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Degraded seats: this is what you should do if you move on a flight

Degraded seats: this is what you should do if you move on a flight

Sakege013 mins



CNN
–

You arrive at the airport and tell you that you will not get the seat of the plane you pay.

Unfortunately, you have been degraded.

While it is rare, it happens more frequently than you think. You reserve a premium economy, business or first class, but when it is time to fly, it takes you a low class.

It can be especially frustrating when you have reserved a lie seat on a transatlantic flight and expected high dining options and a night sleep night.

Anton Radchenko was involuntarily degraded twice in 2023, once when Delta’s airlines flew from New York to Frankfurt and most of them on a British Airway flight from London to Los Angeles. But as the founder and CEO in AIRADVISORRadchenko knew how to address problems.

“I have seen firsthand how most passengers do not know their rights, which invites many problems,” says Radchenko. “Remember that it is quite common for airlines to go back compensation, and tend to exploit the lack of awareness of passengers.”

Here is why involuntary sales and some Radchenko tips on how to navigate them and get what is owed.

It can be beaten from your seat for several reasons, ranging from a broken seat or a pilot that needs to rest to the supply or a plane change.

The most common reason for an involuntary reduction is excessive load, according to Radchenko. Airlines are in the business of earning money, so they often sell more tickets than seats on a plane. In this way, if a passenger loses his flight or cancels at the last minute, the flight remains full.

However, if each passenger appears on time, it could be involuntarily degraded.

Radchenko said the overload was the cause of the sales in their two experiences.

If a reduction is notified several days (or more) in advance, it could be due to a change of equipment. As a result of the use of a different aircraft, there may be fewer class seats on the plane. When you have a previous notice, you can communicate with the airline to see if you can change to a different flight to the same service level.

Sometimes, crew needs are a factor. Ensure that crew members have access to rest during long flights keep everyone on board. If designated crew points cannot be used for any reason, a crew member may need your first or commercial class seat to rest during your break.

Document your reduction and request a reimbursement

Whatever the reason, the sales are frustrating at best. Most of the time, you will discover that it has been degraded at the airport, either at the check-in counter or by boarding.

Be sure to know your rights.

If they degrade, Radchenko recommends being proactive: obtain a written reason for the reduction and documently, including a photo of your new seat, shipping pass and any communication of the airline. Then, you can use this documentation when making a compensation claim.

Radchenko received money for the sales on both flights.

On Delta’s flight from New York to Frankfurt, he was degraded from the premium economy to the main cabin and received a $ 1,000 refund.

“Delta will provide compensation for customers who were involuntarily degraded based on the cabin with original ticket and the cabin to which the client was degraded,” the airline told CNN Travel. “The reimbursements of rates are given based on what the customer paid for the cabin at the time of purchase.”

The airline said the compensation could be in the form of Skymiles, rows or a reimbursement of rates difference.

Radchenko said he fought a bit to obtain reimbursement.

Radchenko is an aviation expert and a consumer rights lawyer, so he quietly reminded the airline that the rules of the transport department (DOT) say that passengers are entitled to a reimbursement of the price difference for the prices for the sales for the sales involuntary.

He said that Delta preferred to give flight coupons as compensation, but Radchenko continued to press until he received a cash refund, to which he was entitled according to the DOT rules.

Unfortunately, refunds for involuntary sales can be complicated because the price of the airline is dynamic.

Passengers should ensure that the rate difference is calculated according to prices at the time of the reserve. He said airlines can use the most recent price as a way of spending less on compensation.

For example, if you get a fantastic agreement on a first -class domestic flight that is only marginally more than a last -minute economic seat, you may not receive much refund.

“You need to be proactive and stay firm. Keep educated but firm in your demands, ”says Radchenko.

CNN contacted two other important inherited operators to obtain details on reimbursement calculations, but did not receive an immediate response.

Delta has a Online form where involuntarily degraded Passengers can send reimbursement requests.

Radchenko recommends completing this form immediately.

“The 72 -hour window before or after a scheduled flight is crucial because it is when airlines make key operational decisions, including cancellations, reimbursements, programming changes and reserves when evaluating the weather, the availability of the crew, Technical problems and other possible factors, “he says. “Passengers who understand this system can maximize compensation, ensure better alternatives, obtain timely refunds and avoid being stranded.”

It is also worth asking for compensation or additional advantages. Sometimes airlines will add miles or loyalty coupons when applications are convincing.

“For example, if he reserved a premium class because his arthritis requires sitting in an extended and relaxed position, degrading to the economy would affect his physical health. Therefore, he has a very valid reason to question this inconvenience and be compensated for it, ”he said.

No matter what your situation, a detailed explanation of exactly how the reduction has affected it negatively it is more likely to write down and prioritize your claim.

When flying to Europe on an airline of the European Union, traveling inside the EU or leaving the EU in any airline, You are more protected. That is thanks to EU regulation (CE) No. 261/2004A regulation that protects passengers against cancellations, delays and excess reserves.

The United Kingdom wrote this regulation as UK261 during the end of the Brexit transition period, so it also applies to the United Kingdom flights. This regulation caused the reimbursement for Radchenko to be much more aerodynamic when it was degraded in its British Airways flight from London to Los Angeles.

According to this regulation, compensation for involuntary sales is 30% to 75% of the price of its ticket, according to the duration of its flight.

London’s Radchenko flight to Los Angeles was more than 3,500 kilometers, so he received a 75% reimbursement of the price of his ticket, approximately 7,500 of his £ 10,000 ticket. To obtain the refund, he simply contacted the customer service of British Airways and provided the details of his flight.

This regulation was not applied to its Delta flight from New York to Frankfurt, since it only covers flights that leave an EU airport or an EU airline.

While there is not much that can be done to avoid a reduction, it is useful to be prepared.

Radchenko recommends trying to reserve your early flight and register as soon as possible. In this way, more priority will be given if there is an excess of reserve.

In addition, try to be loyal to an airline. If the executive class cabin is too reserved, it is much less likely that someone with elite status will be degraded than someone who rarely flies with the airline.

The DOT continually updates the rules and regulations related to the rights of air passengers.

It is important to read these rules to understand what it qualifies in the case of unexpected interruption, either a rare reduction or a much more common extended delay or flight cancellation.

Being prepared, knowing your rights and having concrete steps to follow can make a bad situation much more manageable.

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