Road Scholar demotes traveler from business to economy class

Travel Troubleshooter Helps Passenger Get Refund After Flight Downgrade

Maureen Kelleher from Simsbury, Connecticut, recently experienced a travel nightmare on her way back from a Road Scholar trip to Egypt. British Airways canceled her business class flight just four hours before departure and rebooked her on Egyptair in an economy class seat at the back of the plane.

Despite paying $3,000 for a business class ticket, Maureen was left in a cramped economy seat with no refund for the fare difference. Both Road Scholar and British Airways initially refused to provide a refund, leaving Maureen frustrated and seeking help.

Enter Christopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter, who stepped in to assist Maureen in getting the refund she rightfully deserved. By citing British Airways’ general conditions of carriage and Department of Transportation rules, Elliott argued that Maureen was entitled to a refund for the downgrade in service.

After months of back-and-forth with Road Scholar, Elliott’s advocacy team successfully intervened, prompting the tour operator to issue Maureen a refund. A representative from Road Scholar acknowledged the oversight and attributed the delay to the issue being routed to the wrong department.

Maureen’s case serves as a reminder to travelers to know their rights and advocate for themselves when faced with unexpected flight disruptions. With the help of consumer advocates like Christopher Elliott, passengers can navigate the complexities of airline policies and secure the compensation they deserve.