V-Flyer

Well guys this was not our lucky day. Did not do olci from JFK to lhr and three out of four of us were downgraded from pe. Well annoyed as it's been booked for months, 2 on miles and two paid tickets. I got to stay in pe on my own but not much fun at the bulkhead when I had wanted a row further back. Anyway the check in supervisor said due to aircraft configurations they had to do that on all flights yesterday and were looking for individuals to take voluntary downgrades. No volunteers - surprise, surprise. I argued mine was involuntary so they had to rewrite the forms. They were also
Pushing miles not the refunds. Whilst they waited for volunteers we had to stand next to check in for a while and were then rushed through security with an agent 45 mins later - no time for shopping.

to be honest it was a bit of a nightmare weekend. Our cab driver fell asleep (yes really) 3 times on the way to the airport - took his feet off the gas and stopped completely once then ran into the other lanes twice.

The BA connecting flight thereafter was not great. Huge bang 10 mins in (a noise I was not familiar with) and apparently it was the engine. Quick return, dumped some fuel and met by fire trucks.

When we finally got home several
Hours later the car battery had packed in. Think this should have been a duvet day.....

OMG - what a nightmare, can't imagine much else could have gone wrong? Glad you got home eventually and in one piece!

yfinlayson wrote:Well guys this was not our lucky day.

It most certainly wasn't. In the grand scheme of things the taxi drive and exploding engine sound more significant that the downgrade (though I would be extremely vexed by that too)

The (apparent) lesson about OLCI is well worth noting.

Paul

OMG what a nightmare n( Hearing more and more of these horrible situations where they force people into downgrades v( I know there are operational reasons but when you are looking forward to a certain kind of travel and then get something worse....I would be very annoyed ! ! ! !

On a positive note, glad you are home ok! y)

In your situation I think I would have been a little less calm! !

Downgrade reports seem worryingly more common of late, would be interested to see any stats?

I've had a number of problems with seat allocation of late and after 3 VS flights in the last year where my family were moved and separated I wrote and complained. After 4 weeks had email reply only to my letter, apologising for late reply but nil else.

Surprised reward flights downgraded, after all these show loyalty to brand etc. so dangerous move on VS part. I hope you were compenstaed and had miles refunded?

What are the options offered with voluntary and involuntary downgrades? I want to be prepared in case it happens to me. Both knowing my rights and working out which option would suit me best.

I should add that my main route is JFK-LHR.

Thanks!

pjh wrote:

yfinlayson wrote:Well guys this was not our lucky day.

It most certainly wasn't. In the grand scheme of things the taxi drive and exploding engine sound more significant that the downgrade (though I would be extremely vexed by that too)

The (apparent) lesson about OLCI is well worth noting.

Paul

Seem to have had more manic NY taxi drivers than not - most of them seem to morph from into something alien on the ride to the airport - have often been scared witless by them. Do they take a special course to drive so wildly - apart from just driving in NYC?????

catsilversword wrote:Seem to have had more manic NY taxi drivers than not - most of them seem to morph from into something alien on the ride to the airport

Perhaps "Men In Black" was more of a documentary than first thought.

Why do they call you "Lucky" ?

What a bummer OP... sounds like a perfect storm of nastiness.

So, to the group - is it generally considered that early OLCI is a good way to reduce the chances of an invol downgrade happening?

ISTBC, but doing OLCI does not affect your chances of being downgraded. There are a whole lot of other factors in play. Things like fare code, FC status etc.

Darren Wheeler wrote:ISTBC, but doing OLCI does not affect your chances of being downgraded. There are a whole lot of other factors in play. Things like fare code, FC status etc.

I was told by an agent at the UC check in desk that OLCI did play a part, but it was part of a complex mix...

And, for complex mix, read no two staff apply the rules the same way...

complex indeed, but yes - I was under no illusion that OLCI would elimate the chance of this happening. But was interested if it was a possible factor in reducing the chances.

Sounds like it possibly is but noone knows for sure whether its a factor that is considered every time.

Still, I like to improve my odds, I guess - no matter how small the effect on the outcome may be!