My original flight was changed to a cheaper flight by the airline, can I get the difference back?

pennythepants

When I originally booked my flights there were two available for that date  I ended up booking the afternoon flight rather than the late evening one because it would be an easier time to travel with my 1 year old. The afternoon flight was double the price of the evening one. I have now been informed that I have been moved to the evening flight instead (I'm assuming the afternoon flight was cancelled), which honestly has stressed me out because my son will not travel well at that time... I have now paid double what I could have, and will still need to travel with a grumpy child! Is there anyway at all to get some of the difference in cost back? 

bradders1983

Which airline? You more than likely booked a non refundable rate, so the answer is more than likely to be no.

Caz3121

If the flight you were booked on is cancelled it may be possible to get a refund and you could purchase the evening flight at the current price...is it still cheaper than the price you paid or are you comparing the prices at the time you originally booked?

pennythepants

bradders1983 said:

Which airline? You more than likely booked a non refundable rate, so the answer is more than likely to be no.

TAP. I've just looked, and yes, it is a non-refundable rate. I've always assumed that would be in relation to cancellations made by myself, not the airline, my bad. 

pennythepants

Caz3121 said:

If the flight you were booked on is cancelled it may be possible to get a refund and you could purchase the evening flight at the current price...is it still cheaper than the price you paid or are you comparing the prices at the time you originally booked?

Yes, the current price is cheaper at the moment, but not as cheap as it was when I first booked. 

Caz3121

you can't do anything about the historic prices. Have you been offered the option of a refund for the cancelled flight? if you are concerned about the times you could maybe look at rebooking on another airline with better times if you still wish to travel, although schedule changes and cancellations are likely to be happening for months so the same could happen again.

superbigal

This is very much the tactics that Brusselairlines were using. However the change in flight number was only ever an offer which you were/are entitled to refuse. They were certainly not making the change automatically. You had to click to accept.   Thus as previous poster has indicated if you declined you could then request a refund and make your own fresh booking.