North Texas woman fights for refund after airline assigns her economy class – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Linda Pouliot of Bedford and her sister booked a fun trip to Canada for their birthdays in the middle of last year. All plans were set. Pouliot contacted the airline days before her trip to confirm the booking. It was booked with United Airlines, but they would be flying Air Canada.

When the sisters arrived at the airport for their flight, they were told that neither of them had a seat – the airline's systems were out of sync. United was able to fit her on the flight in economy class. The business class seats originally booked were no longer available.

At the ticket counter she was told that she and her sister would be reimbursed for the difference in price between business and economy tickets. However, when she got home from the trip there was no sign of a refund.

After getting stuck with the airline, Pouliot contacted NBC 5 Responds for help and said it might be the only way to listen. We listened and after contacting United Airlines, Pouliot received her refund and more, totaling $800 in travel vouchers and cash.

A United Airlines statement said: “In this case, we made an exception to refund the difference for Ms. Pouliot's discounted ticket,” adding: “…provided travel certificates as a goodwill gesture.”

According to the Code of Federal Regulation, if a consumer is involuntarily downgraded to a lower class, he or she is entitled to a refund of the difference.

In the end, Pouliot gives advice to others: Don't give up on getting what you deserve.

NBC 5 Responds is committed to investigating your concerns and getting your money back. Our goal is to provide you with answers and, if possible, solutions and a solution. Call us at 844-5RESPND (844-573-7763) or fill out our customer complaint form.