Screwed over on our flight!

Background:we are flying to Grand Cayman on Cayman Airways in February. I found out by checking my itinerary today that they changed our flights... sound ok, well it's not. Here is the letter I wrote to Customer Service at CA's. What do you think I should expect in return from them??? Cause I DO expect compensation!!

Ms. M.,

On March 31, 2007 I purchased, over the telephone, round trip, direct flight tickets from JFK to GCM on 2/14/08-2/23/08 for my family. My mother also purchased 4 tickets for herself and 3 others for the same period of time. The confirmation codes for our flights are:XXXXXXXX

Approximately a month ago I received a phone call regarding a time change for our return flight. The time initally was a 4:30pm departure and it had been changed to 5:30pm departure.

I received another phone call yesterday afternoon regarding our return flight. The agent told me that there had been a schedule change for our flight. She sounded confused then put me on hold. She did not tell me what the real problem was however when she returned to the phone she told me to disregard the phone call. That the flight was no longer in the system but they were going to put it back and not to worry about anything.

Today, July 28th, I go online and check my itinerary for our flight out to make sure that we still have a return flight from Grand Cayman on the 23rd. Our departure was perfect, like it always had been. Our return on the other hand was not. We were scheduled to return on the 23rd at 5:30, direct flight from GCM to JFK. The status on that flight had gone from "Confirmed" to "Unconfirmed" and below that flight information was another flight (which I never booked or inquired about) from GCM to Miami leaving at 6pm with its status "confirmed". So without my knoweldge we were removed from our original direct flight on the 23rd and placed on a flight to Miami with no way of knowing how we are to get back to JFK.

I call Cayman Airways to see what the real problem is. According to the agent I spoke with we were bumped off the direct flight on the 23rd. Something about a computer glitch and people booking on the internet being able to take our seats. The agent then offered to find a connection flight from Miami to NY. Traveling with 3 small children that will not work for us. Then she offered to book us on a direct flight on the 24th which I accepted. Now while it is nice to stay in Cayman for an extra day, there is the fact that we had reservations for a condos and cars through the 23rd. Now we have to pay for an extra day for both of these.

I would like to know why we were removed from our original flight and what kind of compensation we can expect to receive for our inconvenience.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter,

Message edited 7/28/2007 9:42:29 PM.

Re: Screwed over on our flight!

What kind of compensation are you looking for?

I wouldn't get my hopes up about getting reimbursed for hotel or car rental expenses b/c you chose to stay the extra day. They were going to work with you so you could still get you home on your original day of travel, I presume at no additional cost?

I doubt I'd be looking to fly them again so vouchers wouldn't interest me. I ask about free upgrades to first/business or something like that instead.

Since they took you off your original flight, you may be able to get a full refund and book a direct flight with a different airline.

Good luck!

Message edited 7/29/2007 12:03:49 AM.

Re: Screwed over on our flight!

Re: Screwed over on our flight!

We got really messed up when we flew on a local carribean air line as well.

Its funny now - but it was ridiculous at the time.

The cancelled our flight and left us stranded in the "airport" They offered no compensation, no explanation, and they didn't even say they were sorry we lost a day of our vacation. They acted like they were doing us the favor. Once you are off US soil, don't expect US service.

I would never fly Liat again. But we do have a great story and some crazy pictures from the trip.