Flight Cancelled.

[robin33]

Did the OP go to the airport and get bumped or did the travel agency contact him before he went to the airport to say the flight was canceled and he had been re-booked?
 
Since the flight did take place, I strongly suspect the travel agent is either being economical with the truth or something is getting lost in translation.
 
This is low season and as a fairly frequent KLM flyer, it's unlikely they are overbooked unless it's the last week of Dutch school summer holidays. From my experience in the US, Brazil, The Gambia and Japan, school holidays can wreak havoc on international seat availability unless you're at the front of the bus.

Frequent klm flyer... so sad


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[NoshowJones]

11 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Did the OP go to the airport and get bumped or did the travel agency contact him before he went to the airport to say the flight was canceled and he had been re-booked?

 

Since the flight did take place, I strongly suspect the travel agent is either being economical with the truth or something is getting lost in translation.

 

This is low season and as a fairly frequent KLM flyer, it's unlikely they are overbooked unless it's the last week of Dutch school summer holidays. From my experience in the US, Brazil, The Gambia and Japan, school holidays can wreak havoc on international seat availability unless you're at the front of the bus.

I phoned the travel agency when I was at my airport hotel to confirm my flight was OK, that's when I was told it wasn't, because exactly a year ago the same thing happened, but I got put on another flight, Emirates which left about the same time.

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, CharlieH said:

I would check with KLM tomorrow when you check in that the previous flight was in fact cancelled and the "agent" isnt pulling a fast one and screwed up !   

 

Check it happened first and go from there.

Thanks Charlie.

[NoshowJones]

20 minutes ago, fanjita said:

Did you check your booking on the KLM website / app, OP?

No I didn't.

[NanLaew]

36 minutes ago, robin33 said:

Frequent klm flyer... so sad


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Tell me about it. Once upon a time, they did a decent job, flew to all the places I worked and played and due to a 2-for-1 split on their old Flying Dutchman frequent flyer membership miles, I was like 3/4 million miles, gold whatever with free upgrades up the ying yang. Plus I liked Amsterdam, had a pied-à-terre off the Mauritskade and a cigar locker at P.G.C. Hajenius on the Rokin. Then Air France bought them and like standing in a dog turd, the moment was lost.

 

However, they still fly to the places I need to go when I need to go, are the go-to airline for seafarers (40kg baggage allowance) so they still check some of my boxes. I have long lost any illusions about airline customer loyalty, comfort and service having been 'up there' with all 3 major airline alliances, only to see the 'freebies' cost more or the perks evaporate faster than legroom in coach.

Edited September 9, 2018 by NanLaew

[fanjita]

Just now, possum1931 said:

No I didn't.

Okay.  At least you can check it out tomorrow at the KLM desk.

[stevenl]

49 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Did the OP go to the airport and get bumped or did the travel agency contact him before he went to the airport to say the flight was canceled and he had been re-booked?

 

Since the flight did take place, I strongly suspect the travel agent is either being economical with the truth or something is getting lost in translation.

 

This is low season and as a fairly frequent KLM flyer, it's unlikely they are overbooked unless it's the last week of Dutch school summer holidays. From my experience in the US, Brazil, The Gambia and Japan, school holidays can wreak havoc on international seat availability unless you're at the front of the bus.

I was thinking the same.

OP, first check with KLM if they had received your booking.

[fanjita]

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

I was thinking the same.

OP, first check with KLM if they had received your booking.

Surely the OP would have had a ticket and booking reference and therefore was booked.  Does no harm in checking, though.

[KittenKong]

33 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

I phoned the travel agency when I was at my airport hotel to confirm my flight was OK, that's when I was told it wasn't, because exactly a year ago the same thing happened, but I got put on another flight, Emirates which left about the same time.

Your agency sounds like a right shower. They were probably just waiting till the last minute to buy your ticket, hoping to save themselves - not you - some money, and both times it backfired. Trouble is, this year they couldn't find another flight on the same day so you got delayed.

 

When a ticket is purchased you get a PNR and a 6-character record locator. You can put that record locator into the airline's website along with your last name and it will show you your status which should be "OK" and all your flight details. You may also be able to select your seat and meal, depending on the airline.

 

If you dont have a record locator or PNR then you probably dont have a ticket at all.

 

Next time use a proper agency that issues the PNR and locator as soon as you click on "buy now", and sends them to you instantly by email. Or buy direct from the airline which will do the same thing. Anything less is to be avoided.

 

If no ticket was issued by the airline then you are very unlikely indeed to qualify for compensation from them.

[NoshowJones]

18 minutes ago, fanjita said:

Surely the OP would have had a ticket and booking reference and therefore was booked.  Does no harm in checking, though.

Yes, I have everything, and will hold on to it.

[NoshowJones]

15 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

Your agency sounds like a right shower. They were probably just waiting till the last minute to buy your ticket, hoping to save themselves - not you - some money, and both times it backfired. Trouble is, this year they couldn't find another flight on the same day so you got delayed.

 

When a ticket is purchased you get a PNR and a 6-character record locator. You can put that record locator into the airline's website along with your last name and it will show you your status which should be "OK" and all your flight details. You may also be able to select your seat and meal, depending on the airline.

 

If you dont have a record locator or PNR then you probably dont have a ticket at all.

 

Next time use a proper agency that issues the PNR and locator as soon as you click on "buy now", and sends them to you instantly by email. Or buy direct from the airline which will do the same thing. Anything less is to be avoided.

 

If no ticket was issued by the airline then you are very unlikely indeed to qualify for compensation from them.

I have used the same travel agency for years, and they have always done alright by me.

[KittenKong]

7 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

I have used the same travel agency for years, and they have always done alright by me.

"Always", except apparently last year and this year.

 

Up to you what you do, of course, but I will stick with online brokers who issue the ticket instantly.

[geriatrickid]

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Did the OP go to the airport and get bumped or did the travel agency contact him before he went to the airport to say the flight was canceled and he had been re-booked?

 

Since the flight did take place, I strongly suspect the travel agent is either being economical with the truth or something is getting lost in translation.

 

This is low season and as a fairly frequent KLM flyer, it's unlikely they are overbooked unless it's the last week of Dutch school summer holidays. From my experience in the US, Brazil, The Gambia and Japan, school holidays can wreak havoc on international seat availability unless you're at the front of the bus.

Exactly,.

To those claiming this is a case of "Denied Boarding". They are incorrect,

As per the  definitions of the  governing EU rule;

 

j) ‘denied boarding’ means a refusal to carry passengers on a flight, although they have presented themselves for boarding under the conditions laid down in Article 3(2), except where there are reasonable grounds to deny them boarding, such as reasons of health, safety or security, or inadequate travel documentation

 

Furthermore, I note that the passenger received a hotel room and a rebooking. This then impacts the application of the regulation as the event occurred in Thailand and not the EU.

 

1. This Regulation shall apply: (a) to passengers departing from an airport located in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies; (b) to passengers departing from an airport located in a third country to an airport situated in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies, unless they received benefits or compensation and were given assistance in that third country, if the operating air carrier of the flight concerned is a Community carrier.

 

Getting a handout under regulation 261 is not as easy as is stated. Passengers who get  bumped are flying in the lowest fare classes which specify their travel conditions. Passengers who do not have a reserved seat, i.e. have paid for a designated seat are most likely to get bumped. If someone purchases the cheapest fare class,  does not purchase a reserved seat and does not verify his reservation online, then he shouldn't be surprised if he gets bumped. This is the downside of the cheap airfares.

 

However, in this case, it is very unlikely that the airline bumped the passenger. Unlikely, because KLM is excellent at advising beforehand if there is an issue. The weakness at KLM is that reserved seats will disappear if there is an equipment change, which is why one must keep checking. I have lost my reserved seats 2X on the KLM  BKK-AMS flight. However, as has been stated already, it would seem that the issue is with the travel agency and not the airline. I would not be surprised if the passenger did not have a confirmed seat. It is the customer's obligation to  verify travel documents and airline tickets purchased from an independent travel agency.

Edited September 9, 2018 by geriatrickid

[robin33]

Exactly,.
To those claiming this is a case of "Denied Boarding". They are incorrect,
As per the  definitions of the  governing EU rule;
 
j) ‘denied boarding’ means a refusal to carry passengers on a flight, although they have presented themselves for boarding under the conditions laid down in Article 3(2), except where there are reasonable grounds to deny them boarding, such as reasons of health, safety or security, or inadequate travel documentation
 
Furthermore, I note that the passenger received a hotel room and a rebooking. This then impacts the application of the regulation as the event occurred in Thailand and not the EU.
 
1. This Regulation shall apply: (a) to passengers departing from an airport located in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies; (b) to passengers departing from an airport located in a third country to an airport situated in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies, unless they received benefits or compensation and were given assistance in that third country, if the operating air carrier of the flight concerned is a Community carrier.
 
Getting a handout under regulation 261 is not as easy as is stated. Passengers who get  bumped are flying in the lowest fare classes which specify their travel conditions. Passengers who do not have a reserved seat, i.e. have paid for a designated seat are most likely to get bumped. If someone purchases the cheapest fare class,  does not purchase a reserved seat and does not verify his reservation online, then he shouldn't be surprised if he gets bumped. This is the downside of the cheap airfares.
 
However, in this case, it is very unlikely that the airline bumped the passenger. Unlikely, because KLM is excellent at advising beforehand if there is an issue. The weakness at KLM is that reserved seats will disappear if there is an equipment change, which is why one must keep checking. I have lost my reserved seats 2X on the KLM  BKK-AMS flight. However, as has been stated already, it would seem that the issue is with the travel agency and not the airline. I would not be surprised if the passenger did not have a confirmed seat. It is the customer's obligation to  verify travel documents and airline tickets purchased from an independent travel agency.

I work at an airport and see it on a daily basis that planes are overbooked.

They first ask for volunteers to get a later flight they offer always money or vouchers.

And you get if nessesery hotel and taxi cost. If there are no volunteers the offering gets higher. Until there are volunteers. The next flight can be with the same airline or I have even see it happen they call a other airline to get you home as soon. As possible.



So in this case if the flight was overbooked . Some one screwed you.

If not I m very curious what happened...

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[KittenKong]

6 hours ago, robin33 said:

I work at an airport and see it on a daily basis that planes are overbooked.

They first ask for volunteers to get a later flight they offer always money or vouchers.

In my experience this usually happens at the airport at check-in time. I've never come across it happening the day before, except in case of an equipment change.

 

I find it very odd that the OP only found out about it when he called the travel agency, and that the agency/airline didn't call/email him. When there are any changes on my itineraries - even just a schedule change of a few minutes - I get an email straight away.

[stevenl]

6 hours ago, robin33 said:

I work at an airport and see it on a daily basis that planes are overbooked.

They first ask for volunteers to get a later flight they offer always money or vouchers.

And you get if nessesery hotel and taxi cost. If there are no volunteers the offering gets higher. Until there are volunteers. The next flight can be with the same airline or I have even see it happen they call a other airline to get you home as soon. As possible.



So in this case if the flight was overbooked . Some one screwed you.

If not I m very curious what happened...

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
 

" I work at an airport and see it on a daily basis that planes are overbooked.

They first ask for volunteers to get a later flight they offer always money or vouchers.

And you get if nessesery hotel and taxi cost. If there are no volunteers the offering gets higher. Until there are volunteers. The next flight can be with the same airline or I have even see it happen they call a other airline to get you home as soon. As possible. "

 

And with the OP being cancelled the day before this is applicable how?

[NanLaew]

3 hours ago, stevenl said:

... If there are no volunteers the offering gets higher. Until there are volunteers. ...

Except on the last weekend of Japanese school holidays at SFO and two weeks later on the last weekend of Brazilian school holidays at ATL where absolutely no financial enticements were enough when kids just had to get back home in time for school on Monday. On the first shambles, I got rerouted via Beijing... while my bags languished at San Francisco for 3 days! At ATL, due to a horrendous cock-up by Delta (what's new) where they did a last minute equipment change with 3 less seats in Coach, I was punted to Business Class... while the bags stayed on the ground in Atlanta because union workers apparently stop loading bags on planes at 10 PM regardless if the aircraft departure is delayed.

[wgdanson]

11 hours ago, KittenKong said:

Up to you what you do, of course, but I will stick with online brokers who issue the ticket instantly.

Or why not book directly with the airline, might be a couple of quid more expensive, but 100% confirmed.

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

I have no understanding at all why anybody would book through a travel agency (In this day and age , perhaps booking through a third party site to get a cheap ticket maybe). They do sweet fa but take a commission

Always book directly through the airlines website. Always have a frequently flyer number with the particular airline. Wear decent clothing. Take a shower in the morning (no facial hair or tattoos).

Always pay by Major credit card, not bank debit card, and never cash. You’ll never be last on the list and I can’t tell you how many times I was bumped to Business class on an economy ticket.

[JerseytoBKK]

14 hours ago, possum1931 said:

I have used the same travel agency for years, and they have always done alright by me.

So either they lied when they said the flight was cancelled or you misheard what they said.

 

Only reason I can think of for a "unexplained cancellation" is that you're using an agency that specializes in deep discount premium fares by buying award tickets.  

[KittenKong]

3 hours ago, wgdanson said:

Or why not book directly with the airline, might be a couple of quid more expensive, but 100% confirmed.

Yes, that's also a suitable option and one I mentioned earlier.

 

Sometimes some airlines also have sale prices that are only available via their own website and which are not available at all from third parties. Over the last couple of years I've had some brilliant sale fares that way: anything up to 75% off the normal list price. But those deals are usually only available for a couple of days so you have to be quick.

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Isn't confirmation required 24 hours prior to departure?

That requirement became redundant and was stopped about 20 years ago.

[NoshowJones]

On 9/9/2018 at 4:28 PM, KittenKong said:

"Always", except apparently last year and this year.

 

Up to you what you do, of course, but I will stick with online brokers who issue the ticket instantly.

I will keep that in mind for next year.Thanks.

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

I don't know why it was cancelled, I phoned travel agency last night to confirm,and they told me it was cancelled, they brought a new travel initerary to my hotel and gave me the money for another night.
So it is possible I will not get any compensation?

You will not get any additional compensation. You are a customer of the Agent, not the airline. The agent made a promise to you which they did not keep. Why not take it up with the travel agent?
And the flight what was never cancelled? A bold face lie.

The airline will have no knowledge of your original booking as it was never actually made. Thus you are not allowed anything under the “ contract of carriage” or EU regulations.

[janclaes47]

1 hour ago, ChiangMaiLightning2143 said:

You will not get any additional compensation. You are a customer of the Agent, not the airline.

OP posted that he had a ticket, so he was a customer of the airline

Edited September 11, 2018 by janclaes47

[Esso49]

On 9/9/2018 at 7:35 PM, bannork said:

I believe you are entitled to 3 free albums by George Jones, all signed by the great man himself.

2nd prize is 6 free albums ?

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

OP posted that he had a ticket, so he was a customer of the airline

Incorrect. He posted he was given an itinerary by the travel agent. Means nothing.

If he had an actual ticket he would have been provided with a valid KL PNR (6 digit alphanumeric) or valid KL eTicket number which is a 13 digit number that always begins with 074

Then he could check himself on with the airlines phone number and website and would this be a confirmed passenger allowed all the benefits and provisos of the contract of carriage and EU “bump” legislation.

I don’t know why travel agents still exist in such numbers. I know some people are elderly, illiterate, not computer savvy, small children, no credit card. But they usually travel with a responsible person.

[janclaes47]

1 minute ago, ChiangMaiLightning2143 said:

Incorrect. He posted he was given an itinerary by the travel agent. Means nothing.

I don't find that post, what I find is that OP answered a question if he had a ticket, and swered he had EVERYTHING

 

 

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

I can’t read that link.

If the OP has a valid PNR from the original flight or an eTicket number then he will be able to claim all the compensation entitled to him under EU legislation and the contract of carriage if he was actually bumped due to overbooking.

 

I strongly suspect the travel agent took the OPs money before securing a confirmed seat. They work with consolidators (bucket shops) to get last minute seats cheap, exploiting the aged, unsophisticated, and unaware. Or they can just book through Skyscanner, Orbitz, etc. and tack on a commission.

 

The flight was not cancelled that is clear from postings of tracking sites. They lied.

 

Travel agencies, a bizarre anachronism of a previous time. Soon to be relegated to the dust-bin, like buggy whips. I can buy an airline ticket, confirmed, on my iPhone, Galaxy, or laptop and pay for it in 3 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[stevenl]

On 9/10/2018 at 10:17 AM, NanLaew said:

Except on the last weekend of Japanese school holidays at SFO and two weeks later on the last weekend of Brazilian school holidays at ATL where absolutely no financial enticements were enough when kids just had to get back home in time for school on Monday. On the first shambles, I got rerouted via Beijing... while my bags languished at San Francisco for 3 days! At ATL, due to a horrendous cock-up by Delta (what's new) where they did a last minute equipment change with 3 less seats in Coach, I was punted to Business Class... while the bags stayed on the ground in Atlanta because union workers apparently stop loading bags on planes at 10 PM regardless if the aircraft departure is delayed.

Why quote me when that is nothing like I said?