when poorly coded systems defines policy
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: aeroplan
Posts: 88
when poorly coded systems defines policy
i booked a ticket on AC using a 20 off discount code they sent me. I went to cancel the ticket within 24 hours and rebook it, only to find out the discount coupon cannot be reused. I have been in the same situation with other NA airlines and this has never been an issue.
I have also seen that E75 meal voucher coupons have to be used during booking. You cannot stack coupons if you have a discount coupon AND a meal voucher coupon. In times like this, you would think the AC helpdesk would be able to override the system, but I've been told the system won't allow them to do it.
All of this looks to be related to a poorly coded system, which then become a 'Policy' and the customer gets the hit.
I've been a E50/ E75 for over 10 years continuously now and have decided to take my business elsewhere just for these reasons alone. I hope someone from AC is reading this!
I have also seen that E75 meal voucher coupons have to be used during booking. You cannot stack coupons if you have a discount coupon AND a meal voucher coupon. In times like this, you would think the AC helpdesk would be able to override the system, but I've been told the system won't allow them to do it.
All of this looks to be related to a poorly coded system, which then become a 'Policy' and the customer gets the hit.
I've been a E50/ E75 for over 10 years continuously now and have decided to take my business elsewhere just for these reasons alone. I hope someone from AC is reading this!
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE*2MM. SPG Plat life
Posts: 4,644
?? you don't understand 1x uses?
#4
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE*2MM. SPG Plat life
Posts: 4,644
I have also seen that E75 meal voucher coupons have to be used during booking. You cannot stack coupons if you have a discount coupon AND a meal voucher coupon. In times like this, you would think the AC helpdesk would be able to override the system, but I've been told the system won't allow them to do it.
#5
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,743
The OP's view (with which I tend to agree) is that since the flight was cancelled <24 hours from booking, it really hasn't been used. No savings have been achieved.
It would be common to not allow someone to stack multiple % off coupons to prevent people from abusing the system and throwing on lots of codes to get things for free or nearly so, for sure. But a meal voucher coupon and a % off coupon hardly seem like the kind of abuse that merchants are trying to prevent.
It would be common to not allow someone to stack multiple % off coupons to prevent people from abusing the system and throwing on lots of codes to get things for free or nearly so, for sure. But a meal voucher coupon and a % off coupon hardly seem like the kind of abuse that merchants are trying to prevent.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
#7
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE*2MM. SPG Plat life
Posts: 4,644
Go to the Bay or any other retailer, buy something with your discount coupon and return the item the next day. You don't get to use your discount coupon again. Why should airlines be different?
#9
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BKK/SIN/YYZ/YUL
Programs: DL, AC, Bonvoy, Accor, Hilton
Posts: 2,917
To the OP. Please contact Air Canada and ask for a reissue of the discount code. I believe that the airline will provide a new one as soon as the flight cancellation is processed.
#10
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
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Not an appropriate comparison. The "discounts" are provided for entirely different reasons. The coupon from the Bay is for promotional reasons. A discount code issued by Air Canada is for compensatory purposes. The failure of Air Canada to honour its discount code allows the airline to avoid providing the compensation it has agreed to. A coupon from the Bay is not issued for compensatory purposes.
#11
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE*2MM. SPG Plat life
Posts: 4,644
Not an appropriate comparison. The "discounts" are provided for entirely different reasons. The coupon from the Bay is for promotional reasons. A discount code issued by Air Canada is for compensatory purposes. The failure of Air Canada to honour its discount code allows the airline to avoid providing the compensation it has agreed to. A coupon from the Bay is not issued for compensatory purposes.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,797
With headless IT, whom can the programmers ask for a "policy?" You seriously think these AC managers who are supposed to interact with IBM (is there such a thing BTW? Doesn't IBM always know better?) really care about "arcane scenarios?" So the coder makes his own.
And the first employee who encounters the issue makes you go away by making the thing "policy."
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: Ice Cream Club, AC SE MM, Bonvoy Life Plat
Posts: 2,803
Raise fares to the point of only capturing inelastic demand. Fund the airline properly. Pay everyone accordingly (including IT). Fixed?
I use google maps to tell me how to walk, why wouldn't employees use computer to tell them how to talk? This is not a problem specific to this industry.
I use google maps to tell me how to walk, why wouldn't employees use computer to tell them how to talk? This is not a problem specific to this industry.
#14
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 2,646
With the single use discount codes, if you take the booking engine on the new website up until you enter credit card info, but don't make the purchase, I've had it use the code. Luckily I could call in and get a new code.