Cabin Class Downgrade

Bridget_Jones_3

I have a flight booked with Singapore Airlines for December 2022 (booked in March) - London to Brisbane with a short stopover in Singapore.  I booked Premium Economy class.  I received an email last week from the airline informing me that Premium Economy is no longer available on this flight and I have been put into Economy class.
I understand that there are often aircraft changes, but I have been given no choice in the seat in Economy, nor been offered an alternative flight, or offered a part refund for the difference in cabin class.  I have tried contacting Singapore Airlines to discuss - and they just keep sending the same reply - we're sorry for any inconvenience and you can have a full refund if you want to cancel..  Does anyone have any tips on what I can do to get them to respond properly to my emails - and also what my rights are (if any)  Thanks

lisyloo

Do they have any online chat or phone number.
I've found Emirates pretty good.

I don't think you'll have many rights wrt the downgrade unfortunately, because they are offering both to get your there OR a full refund.

They usually have terms and conditions about this due to operational reasons.

I would be wanting a refund of the difference in cabin classes.

I presume you've looked at alternate flights?

Sandtree

Did you book direct?

https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/downgrading/

The CAA advise on how the law operates and what refund you are entitled to

Bicycleman22

I phoned SQ yesterday and they answered within 10 minutes

diystarter7

They are good and seek a refund and rebook with another carrier. Changes like this happen and I don't expect them to to downgrade a first clas passenger and give you their seats so just rebook.

comeandgo

Have you checked all your spam folders as we got an email from them regarding our flight in November saying the chosen seats we had paid to select had changed to the ones behind and they said in the email we would get our seat booking fee returned.  

I have just reread the email they say if the cabin has been downgraded they will get in touch with you.  Maybe give them more time?

Sandtree

diystarter7 said:

They are good and seek a refund and rebook with another carrier. Changes like this happen and I don't expect them to to downgrade a first clas passenger and give you their seats so just rebook.

How they treat a First Class passenger is likely to be materially different to someone in Premium Economy. I couldn't even find a First flight from LHR to PER only first to SIN and then business to PER and that was £10k

diystarter7

Sandtree said:

diystarter7 said:

They are good and seek a refund and rebook with another carrier. Changes like this happen and I don't expect them to to downgrade a first clas passenger and give you their seats so just rebook.

How they treat a First Class passenger is likely to be materially different to someone in Premium Economy. I couldn't even find a First flight from LHR to PER only first to SIN and then business to PER and that was £10k

I hope they treat first-class passengers differently, lol. Our son was upgraded from business to first-class recently free of charge and he said its a different world in there for comfort and food.

It all depends on the routes. It's no good putting a lot of first and business-class flights on certain routes as there will not be the numbers.

The only extra money I would pay is for extra legroom and used the money saved to enjoy the hols with.

Sandtree

diystarter7 said:

Sandtree said:

diystarter7 said:

They are good and seek a refund and rebook with another carrier. Changes like this happen and I don't expect them to to downgrade a first clas passenger and give you their seats so just rebook.

How they treat a First Class passenger is likely to be materially different to someone in Premium Economy. I couldn't even find a First flight from LHR to PER only first to SIN and then business to PER and that was £10k

I hope they treat first-class passengers differently, lol. Our son was upgraded from business to first-class recently free of charge and he said its a different world in there for comfort and food.

It all depends on the routes. It's no good putting a lot of first and business-class flights on certain routes as there will not be the numbers.

The only extra money I would pay is for extra legroom and used the money saved to enjoy the hols with.

Which airline?

Clearly at the airport and on the plane they will do... if its any difference when you've bought online and the flight is cancelled a few days later? You'd hope so but never had it happen to me. 

Have only flown First twice and both were bought with airmiles and it was a significantly different experience in both. Haven't flown First in BA but in the old/still what most planes are format it really looked little different from Business/Club... indeed many reviewers have said the new Club Suites are a better option to go for than the old First if you have the choice. 

Westin

OP's situation is a downgrade on Singapore Airlines for part of her trip from Premium Economy to Economy.

OP has the right of a refund on the fare between the two cabin classes or a cancellation/refund on the whole trip.

SQ operate three different configured A350 aircraft.  One configuration is for ultra-long-haul flights, one for long-haul flights and one for mid-haul flights.  I suspect the original long-haul configuration which has a PE cabin has been switched out for a mid-haul fitted A350. The latter has no PE cabin and a lot more Economy cabin seats. 

There is no right to be upgraded from PE to Business. 

comeandgo

Westin said:

OP's situation is a downgrade on Singapore Airlines for part of her trip from Premium Economy to Economy.

OP has the right of a refund on the fare between the two cabin classes or a cancellation/refund on the whole trip.

SQ operate three different configured A350 aircraft.  One configuration is for ultra-long-haul flights, one for long-haul flights and one for mid-haul flights.  I suspect the original long-haul configuration which has a PE cabin has been switched out for a mid-haul fitted A350. The latter has no PE cabin and a lot more Economy cabin seats. 

There is no right to be upgraded from PE to Business. 

Westin, would Heathrow to Singapore be an ultra long haul flight or a long haul one?