Rather than repeating the story, here's a copy of the e-mail complaint I've just sent to Saudi Airlines
Dear Sir or Madam,
BOOKING REF - XXXXXXXX
ALFURSAN MEMBER - XXXXXXXXX
MR XXXXXX
I made a London to Manila round trip booking with Saudi Airlines last July because of the price and short transit waits in Riyadh and Jeddah on the outbound and inbound journeys
I have just been informed that you have changed your schedules. The schedule change from London to Manila on April 8th is inconvenient as I now have to leave 3 and a half hours earlier and will get stuck in rush hour traffic around London, however I am prepared to accept that. However, the change from Manila to London on April 24th is unacceptable. This now means I will have to wait at Jeddah or Riyadh airport in transit for 18 hours instead of 6 hours.
To be told at this late stage is completely unsatisfactory, as it is too late for me to book with an alternative provider at a competitive rate, so I am now forced to accept these changes, and take these flights.
I booked these flights 9 months ago, and selected Saudi for many factors. Had I known you were going to change the schedule I would have booked with one of your rivals (Etihad, Emirates, Qatar or KLM) who were all similarly priced at the time of booking and with whom I have never experienced any problems.
As I have no choice and have to accept these changes at this late stage I would like to know what you are prepared to offer me by way of compensation. As I'm sure you will appreciate, and 18 hours wait in between two 9 hour flights will put enormous strain on my mind and body and I will not be able to properly rest or wash in private, therefore I am suggesting you offer me the following:
One nights hotel accomodation at a 5 star transit hotel in Jeddah (Plus taxi transfers and meal vouchers)
Arrangements for a transit visa in Saudi Arabia
A Pass to your executive lounge at Jeddah and Riyadh airports for both my inbound and outbound journeys.
Un upgrade to Business or First Class on both legs of my return journey to London (and my outbound journey from London).
I will also add that I am a frequent traveller to Asia (3 or 4 trips every year) and have another booking with Saudi in December 2011, I expect you to offer some form of compensation in order to keep my future business. I am also a very active member of lots of travel forums, I will of course be advising many hundreds of thousands of travellers about my experience with Saudi Airlines, I would like to report that you were able to resolve this situation satisfactorily.
As a frequent traveller I am also aware that all of the above requests can be catered for, therefore I will not accept an answer of NO.
As my flight is due to depart in less than 2 weeks and I need to make alternative arrangements, I would be grateful if you could respond within 24 hours.
My e-mail address is XXXXXX
Telephone: 0044 7XXXXXXXXXX
Originally Posted by Dedworth
I wouldn't have a problem going with Qatar, Eitihad or Emirates but a mate of mine is a BA Aircraft Engineer working on turning around 3rd party planes and he reckons Saudi aren't amongst the better maintained - strictly his opinion of course
I think you're well within your rights to get a refund or a nice hotel for the night.
I've managed to get one extra day and night in Manila as the flight times with Cathay are shorter.
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