This has happened several times now in the last few months so it's partly a rant but am curious what I can do about it, if anything
* I dial the EXP 800#
* recording: 'thank you for calling the EXP.....to assist you better please speak your AA#'
* I speak: #T##### (enunciating the "T" as clearly as I can)
* then I get an agent who (usually) says "how can I help you Mr. C######"
* me: I'm not Mr. C####### I'm Dan CVO 1K
* apparently Mr. C####### is not EXP because I'm not at the EXP desk so they end up transferring me
* Mr. T has the exact same AA# as I do expect he has a "P" where I have a "T" and no matter how hard I say "T" the IVR translates it into a "P"
* I hope he's a nice guy because he could easily (??) masquerade as me since he could figure out my AA# the same way I've figured out his
Ideas? Comments?
Programs: AA EXP 1.8MM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Traveler's Aid JFK Volunteer
Posts: 5,525
Use the NATO phonetic alphabet instead of the letters:
A Alpha
B Bravo
C Charlie
D Delta
E Echo
F Foxtrot
G Golf
H Hotel
I India
J Juliet
K Kilo
L Lima
M Mike
N November
O Oscar
P Papa
Q Quebec
R Romeo
S Sierra
T Tango
U Uniform
V Victor
W Whiskey
X X-ray
Y Yankee
Z Zulu
So, if your AAdvantage number were FJ384RO, you would say "Foxtrot Juliet Three Eight Four Romeo Oscar."
Also, I find that the phonetic alphabet is a good thing to memorize because it makes it much easier when an AAgent asks you for a record locator over the phone. (And it often impresses the AAgents!)
Also, you could use the "Remember Me" feature so that when you call from your cell phone, the system automatially associates the call with your AAdvantage number and welcomes you (by name, if you wish).
You can also enter your AAdvantage number from the telephone keypad, using the standard numerical equivalents for the letters, followed by your PIN. How you get a PIN now if you didn't have one before they switched to passwords on aa.com is another question, which I can't answer, but I think there's a way to do it.
Programs: AA EXP 1.8MM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Traveler's Aid JFK Volunteer
Posts: 5,525
Quote:
Originally Posted by Efrem
You can also enter your AAdvantage number from the telephone keypad, using the standard numerical equivalents for the letters, followed by your PIN. How you get a PIN now if you didn't have one before they switched to passwords on aa.com is another question, which I can't answer, but I think there's a way to do it.
I don't think that works with the EXP line anymore...
Also, I don't think you can get a PIN anymore. Many of us have them from the days of AAdvantage-DiAAl-In, but I imagine that system has gone away with the IVR.
Works like a charm - the system definitely distinguishes between a "Papa" and a "Tango." Our years in military service count for something in civilian life...
Quote:
Originally Posted by CVO 1K 2 Million
Great idea!
I didn't realize the IVR could recognize that.!!!!
I'm very familiar with it...8 years in the navy...and typically use it to give a record locater to the human agents...
__________________ Lend a hand up with Kiva; far more than a hand out.
I have had some troubles with the VR system understanding me, but I really think most "conversations" with it feel as if they go something like this:
Me: "Upgrade my flight"
System: "I think you said, 'lose my bags,' is that right?"
Me: "No"
System: "Great. I'll send your bags to Bogota. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Me: "Agent"
System: "I'm having trouble understanding you."
Me: "AGENT"
System: "I think you said you need a vacation. I'll transfer you to AA Vacations."
Me: "AGENT!!!!"
System: "Hmm. I think you said, 'Donate.' I'll go ahead and donate all your miles to chAArity."
Me: "ARRRRGH!"
System: "Yes, Gerard AArpey is a great CEO. Thank you for calling American Airlines. A $20 automated telephone system fee is being charged to your primary credit card. Good Bye!"
Programs: AA EXP 1.8MM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Traveler's Aid JFK Volunteer
Posts: 5,525
I haven't laughed out loud from an FT post in a while. Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ACBLtd
I have had some troubles with the VR system understanding me, but I really think most "conversations" with it feel as if they go something like this:
Me: "Upgrade my flight"
System: "I think you said, 'lose my bags,' is that right?"
Me: "No"
System: "Great. I'll send your bags to Bogota. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Me: "Agent"
System: "I'm having trouble understanding you."
Me: "AGENT"
System: "I think you said you need a vacation. I'll transfer you to AA Vacations."
Me: "AGENT!!!!"
System: "Hmm. I think you said, 'Donate.' I'll go ahead and donate all your miles to chAArity."
Me: "ARRRRGH!"
System: "Yes, Gerard AArpey is a great CEO. Thank you for calling American Airlines. A $20 automated telephone system fee is being charged to your primary credit card. Good Bye!"
You must have called from Boston; getting schrod is very popular there...
VERY funny! You have it down to the cheery phrasing used by the autodummy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ACBLtd
I have had some troubles with the VR system understanding me, but I really think most "conversations" with it feel as if they go something like this:
Me: "Upgrade my flight"
System: "I think you said, 'lose my bags,' is that right?"
Me: "No"
System: "Great. I'll send your bags to Bogota. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Me: "Agent"
System: "I'm having trouble understanding you."
Me: "AGENT"
System: "I think you said you need a vacation. I'll transfer you to AA Vacations."
Me: "AGENT!!!!"
System: "Hmm. I think you said, 'Donate.' I'll go ahead and donate all your miles to chAArity."
Me: "ARRRRGH!"
System: "Yes, Gerard AArpey is a great CEO. Thank you for calling American Airlines. A $20 automated telephone system fee is being charged to your primary credit card. Good Bye!"
__________________ Lend a hand up with Kiva; far more than a hand out.
I have had some troubles with the VR system understanding me, but I really think most "conversations" with it feel as if they go something like this:
Me: "Upgrade my flight"
System: "I think you said, 'lose my bags,' is that right?"
Me: "No"
System: "Great. I'll send your bags to Bogota. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Me: "Agent"
System: "I'm having trouble understanding you."
Me: "AGENT"
System: "I think you said you need a vacation. I'll transfer you to AA Vacations."
Me: "AGENT!!!!"
System: "Hmm. I think you said, 'Donate.' I'll go ahead and donate all your miles to chAArity."
Me: "ARRRRGH!"
System: "Yes, Gerard AArpey is a great CEO. Thank you for calling American Airlines. A $20 automated telephone system fee is being charged to your primary credit card. Good Bye!"
LOL!!!! Very very good. Been there plenty of times. I just repeat agent agent agent agent agent agent agent ad-infinitum until the AI collapses and puts me through. Doesnt take too long.
LOL!!!! Very very good. Been there plenty of times. I just repeat agent agent agent agent agent agent agent ad-infinitum until the AI collapses and puts me through. Doesnt take too long.
What the VR system should say...
