BlondeBomber
Nov 7, 01, 3:38 pm
This is relevant to The Buzz as it means a loss of miles if we can't book by fare class.
It wasn't easy on Travelocity before but it was possible for simple itineraries. I just tried to book Calgary-Ottawa for end of November and selected the VLCANADA fare from the list of fares offered. It gave me the "blue selection" calendar just as I has in the past and I chose the appropriate dates from the calendar. I then chose flights that had V inventory at times I wanted. For some reason, it then priced it at a QLWCAN fare instead of the VLCANADA fare requested. In the past, it would have priced the VLCANADA and ticketed VLCANADA.
For only $43 less than the VLCANADA, the QLWCAN fare does not allow standby travel, is not upgradeable and, after January 1, will only be eligible for 35% of base points. On the other hand, the VLCANADA fare allows standby travel, can be upgraded at time of reservation and after January 1, will be eligible for 100% of base points.
This meant I had to go the Air Canada reservation system and talk to a real live agent. The lack of a fare class based booking system means Travelocity loses (I won't book with them if I can't guarantee my fare class) and Air Canada loses (more of their staff time employed to ticket me when I am quite willing to do it on the web).
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BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Gold Comparison Chart 2001 (http://members.shaw.ca/deercroft/starall01.html)
Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart (http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm)
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 11-07-2001).]
It wasn't easy on Travelocity before but it was possible for simple itineraries. I just tried to book Calgary-Ottawa for end of November and selected the VLCANADA fare from the list of fares offered. It gave me the "blue selection" calendar just as I has in the past and I chose the appropriate dates from the calendar. I then chose flights that had V inventory at times I wanted. For some reason, it then priced it at a QLWCAN fare instead of the VLCANADA fare requested. In the past, it would have priced the VLCANADA and ticketed VLCANADA.
For only $43 less than the VLCANADA, the QLWCAN fare does not allow standby travel, is not upgradeable and, after January 1, will only be eligible for 35% of base points. On the other hand, the VLCANADA fare allows standby travel, can be upgraded at time of reservation and after January 1, will be eligible for 100% of base points.
This meant I had to go the Air Canada reservation system and talk to a real live agent. The lack of a fare class based booking system means Travelocity loses (I won't book with them if I can't guarantee my fare class) and Air Canada loses (more of their staff time employed to ticket me when I am quite willing to do it on the web).
------------------
BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Gold Comparison Chart 2001 (http://members.shaw.ca/deercroft/starall01.html)
Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart (http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm)
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 11-07-2001).]