Comped Room from Alitalia
 

Hello. I have a forced overnight layover in Rome in December. The flight to Rome is on Alitalia and the flight from Rome to NYC is Delta. Delta told me it's against their policy to provide free rooms. Are there any secrets (aside from just calling customer service) to getting a comped room from Alitalia?

Thanks!

Often if you book a first-class or business-class ticket you can get a free hotel room, at least with other airlines. Otherwise, if you are flying coach, why wouldn't you just consider the total price before purchasing that option?

Hi une,

Is this forced layover due to the airline changing their schedule?

My flight is business class but I purchased it using Skymiles via Delta. Also, the flight I am taking from Albania to Europe does not have different classes. No change in schedule, just no flights that can get me to Rome and out of Rome on the same day. I've taken a similar route but through Austria(n) and they comped my stay.

Any other ideas?

If I were running an airline, I might comp your stay for good customer relations. Call Alitalia.

I thought Albania was in Europe.

Thanks, ira. Yes, Albania is in Europe. That's what I get for not proofreading my message. :)

We had no problems with Alitalia putting us up for the night when we flew business class Vienna to Rome and then Rome to Chicago. The flight from Vienna came in too late to catch the Rome to Chicago flight. We didn't even discuss it with them, it seemed to be standard procedure. They even gave us a choice of hotels and also provided roundtrip transportation from the airport into Rome. Maybe it has to do with a skymiles ticket? Ask them under what conditions they provide a hotel.

Neither Alitalia nor Delta will likely comp you a hotel night on an award ticket. You understood that there was no same day connection possible when you ticketed your reservation right? If so, then you accepted those terms and aren't entitled to a free room. Unless it was a change in the flight schedule that caused the forced overnight, I don't see how the airline is responsible for your hotel room.

I'm in the same situation where I have a forced overnight in AMS on an award ticket redeemed through Delta Skymiles. I knew I'd have to overnight when I made the reservation, and I don't expect the airline to pay for my hotel at AMS.

Marija,
I think your situation is completely different. You missed your connection as a result of a flight delay. The OP knows going in that there is no same day connection possible.

I had to force an overnight in London a few months ago in order to use a Skymiles award ticket from Paris to Atlanta on my way home. I also had to change airports in London!

I did not expect DL to help defray my costs. This was my choice after all and was not forced upon me.

It's simple - Nobody is comping any rooms in this situation.

This ONLY happens whn one flies on a full fare First Class ticket and then only with some airlines.

Our flight was not delayed, it was scheduled to arrive too late to make the connection to the Rome to Chicago flight. Alitalia wanted our business for the entire trip and offered to put us up. I have no idea if that's still the case.

Thanks for the input everyone. I understand that chances are slim for a comped room since this is a free trip. However, I do have to disagree with AAFrequentFlyer since I have flown this trip before through Austria with Austrian Air and they comped my room on a coach ticket.

Two different airlines; not a delay built in as part of the schedule of one airline. I can't imagine why either airline would provide a comp room. But good luck anyway. It doesn't cost anything but a little time to try.