I was talking to some friends the other day who have just returned from the UK. They stopped over in Dubai and when they checked in for their flight to London they were told "sorry we've overbooked and you are now on the next flight". They were pretty annoyed, having booked months in advance and their son in the UK had taken the day off work to pick them up. I think they said they were given a credit from the airline to be used for future travel.

I know airlines overbook all the time. We have been offered cash at check in if we were willing to give up our seats. Imagine though how your travel plans could be thrown into disarray so easily. Bad weather, mechanical problems etc are to be expected now and then but losing your prepaid and prebooked seat is not on. Anyone else had this problem?

Augusta, not only are people being being bumped to the next flight because of over booking, which is incidently an age old event, but now airlines are simply cnacelling entire flights because not enough seats are sold.

Last week I was at a conference in Sydney and several of the Victorian people commented that their flights to Sydney had been cancelled and then they were bumped onto the next flight. Then on the way home, sitting in the Sydney airport, these exact people again had their flight cancelled on the way home.

It seems that airlines will no longer fly a less than full flight.

I agree with Penny, no full flight no fly! We had friends who were recently flying to N.Z. there were mechanical problems with their plane. Delayed, then delayed again then gradually pulled passengers to other flights - final upshot our friends spent 7.30 hours waiting before finally heading for the land of the long white cloud. Sorry folks I think this is the way of the future for flying.

It's looking more and more important to fly in a day or so early for tours so that joining the tour is not compromised if the airline messes up your departure time.

I always gasp a little when I read how some people fly in the morning or evening before a tour begins.

However, I am a stickler for plans... I like everything organised, written down with reference notes attached and back up plans well placed for the inevitable disaster that I am always worrying about as I lay awake at 2 am.

quote:

Originally posted by Penny1:
It's looking more and more important to fly in a day or so early for tours so that joining the tour is not compromised if the airline messes up your departure time.

I always gasp a little when I read how some people fly in the morning or evening before a tour begins.

However, I am a stickler for plans... I like everything organised, written down with reference notes attached and back up plans well placed for the inevitable disaster that I am always worrying about as I lay awake at 2 am.

We always fly in at least 2 days before a tour, depending on how interesting the start city is. Tip: if it is Frankfurt don't bother I too worry about delays etc & also like to be refreshed & ready for the tour after our long flight. On our last TT there were people still arriving at 6pm before the 1st day of the tour. Yikes - cutting it too fine for me.

Frankfurt isn't so bad if you hire a bike or a car.

There are some great places within a day trip of the place.

The train system in Germany is easy peasy too.

I always have a day or two prior and days after and even a week at home after a trip.. I watch those airline shows were they offer money, accommodation etc for any one willing to off load.. I wait and hope but so far in vain

quote:

Originally posted by Penny1:
Frankfurt isn't so bad if you hire a bike or a car.

There are some great places within a day trip of the place.

The train system in Germany is easy peasy too.

Yes, we did a day trip by train & it was lovely, we also did a river cruise. However I won't be rushing back to Frankfurt.

Bike? Did you say bike? I need to lie down

quote:

Originally posted by Dimpz:
.... we also did a river cruise. However I won't be rushing back to Frankfurt.

Dimpz, it would be appreciated if you could email me the details on your river cruise in Frankfurt.

We will be in Frankfurt next Wednesday and intend to wander down to the river and take a river cruise. Any info or comments on your experience would be appreciated.

Puff ~ On it's way.

I would never fly in on the day the tour was meant to start for this reason. Also find need this time to recover from the flight so as to enjoy the holiday properly. We did have friends who missed the beginning of a cruise because of a delayed flight. That would be horrible.

Leaving Amsterdam in May flying to Singapore KLM had overbooked the flight. They were offering people 600 euros to delay flying for 24 hours It appeared they were offering this to Singaporians who obviously (or most likely) did not have a connecting flight to catch.

Just something to ponder ...

How is this any different to companies like TT cancelling guaranteed departures? You book a flight and pay ... you book a GD tour and pay ... You expect the flight/tour will depart and/or you have a seat ...

Yet tour companies get crucified (and I admit I have been critical). At least their fine print says they can cancel. Has anyone ever questioned an airline on this? Seems a little lopsided to me ...

quote:

Originally posted by Dimpz:
Puff ~ On it's way.

Thanks Dimpz. Received OK and it is pretty much exactly what we had planned.

quote:

Originally posted by michelle123:
Just something to ponder ...

How is this any different to companies like TT cancelling guaranteed departures? You book a flight and pay ... you book a GD tour and pay ... You expect the flight/tour will depart and/or you have a seat ...

Yet tour companies get crucified (and I admit I have been critical). At least their fine print says they can cancel. Has anyone ever questioned an airline on this? Seems a little lopsided to me ...

I am sure many people get very critical- to say nothing of having screaming tantrums when it happens to them. Ultimately though what can you do. Like cancelled tours you can complain all you like but it won't change anything. I am still waiting for the other kind of 'bumping' to happen. You know the one when they decide they are overfull so they will have to move you to business class? I dream of that moment every time I am on a plane.