Flight: downgrading & upgrading

WHAT DOES "DOWNGRADE" MEAN?

A so-called "downgrade" is the transfer of a passenger to a lower class of carriage than the one for which the ticket was purchased (e.g. from Business Class to Economy Class).

I WAS MOVED TO A LOWER CLASS ON A FLIGHT - CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK?

Yes.

In such a case, the airline is obliged to refund part of the flight price within seven days. The amount of the refund depends on the direct flight distance of the route on which you were affected by the downgrading:

• all flights up to 1,500 km: 30 percent of the ticket price
• Flights within the EU from 1,500 km: 50 percent of the ticket price
• Flights from 1,500 km to 3,500 km (not within the EU): 50 percent of the ticket price
• Flights over 3500 km (not within the EU): 75 percent of the ticket price

Please note: Only the price of the flight itself, excluding the taxes and fees shown on the ticket, is to be taken into account for the refund.

§ The legal basis is Article 10 of Regulation (EC) 261/2004.

WHAT DOES "UPGRADING" MEAN?

A so-called "upgrading" is the opposite of downgrading: the passenger is moved to a higher class of carriage than the one for which the ticket was purchased.

IS THERE ANYTHING TO CONSIDER WHEN UPGRADING?

It is important for passengers to know: If the airline transfers the passenger to a higher class of carriage than the one for which the ticket was purchased, it may not charge a surcharge.

§ The legal basis is Article 10 of Regulation (EC) 261/2004.

GOOD TO KNOW!

The apf has provided sample letters in German and English on its website(www.passagier.at) for the letter of demand to the respective airline on the subject of "downgrading".

The sample letter can be customized by selecting the text modules that are relevant to the case in question. If an airline only accepts complaints online, the individual text modules can be copied and pasted into the online complaint form.

⇒ apf recommends making sure that the submission of the claim to the company is documented as well as possible (e.g. letter by registered mail, screenshots for online submissions, retention of the automatically generated incoming mail, etc.).

→ And don't forget: apf's service is always - regardless of the outcome of the proceedings - FREE [&] FREE OF CHARGE!