than you' is rough, A bit like gazumping. It just feels so wrong.

Anyone know if hotels do this???

Thanks everyone for a very interesting read. Thanks also to Penny for providing the link.
I guess we shall have to keep our fingers crossed that all goes well for us on the VS 19 next month!

If you buy a package holiday and there is a significant change to the booking, be it the accomodation or flight times, I thought it was a legal requirement that you have the option of not accepting the change and receiving a full refund or being refunded the published difference in price arising from the downgrad . If I am correct it would be interesting to know how they choose the pax to be forcibly downgraded if volunteers are not forthcoming and if they differentiate between VS and VH bookings?

Always seems bit rough that airlines do this as a matter of course - if they have taken money for a seat, generally you don't get a refund unless there are exceptional circumstances (or have I got that wrong) - so to take money and then essentially say 'no, sorry, we now have someone who's paying more than you' is rough, A bit like gazumping. It just feels so wrong.

Anyone know if hotels do this???

If you are downgraded then you get 75% of your sector fare back (on 3,500+k flight) - as per EU rules but NO additioanl compensation is legally required though most airlines will offer something as a goodwill jesture.

All airlines over book and in the vast majority of cases they get it right and don't have to downgrade/deny boarding. Some airlines also don't overbook the last flight of the day so they have some flexibility to catch-up on early over bookings - though that does depend on the route.

And yes hotels do this too.

They all rely on people not turning up to help manage their inventory.