[coolerlady]

I booked 2 first class tickets on the "D" word (had such a bad experience with this airline I can't even say the name out loud) from FL to LA (connection in GA). Our flight from GA to LA left without us and we were put on another flight but on coach. I was told I would get the difference of what I paid for when I returned to LA. However, when I called them to request a refund they are claiming that I did not purchase first class tickets but a coach with an upgrade?

This is not noted on my ticket or confirmation anywhere. And at the time 2 coach tickets were $320.00 each and 2 first class were $980.00 each.

They tried to offer me a $100.00 coupon but I should receive the difference between coach and first. Any ideas how to fight this?

[Leatherboy2006]

can you find anywere on your ticket what they call the fare code?
I know they use F for First and Y (or group of other letters) for coach.
The last ticket I bought started with a B(coach fare)

[jimworcs]

If your ticket shows first class and you can show what the price difference was, just file a claim in the small claims court. Airlines seek to evade their responsibilities by such technicalities, but the court will consider if the airline mis-represented what they were offerring you. Their offer cannot be justified and I suspect if you file a claim they will cave in. Even if they don't, you will more likely win than not.

[coolerlady]

The ticket class is A and D. First class and business (when I booked the ticket they told me it was not called First but Business for the 2nd leg of the flight.)

Small claims court sounds like a good idea.

Thanks.

[jimworcs]

Just for your information, here are the codes, but if it was represented to you as a first class ticket, said first class on the ticket, regardless of the technical category, you should sue!!

The codes in short:

F = Full-Fare First Class
P = First Class
A = First Class Discounted
R = First Class Suites (currently only Airbus A380
"n" after any class code indicates Night Service

Business class codes

C, J = Full-fare Business Class,
D, I, Z = Business Class Discounted

Economy class codes

Full fare: Y, B
Standard fare: M, H, N
Special or discount fares: G, K, L, O, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X

I'd sue!

[wkharris2001]

okay this one is hard to explain but i'll do my best. just let me know if it needs more clarification.

just as coach fares are divided into seperate "classes of service" y,b,m,h,k,q,l,u,t (Highest price to lowest) so are the first class fares f,a or business class j,d

The A and D classes are booked as "up" fares. meaning if you're booked into A class of service you will have either a y-up, b-up or m-up fare rather than a full First class fare. Since Y, B, and M are coach classes of service. an up fare IS a coach ticket with an upgrade to first class. so some people call it a "discounted" first class ticket, but in all actuality it's a coach ticket with an upgrade.

I hope that kind of explains everything for you coolerlady

I neither defend nor agree with this fare structure as it is confusing for passengers. I'm just trying to explain a little about how it works.

[coolerlady]

Thank you - yes makes sense. So it looks like the ticket I paid for was first class for the 1st half of the trip and the other half was a coach with upgrade to first class.

Question, even though the ticket was coach with an upgrade to first, we did not get to fly on first but on coach. So I should be able to get the "upgrade" price back correct? Do you think this is even something I should bother with?

Again, they sent me the $100 coupon which I will not use since I won't be going near this airline again.

[wkharris2001]

well no, you said A and D they are both "up fares" just different products one is Business Class the other is first class. your fare was probably actually a B fare or an M fare your fare basis code should probably be buprl or muprl. when you're rerouted there really is no refund that can be given, the only other option would have been a full refund of your ticket if your flight was cancelled or delayed for more than 90 minutes. which you probably would have paid twice as much on another airline to get to your destination. I would take the reroute and the $100.

[jimworcs]

Coolerlady: I cannot believe how reasonable you are being about this. The explanation helpfully provided by wkharris illustrates one thing very clearly. The rules, which are clear as mud, are designed to confuse and obfuscate to the advantage of the airline over the customer. In fact, your position is this:

A cheap economy option was available to you when you booked your tickets, but you chose to "upgrade" to a higher class of service and you paid this higher fee. Had you been told that the airline had the option of flying you in coach with no refund, you may well have paid the lower economy fare. Therefore you have been duped into paying a higher fare, in return for the "chance" to fly in a higher class of cabin. This is a form of gambling.. I wonder if the airline has a license to operate as a casino?

Furthermore, the airline sought to encourage you to take the gamble, by telling you that you would be flying in a premium cabin. I am positive that when you were sold the ticket, you did not get the explanation of your ticket given by wkharris. Even if you had, would the average customer understand it.

SUE. You will not be flying with them again. The cost of suing is relatively small in the small claims court. It will cost Delta money to defend it. Even if you lose, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you cost the airline money and their profit on you was lessened. If you win, you will be considerably better off than a lousy discount voucher of $100.

[coolerlady]

Jimworcs, you know what - you are absolutely correct - I was duped. At no time was the ticket explained - I asked and paid for a first class ticket. Coach or upgrade was never mentioned to me. I will sue. Just cuz I want that HORRIBLE airline to spend the money.

Thank you very much for your explanation.

[The_Judge]

Please post the results of the lawsuit. I am VERY curious to the outcome.

[jimworcs]

Me too!! I am not a gambling man (except when I fly Delta, and gamble on whether they will deliver what I have paid for), but I suspect Delta will cave once the suit is filed.