cancelled flights due to strike in Germany - Help?

[margol]

I was booked through united on lufthansa leaving tlv Monday morning 5:15 am - flying to chicago through FRA.  Unfortunately there is some strike happenning in Germany and my flights got cancelled.  United is being very strict with who i can rebook with.  I need to get back by Monday 9pm latest in chicago.  it was booked through amex with points so they are liaising with united...  i am looking into a flight tomorrow (Sunday) on swiss through zurich at 6pm - but it has a 12 hour overnight layover in Zurich...  anyone have any ideas how I could get united to book me on a non-partner airline - there is an El Al flight available to ORD connecting through FLL - but they would not allow it.  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!  Thanks in advance!

[ckmk47]

Can you ask for a refund due to the flight being cancelled.
And then book what you want?


Or is it too expensive now and that's why you need United to cover it?

[margol]

they will refund - but i've already flown the first leg, so the refund will be peanuts and the new flight will be min 1800

[moish145]

I was booked through united on lufthansa leaving tlv Monday morning 5:15 am - flying to chicago through FRA.  Unfortunately there is some strike happenning in Germany and my flights got cancelled.  United is being very strict with who i can rebook with.  I need to get back by Monday 9pm latest in chicago.  it was booked through amex with points so they are liaising with united...  i am looking into a flight tomorrow (Sunday) on swiss through zurich at 6pm - but it has a 12 hour overnight layover in Zurich...  anyone have any ideas how I could get united to book me on a non-partner airline - there is an El Al flight available to ORD connecting through FLL - but they would not allow it.  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!  Thanks in advance!

You could try HUCA to get them to do it but from what I understand it won't be easy and you don't have long.

Under EU law they have to reroute you 'at the earliest opportunity under similar conditions.' If you go and book the flight yourself it will be for you to prove they did not offer you a flight under similar conditions. An overnight stopover where you originally didn't have one would probably work. No guaratees though (Your claim is from Lufthansa and they are notorious for how they handle compensation claims) and you might have to give 20-30% to a lawyer.

Either way get a recording of the phone call and if you do take that flight you will be able to claim the price of the hotel from them. ZUH has a hotel past security so it's one of the best airports for an overnight..

[shmooz]

It's probably not going to happen to book you on elal, especially through a third party where you can't argue your case.
There is a star alliance flight available with two stops and short connection in Vienna, looks a little tight. Unfortunately your best bet might be the overnight.

[ad120]

You could try HUCA to get them to do it but from what I understand it won't be easy and you don't have long.

Under EU law they have to reroute you 'at the earliest opportunity under similar conditions.' If you go and book the flight yourself it will be for you to prove they did not offer you a flight under similar conditions. An overnight stopover where you originally didn't have one would probably work. No guaratees though (Your claim is from Lufthansa and they are notorious for how they handle compensation claims) and you might have to give 20-30% to a lawyer.

Either way get a recording of the phone call and if you do take that flight you will be able to claim the price of the hotel from them. ZUH has a hotel past security so it's one of the best airports for an overnight..

Not subject to EU laws as the orgin/destination is not Europe.

[moish145]

Not subject to EU laws as the orgin/destination is not Europe.

You're right I'm not up to date.
I see this changed a while ago.

[ad120]

I was booked through united on lufthansa leaving tlv Monday morning 5:15 am - flying to chicago through FRA.  Unfortunately there is some strike happenning in Germany and my flights got cancelled.  United is being very strict with who i can rebook with.  I need to get back by Monday 9pm latest in chicago.  it was booked through amex with points so they are liaising with united...  i am looking into a flight tomorrow (Sunday) on swiss through zurich at 6pm - but it has a 12 hour overnight layover in Zurich...  anyone have any ideas how I could get united to book me on a non-partner airline - there is an El Al flight available to ORD connecting through FLL - but they would not allow it.  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!  Thanks in advance!

United may rebook from alternate airports. Ask if you can fly from DXB, OTP, FCO or anywhere that you can self connect.

[Ploni3]

My son was booked via MUC on a United ticket and when he showed up at the airport they sent him on LY direct. So YMWV but it is possible for them to do it.

[Danlover111]

My son was booked via MUC on a United ticket and when he showed up at the airport they sent him on LY direct. So YMWV but it is possible for them to do it.

When was this?

[Ploni3]

Last night

[TzviR]

Last night

Wow nice!

[margol]

Just wanted to thank everyone for your responses!  In the end they "made an exception" and booked me through vienna direct to chicago with a very reasonable layover...  Vienna airport was crazy and I had to change terminals and walk down like 7 flights of stairs to get to the second terminal (i must have missed the elevator somewhere) but it worked out Boruch Hashem!