"Roland Perry" wrote in message
...
In message , at 20:31:38 on Wed, 14 Oct
2009, " remarked:

A colleague flying Business Class on United got bumped Saturday (flight
cancelled) and had to wait 24hrs for the next flight.

But, for the premium paid to travel first class

Business class.

and for the fact that it was not his fault, did the airline look after
him?

A free hotel room for 24hrs, and half the weekend trashed. (It was a her,
incidentally).


If operating within the EU, compensation is also payable.

In your colleague's case, the minimum they should have expected would have
been a seat on the next flight home, hotel accommodation as necessary and
compensation set down by EU regulations. These are the minimum every
passenger should expect when the flight originates in the EU.

Why was she bumped. If it was due to overbooking, the way airline bump will
depend on the the type of ticket (flexible or budget), frequent flyer
membership, class of travel etc. I am surprised that you colleague was not
offered a seat in economy and some compensation. They would then bump an
economy passenger to make room.

Bumping happens and if I am able to spare the time until the next flight I
will always volunteer myself (at check in or via the lounge desk) on the
provision of a class upgrade on the next flight (if long haul) or a decent
cash incentive (short haul). I have never been bumped or downgraded so
volunteering from the outset seems to work ). There seems to be no
incentive to volunteer being bumped on a budget airline though.

MC