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#853606 by 747Rich
05 Aug 2013, 11:21
Hi guys - just wanted a bit of advice on the following please:

Due to the high cost of flights and hardly any reward availability, we chose to give Aer Lingus a try. Flying from BHX to MCO, Via DUB, decent price (we are only in economy though :( )and the fact you clear immigration in Dublin and travelling from our local airport - we decided to take the plunge and book for October.

Last week, I had an email from Aer Lingus advising us of a schedule change on our return flight. The flight from MCO is at 7pm, getting into DUB at 8.15am, no change there. Now, our original flight to BHX was at 1.15pm, bit of a wait I know, but we were going to pay for the Exec lounge and pass the time this way. The change took our flight to BHX to 6.15pm, another 5 hours, which we thought was too much.

So, I rang Aer Lingus and a rather unhelpful agent advised our flight was not 6.15pm, but 4.30pm, so after putting me on hold, said I was get an email shortly advising me of the new flight time. But, this is still a wait of 8 hours 15 minutes, bit too long I feel, so I asked if they were prepared to do anything for us, maybe book us into a hotel for the day? I was advised no, the only option is to cancel and get a full refund or basically put up with it.

So, my question is..How much should I push this? I am thinking of phoning back and trying to speak to someone different, if that doesn't do it, then maybe contact Customer Relations. I don't particularly want to cancel, but I feel they should be doing something to help with our rather long stopover. The change to the original schedule is more than 2 hours, so they have to do something, as per their terms and conditions, but I fear this is only a full refund and nothing else.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
#853609 by Neil
05 Aug 2013, 11:47
It's a tricky one and ultimately the flight time isn't going to change so it is what it is. What are you wanting them to do for you? As you stated, the option would be to cancel and get a refund but that doesn't really achieve anything so your options really are limited.
#853612 by 747Rich
05 Aug 2013, 12:12
Hi guys - thanks for the replies. I just thought if I pushed it, I may get a hotel for the day, so at least we can get some sleep, or even book us on to another carrier (Ryanair fly at 1pm, so that would be ideal)

No other options, continental to New York and down to Orlando is coming out very expensive. We usually travel to Gatwick and fly direct, but the prices are too high.

Also, on the Virgin website, the upgrade table, is the amounts for each sector, i.e economy to premium is 12,500 miles, is that round trip, or is it 25,000 round trip?
#853613 by Neil
05 Aug 2013, 12:17
747Rich wrote:Hi guys - thanks for the replies. I just thought if I pushed it, I may get a hotel for the day, so at least we can get some sleep, or even book us on to another carrier (Ryanair fly at 1pm, so that would be ideal)

No other options, continental to New York and down to Orlando is coming out very expensive. We usually travel to Gatwick and fly direct, but the prices are too high.

Also, on the Virgin website, the upgrade table, is the amounts for each sector, i.e economy to premium is 12,500 miles, is that round trip, or is it 25,000 round trip?


It's one way.

You can write a letter asking for some help and kindness on their part, but I honestly think you are pretty much likely to get back that you can cancel if you wish otherwise lump it. I know it's not ideal but at worst booking yourself a hotel won't cost the earth and will at least make your day more bearable and in the grand cost of things won't be that much.
#853618 by honey lamb
05 Aug 2013, 13:10
The Crowne Plaza, Hilton and Radisson Blu at Dublin Airport all have day rooms to let.

The Radisson Blu is on site at the airport and the other two are off-site but have a good shuttle service. Alternatively you could go into Dublin for the day.
#853640 by 747Rich
05 Aug 2013, 14:21
Thanks people, think a few hours sleep in a Hotel is the way forward and as you say Neil, won't be that much I am sure and worth it, as I can never sleep in economy!

HoneyLamb - thank you for the list of Hotels.
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