 Aircanada changed my flight times - can I get compensation?
Hi! Hopefully this is the right place to post this.
I booked a flight with Aircanada to fly me from Canada to Heathrow, for the end of this month. I booked the flight back in November 2006.
This week they tell me the flight is cancelled and they have re-booked be on an alternative route. The problem is, it's a much longer flight and means I have to take extra time off work (I work in Canada). The only other 'sensible' route is a full day and a half earlier. Which means I miss more time off work. I've spoken to them on the phone, but they can't offer me a route which doesn't take more than twice as long as my original flight schedule.
Further, this flight gets me into Heathrow late at night - so I cannot complete my journey as there are no trains running. Which would mean I'd need to stay in a hotel - something I wasn't planning to do!
I can't even leave later (and reduce my missed time at work), as I would go over my visa and become an illegal immigrant here!
I bought the ticket in the UK using my credit card. I don't have travel insurance for this trip, as my annual insurance only covers 90 days - and I've been out the country a lot more than that on this trip.
So anyway, does anyone know what rights I have? Can I claim for the hotel (at a minimum!)? Oh, and there are no other carriers flying comparable routes either - I'm in Newfoundland, on the edge of nowhere).
Highly frustrating, I'm sure you'd agree. All advice welcomed! | 
