Flight changed to 24 hrs later

kuepper

Etihad have 'changed' my flight to Abu Dhabi in 6 weeks time by putting it back 24 hrs so presumably it's not 'cancelled' nor 'delayed'. It means the 1st night hotel I booked will be wasted money as i won't be there. I can't see this particular circumstance precisely covered in any advice, do I just have to take it on the chin?

marcia_

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6663473/flight-changed-to-24-hrs-later

do you have travel insurance?

jaybeetoo

As it’s more than 12 hours you can get a refund or alternative flight.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/flight-changes/

Ayr_Rage

If you are staying in Abu Dhabi in 6 weeks time you must be sweating on the FCDO advice changing as currently most insurers will not cover your trip.

Have Etihad offered a refund or date change?

Was the hotel booked as part of a package or separately?

kuepper

Yes I have travel insurance and I booked flights separately to hotel last September, I have an onward flight from Abu Dhabi to Japan which is where I'll have paid for a hotel i can no longer use for one night. They offered me a refund or alternative dates but they're of no use to me really.

Ayr_Rage

Even if transiting Abu Dhabi most insurers will not cover you if the FCDO advises against all but essential travel, you need to check.

Etihad have complied with their obligations and the ball is now back in your court.

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81957211#Comment_81957211

Is this a through booking from UK to Japan with connecting flights, or two independent ones? Has the first flight been cancelled or have you just been bumped off a flight that's still operating?

If you're unhappy about a refund or alternative dates, what resolution are you hoping for?

kuepper

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81957319#Comment_81957319

It's a through booking. I'd never considered that I'd been bumped off, all i got was an email saying my flight had changed and the departure/arrival times were the same except they were a day later. Looking at Etihad site now the the flight to Abu Dhabi is still running on my original date it's the connecting flight EY814 on 18 May to Japan that isn't showing so I assume that's been cancelled. As to resolution I simply wondered if I should have been offered a night's hotel on my original departure date or a night in Abu Dhabi on my original departure date or the monetary equivalent or if any statutory compensation applied.

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81960629#Comment_81960629

There's no statutory compensation available if you've been notified six weeks before travel.

You could theoretically insist on them rerouting you (from the UK to Japan) on your original travel date, with another carrier if necessary, as they're obliged to fly you at the earliest opportunity, but expect resistance if you suggest something that would cost them a fortune!