Possible reimbursement for missed connection due to gate change
I was traveling from Chicago (ORD) to Mumbai (BOM) with a connection at Frankfurt (FRA). The layover was a little less than 4 hours at FRA. I had a boarding pass with no gate assigned (this is quite usual). Now, when I arrived at FRA an airline staff directed me towards gate B20. I arrived at my gate around 3 hrs before my departure and waited for boarding to start. There were three other passengers going to the same destination waiting along with me. Supposedly during our waiting, the gate was changed from B20 to B26. By the time we realized, we had missed the flight.
Other points:
We had been checking the monitors for gate information all the while but there was absolutely NONE.
The four of us had much time to spare for our connecting flights and were directed to gate B20. Those passengers who arrived closer to the flight departure were possibly directed to gate B26.
Supposedly, our names were called 10 mins prior to departure. We didn't hear anything. Whether the announcement was made at gate B26 or throughout the terminal is not known - the former would mean we couldn't have possibly heard.
We each had to pay 150 euros for this change of gate confusion and to be put on the next flight which was 24 hrs later. We were refused to be accommodated in a hotel and had to stay at the airport (in any case I didn't have a Schengen Visa).
If I understand correctly, in the case of a change of gate, it's the airline/airports responsibility to make sure the passengers are made aware about the change. The only effort made to contact the passengers was made at the last minute through the speakers? Nothing on monitors. No personnel at B20 making an announcement. The airline would know that there were four passengers who are on the terminal but who are somehow not boarding, still our names were called only once? (I know this because I was shown the records on a computer screen). What about emailing passengers about gate changes? It seems to me that these are some of the system inefficiencies.
I am wondering if I/we have much of a case to ask for a reimbursement of the 150 euros? Most of the things cannot be proved. Or how I could possibly make my case stronger.
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Can you claim compensation for a missed connection?
If a flight delay leads to a passenger missing a connecting flight, and the delay at the final destination is 3 hours or more than 3 hours, they have a valid claim for compensation.What am I entitled to if I miss my connecting flight?
If you missed your connecting flight due to a short layover, the airline will book you on the next flight free of charge as long as the connecting flight is part of the same ticket.What to do if connecting flight is rescheduled?
In case of delay or cancellation of the connecting flight at the point of origin which leads to the possibility of a missed connection at the point of transit, the passenger shall have right to choose a refund, or a credit for future travel on IndiGo, or re-booking onto an alternative IndiGo flight at no additional ...What happens if you miss a connection because of a delay?
If the missed connection is the airline's fault (a delayed initial flight due to mechanical problems, for example), the airline should rebook you on the next available flight. If the next outbound flight is the following morning, the airline should either book you on another airline or provide accommodations and meals.HOW TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOR FLIGHT DELAYS| AIRHELP
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