Flight change and prepaid hotels

masaccio

I've just had an airline change a flight to a time that I can't make (9pm on a work night to 9am the same day). Unfortunately, there's no alternative flights I can find even casting the net wide on airports.

The gotcha is that I prepaid the hotel and parking and they're non-refundable.

I can't get my head around whether I have a legitimate reason to claim compensation. At the very least I'm hoping I could travel a day later and get compensation for a night's stay.

Am I stuffed?

Doshwaster

You could try to get compensation but it's unlikely as the airline is sure to find a get-out in their small print which, of course, you agreed too. You could try your travel insurance also but it's equally unlikely for the same reasons.

Unfortunately, this is one of the risks of pre-paid hotels. You get a cheaper rate but take the gamble on not being able to make it.

masaccio

Doshwaster wrote: »

You could try to get compensation but it's unlikely as the airline is sure to find a get-out in their small print which, of course, you agreed too. You could try your travel insurance also but it's equally unlikely for the same reasons.

No dice on the insurance unfortunately. Airlines changing flights like this isn't covered.

I called the airline about the change and asked if I could fly a day later and they said I could if I paid a fee! If a day later happens, I'll be taking my free cancellation and my business will go elsewhere. :mad:

masaccio

Centipede100 wrote: »

masaccio
The airline is obliged to offer either a refund or to re-route you at your option.

The pre-paid hotel and parking is no concern of the airline.

How much notice of this change did you receive? If less than 14 days then you are also entitled to compensation from the airline.

Let us have the dates and flight numbers and we can advise further.

It's longer than 14 days (a little over 3 weeks), so just a right to cancellation from what you're saying. That at least is actually more than BravoFly are telling me ("you might get refunded"). A refund or the flights, rebooking with another airline and the loss of a night's stay in the hotel would be an OK outcome I guess.

Obviously I'd prefer no loss at all, but my googling hasn't found anything helpful

robins66

You could try ringing Air Transport User's Council, explain clearly your situation and invite their "advice" in respect of your position generally. ie. Do you have to accept the change offered or can you ask for alternatives at no cost to yourself.
I had a problem a couple of years back when BMI baby cancelled my flights and refused to offer ANY alternatives. I spoke to the AUCthey were really helpful. See below for further details:
http://www.flightmole.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1027

robins66

Ryanair changed our flights at Easter from early morning to late at night, didn't suit us, so we went back to them and said we weren't happy with the flight they'd offered and asked for an alternative flight the day before. They agreed without any hassle and at no extra cost to us as it was their fault not ours.

jpsartre

masaccio wrote: »

I called the airline about the change and asked if I could fly a day later and they said I could if I paid a fee!

Which airline is this? That's certainly not what I'd consider normal practice.

Sounds like you booked through a 3rd party which isn't going to make things easier.

masaccio

jpsartre wrote: »

Which airline is this? That's certainly not what I'd consider normal practice.

Sounds like you booked through a 3rd party which isn't going to make things easier.

Meridiana via BravoFly. I definitely won't use BravoFly again as they're infuriating. The people at the call centre are quite hard to understand and all they appear able to do is send the airline an email and call you back.

jpsartre

Centipede100 wrote: »

masaccio

The airline is obliged to offer either a refund or to re-route you at your option.

The pre-paid hotel and parking is no concern of the airline.

How much notice of this change did you receive? If less than 14 days then you are also entitled to compensation from the airline.

Let us have the dates and flight numbers and we can advise further.

That's only of the original flight has been cancelled though. If it's a schedule change I find it entirely unclear to what extent the EU regulations apply.

robins66

It's now the CAA that deals with this issue, I'm attaching a link to their site giving you full details of YOUR RIGHTS.

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?pageid=12765

jpsartre

masaccio wrote: »

I definitely won't use BravoFly again as they're infuriating. The people at the call centre are quite hard to understand and all they appear able to do is send the airline an email and call you back.

I usually advice people to stay away from 3rd party bookers altogether. Just too much hassle if something goes wrong.