There are deals...

miduck

Just saw the news on FB - fantastic! Going to wait until I get individual confirmation before booking my onward flights to Vegas

Mr_Wang

Full response:

Dear Alitalia fans,

Thank you for the interest you took in our Facebook Global Offer. Alitalia was the first airline to create a global event of this kind for the Internet community: the most wide-ranging Alitalia promotion ever.

We offered a worldwide 25% discount, with the exception of Japan, where for technical reasons we were forced to create a unique E-Coupon worth 25.000 yen (approximately 250 euro) to be used exclusively for the purchase of flights from Tokyo or Osaka. This redemption rules were clearly stated in the Japanese version of the Facebook offer.

Unfortunately, due to a malfunction, the system did not recognize the limitation of this unique e-coupon to be used only on routes from Japan. As a result, the system erroneously allowed the voucher discount of 25,000 yen to be used on all routes in Alitalia’s global network.

The news spread rapidly online and in a matter of a few hours our Japanese website reported a dramatic surge in visits and purchase requests from several geographical areas.

This unusual occurrence on the Japanese website triggered a security system alert which, considering the high percentage of number of requests at zero cost, froze all transactions. The promotion’s objective was to spur and increase the sale of tickets at a discounted price, and not to issue tickets for free or at a minimal cost.

However, since Alitalia intends to protect clients who have committed a, albeit minimal,amount with their credit card, we confirm the validity of the transactions requested on the Japanese site with a value greater than 1 euro cent. Those clients will soon receive an e-mail with their ticket.

Finally, in consideration of the great success of the promotion, we decided to extend the 25% discount offer for two additional days.

Alitalia Facebook Team

lisaloo1977

Ha brilliant just saw this and thought of you straight away. Oh heck I just booked an extra week onto Florida in march, oh well New York it is as well ))
Enjoy Venezuela

miamoo

Well done Mr Wang!
I have never heard of that website before, just noticed the deals avaialable if you book through Thomas Cook.nl flying from Amsterdam.
Are there any things I should be aware of if I book this way?
Do I have the same rights as if I book in the UK?

miduck

miamoo wrote: »

Well done Mr Wang!
I have never heard of that website before, just noticed the deals avaialable if you book through Thomas Cook.nl flying from Amsterdam.
Are there any things I should be aware of if I book this way?
Do I have the same rights as if I book in the UK?

If you are beginning your journey ex EU, the main thing to be aware of is that you need to ensure you are there in good time. What constitutes good time depends on your risk level, for me I'll always fly in the day before. Others will only aim to be there three hours before, but any delay ex UK and you're in trouble.

With regard to your legal rights, you can still rely on the EU Regulation if you are delayed or the flight is cancelled.

budgetflyer

malkie76 wrote: »

Less any excess, which is what is at risk. Then of course increased premiums for the next five years. And any non refundable elements (taxis transfers hotels currency exchange short falls).

As a say, I hope it works, but I personally prefer a low risk strategy for booking holidays to avoid disappointment.

I have had 2 pretty big legitimate claims in the last 4 years and it hasn't had any effect on my premiums

Mr_Wang

budgetflyer wrote: »

I have had 2 pretty big legitimate claims in the last 4 years and it hasn't had any effect on my premiums

Mine goes through my bank account and I've fortunately never had to use it (yet)

But I think the point raised (not by Malkie) about never using Alitalia because they may go bust, is just the usual negativity posted on these boards when things look good.

Remember when Aeroflot offered amazing flights to the Far East and it caused uproar about how unsafe an airline they are etc, and no one would fly aeroflot blah blah blah. Well those flights have now been and gone and no one was in an accident.

Now Alitalia had one of the best glitches in airline history and now suddenly they might go bankrupt.
And they might, but then so might any airline, or holiday company, or travel agent or indeed hotel.
Or "it's too much hassle" because saving £500 on a ticket just isn't worth the Ryanair £20 flight to Venice first etc etc

The sad reality is that these boards have lost their sense of direction and are really, not much more than a forum for people to tell others how it's their own fault, to criticise a good deal, to criticise others and to really, at times to be quite sarcastic and nasty. The odd occasion a good deal does come up it's often lost amongst the pessimism and probably resentment of those that were just too late.

dickydonkin

Mr_Wang wrote: »

The sad reality is that these boards have lost their sense of direction and are really, not much more than a forum for people to tell others how it's their own fault, to criticise a good deal, to criticise others and to really, at times to be quite sarcastic and nasty. The odd occasion a good deal does come up it's often lost amongst the pessimism and probably resentment of those that were just too late.

Seems like a self assessment Mr. W .

signol

Well done Mr Wang, I booked a weekend in Venice, plus day trips to Rome and Milan. Didn't spend a single penny so all have been cancelled

signol

Mr_Wang

signol wrote: »

Well done Mr Wang, I booked a weekend in Venice, plus day trips to Rome and Milan. Didn't spend a single penny so all have been cancelled

signol

What do you want... A refund