We had an OLD thread or two about this, six years old. IMO, we can have a thread dedicated to those who are in noisy places, in a rush, etc. to avoid phone prompt he77.
So, what are your tips and tricks? What works for you and which lines does it work with? Does repeating "agent" still bypass on the passenger service lines? Can we still punch in our numeric equivalents of AAdvantage number to bypass on automated systems (e.g. 1123459873 for AA2345 and PIN 9873?) (This thread is now linked to in the Unofficial Users' Guide; thanks!)
(Interjected: if you need to speak to an agent when the new system answers, merely say AGENT.)
I will add the NATO / phonetic alphabet pilots and air traffic control (and I) use to disambiguate voice prompts:
Alpha
Bravo
Charlie
Delta
Echo
Foxtrot
Golf
Hotel
India
Juliet
Kilo
Lima
Mike
November
Oscar
Papa
Quebec
Romeo
Sierra
Tango
Uniform
Victor
Whiskey
Xray
Yankee
Zulu
Numbers require emphasized diction to work (see 5 and 9 especially)
One
Two
Three
Four
Five (fife, or fa-eve)
Six
Seven
Eight
Niner (to disambiguate from five)
Zero
Programs: AA EXP 1.7MM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Traveler's Aid JFK Volunteer
Posts: 5,486
The easiest thing to do is simply punch in the numerical equivalent of your AAdvantage number and 4-digit PIN. No muss, no fuss.
The issue is that I'm not sure AA is issuing PINs anymore--they are a relic of the AAdvantage Dial-In days.
I also use the NATO phonetic alphabet from time to time. But punching it in works best.
Another word of advice: Do not call the regular AAdvantage line 800-882-8880, or you will have to deal with the new-fangled voice recognition system that I find tedious and virtually unusable in noisy environments. Instead, call your respective elite hotline.
Is there a way to shortcut the 'preamble' telling us about lower fares and the cost of not going to aa.com?
The key entering of my AA number plus my old PIN gets me transferred without a voice prompt in noisy situations; but I still have to listen to, and have never found a way around, the 'preamble'.
Is there a way to shortcut the 'preamble' telling us about lower fares and the cost of not going to aa.com?
The key entering of my AA number plus my old PIN gets me transferred without a voice prompt in noisy situations; but I still have to listen to, and have never found a way around, the 'preamble'.
On the EXP line I always just dial 2,4 as soon as the call is answered (this skips the preamble). I then say my advantage number as soon as I hear "whats your advantage number" and an agent picks up shortly afterward. Ive been doing that so long I forget what the 2 and 4 are for ... one of them is for international though.
Programs: AA EXP 1.7MM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Traveler's Aid JFK Volunteer
Posts: 5,486
Quote:
Originally Posted by muddy
On the EXP line I always just dial 2,4 as soon as the call is answered (this skips the preamble). I then say my advantage number as soon as I hear "whats your advantage number" and an agent picks up shortly afterward. Ive been doing that so long I forget what the 2 and 4 are for ... one of them is for international though.
That's only for the EXP desk. If you call the PLT or GLD numbers and press 2,4 you will hear a lovely 30-second discussion about telephone ticketing fees and the merits of AA.com and how you can save booking fees by booking there. (As if a GLD/PLT didn't know about AA.com!!!)
I've heard that even if a non-EXP calls the EXP number, he or she can bypass the preamble and then get routed to the correct type of AAgent. However, I don't want to encourage it because I don't want to clog the EXP phone system with non-EXP callers! (even if they seldom actually get routed to the EXP Desk)
The easiest thing to do is simply punch in the numerical equivalent of your AAdvantage number and 4-digit PIN.
In case some aren't aware of this ... you can avoid entering your AAdvantage number if you use the "know me" feature from a cell phone. https://www.aa.com/content/urls/callaa.jhtml
Programs: AA EXP 1.7MM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Traveler's Aid JFK Volunteer
Posts: 5,486
Quote:
Originally Posted by rrgg
In case some aren't aware of this ... you can avoid entering your AAdvantage number if you use the "know me" feature from a cell phone. https://www.aa.com/content/urls/callaa.jhtml
That system is awful! I remember when they put it on the PLT line and people complained so much that they removed it and put the old menu back!
Basically, AA designed the "know me" thing to force passengers do more stuff via automated systems (since AA is gradually downsizing the workforce of call center AAgents). "Know me" makes it significantly more complicated to reach a real person because you have to navigate the menus. You can't just press 2,4 or 0 and then speak or punch in your number and PIN.
I tried it a few times and it was simply infuriating. I am not a fan of voice recognition technology in the first place--I would ALWAYS rather punch in my number than deal with a computer's interpretation of my voice in a noisy environment.
When I call AA, 99% of the time I am looking to get connected with a live AAgent as quickly as possible. Luckily, the elite lines still make it possible, especially the EXP Desk.
Programs: AA EXP / .5MM, UA 1P, MR PLT, HHonors Diamond, Avist First, Hertz #1 GLD
Posts: 678
Can one still check in via phone?
I often find myself away from internet access at the 24-hour mark for OLCI--can this still be done by phone and will it be the same result as OLCI (e.g., for check in time associated with my PNR for standby and upgrade priority)?
TIA!
__________________
- Even a broken clock is right twice a day -
I often find myself away from internet access at the 24-hour mark for OLCI--can this still be done by phone and will it be the same result as OLCI (e.g., for check in time associated with my PNR for standby and upgrade priority)?
TIA!
If by phone you mean by using the web browser on your web-enabled mobile device, then yes. I do this all the time from my blackberry. If you mean check in by phone by talking to an automated system, no.
