My flights got changed!

chrisjones3

Hello

I booked on March 14th this year to fly to Lisbon with a family of 5 in August with TAP. We chose the 2pm return as we have to drive up from Faro and all looked good

Just a few days ago the booked agent sent me a routine looking note with flight details and on checking them I found we had been moved to a 7am return which means losing a nights in a rental we booked and driving through the night to get the 7am return. Or I guess booking an alternate accommodation near the airport with incremental costs.

On contacting the agent they dais 'TAP overbooked' and its not their fault. they will try to work something out.

On reading the reviews of the agent it seems I am not the only one to have the problem where they book months in advance and when closer get switched to a different flight that is not attractive. It appears to be a relatively common event with that agent. They appear to ATOL covered

1) What are my rights where the agent moves my flights by 7 hours to a much more inconvenient time?

2) Is the stealthy approach of sending a routine looking 'reconfirmation' mail normal/acceptable - as opposed to a mail clearly saying please note your flights have changed due to over booking and contact us if the return is not suitable so we can discuss other options - or something along those lines.

We travel a lot and shop around for flights but even finding lowest cost flights I have never had this happen before

Chris

chrisjones3

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your e-mail. Change in your flight timings are caused due to flight over booking . We have reserved passengers onto an earlier flight for the same day .

As we get closer to the dates flights will be fully booked as your return dates falls into the highest season of the year . Later on these options might not be available as the flights on nearby dates are also

Getting sold out .

As per my understanding with TAP representative this morning our request for the waitlist is still pending with the airline and no time limit can be associated to when the waitlist will be confirmed .

I am waiting for a final confirmation on this from the airline to decide further course of action and will revert back to you as soon as possible .

In the mean time may you require further assistance please contact me on below details

photome

It happens a lot with scheduled flights, in his instance its best to book direct with the airline who are in a better position to help.

Are you sure the flight hasn't just been changed to different time.

Is there any other flights at a different time that you could ask to be put on

peachyprice

Couldn't you ask the agent to swap you on to a Faro flight for the return journey? Seems crazy to have booked Lisbon when you want to go to the Algarve in the first place.

jpsartre

An airline is highly unlikely to bump overbooked passengers several weeks out. my guess is that either the agent didn't issue tickets when you booked your flights or the original flight has been cancelled/schedule changed. It should be easy enough for you to check if your original flight is still operating. These kinds of situations is why I prefer to book flights direct with the airlines.

leylandsunaddict

If the agent holds an Atol it will be of no use in these circumstances.

Which agent? It sounds like they either didn't pay and confirm the flights so the airline cancelled them, and the agent has rebooked you, or the flight has been cancelled or rescheduled by the airline and they've automatically rebooked you onto an earlier flight. The airline won't have bumped you due to overbooking. Bumping, when necessary, is generally done at the airport.

Either way, it would have been easier to sort if you'd have booked direct. I don't know why you'd fly out of Lisbon though when Faro have an airport.

Westin

Can I offer up another possible explanation and why the term 'overbooking' may have been used and the passengers reaccommodate on to another flight.

Perhaps Air Portugal have changed the aircraft due to operate the original service. Perhaps from an A320 to a smaller capacity A319. With a popular August service already 'overSOLD' with a seat capacity reduction, some passengers need moving.

The OP hasn't provided the full flight details or routing ex LIS so unable to check further.

Just a thought...

Routing ex FAO as Peachyprice suggests might be a win/win all round.