OZ pre-emptively kicking redemption tickets?
May 26, 2016, 9:59 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 6
OZ pre-emptively kicking redemption tickets?
I booked a GMP-KIX-GMP business-class redemption fare for travel this week. Now when I try to check in for the return flight it says something along the lines of "failed to check-in, seats are fully allocated" and it shows my seat as "standby". Standby??????
Curious, I tried to book a paid J ticket on the same segment and it lets me saying "1 seat" under the available seats column.
This is somewhat disconcerting - that they are refusing my check-in when I'm ticketed, yet still prepared to sell a seat on that flight/class.
If this is how they treat redemption fares then I'll have second thoughts about using them in this way...
I never usually book redemption fares (first time in the last couple of years), but my miles are growing faster than I can spend them - added 300k+ on OZ in the last 12 months.
Anyone else familiar with this practice? How else can you use OZ miles?
UA is crap. Might have to lean towards Krisflyer once again.
Curious, I tried to book a paid J ticket on the same segment and it lets me saying "1 seat" under the available seats column.
This is somewhat disconcerting - that they are refusing my check-in when I'm ticketed, yet still prepared to sell a seat on that flight/class.
If this is how they treat redemption fares then I'll have second thoughts about using them in this way...
I never usually book redemption fares (first time in the last couple of years), but my miles are growing faster than I can spend them - added 300k+ on OZ in the last 12 months.
Anyone else familiar with this practice? How else can you use OZ miles?
UA is crap. Might have to lean towards Krisflyer once again.
May 26, 2016, 6:01 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 6
Did you call them and ask?
I have had them refuse to change a flight (saying my new date is absolutely fully booked at any fare when I can clearly see online seats available), and then I actually go ahead and book the desired flight at a lower fare and move the original flight out to some future date. Obviously that isn't practical here.
that's odd. when did you book it and did you actually get an email with confirmation for your award travel?
May 27, 2016, 4:29 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 6
UPDATE - resolved
Called OZ Japan office earlier today; they removed the block on the unsold seat and I was able to check in. 1F was the last seat.
Curious about others' similar experience though. I can understand being bumped by last-minute problems and redemption being one of the first to sacrifice, but I would not think they would prohibit check-in to hold a spare seat for others to purchase.
Curious about others' similar experience though. I can understand being bumped by last-minute problems and redemption being one of the first to sacrifice, but I would not think they would prohibit check-in to hold a spare seat for others to purchase.
May 27, 2016, 7:14 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 958
i think it has to do more with that they have no seat to assign to you?
Like one of those SEAT REQUEST boarding passes from Delta and others.
You'd still be confirmed - but their system may not allow check-in online without an assigned seat. That would be my guess.
Like one of those SEAT REQUEST boarding passes from Delta and others.
You'd still be confirmed - but their system may not allow check-in online without an assigned seat. That would be my guess.
May 28, 2016, 12:48 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 6
The odd thing about that last flight was that reservations was still showing 1 seat for sale. I'm guessing they always keep a J seat blocked for full fare revenue tickets - so if the cabin is full (it's only 12 seats on the A321) then you need to get seat assigned at the gate.
Nevertheless, they released that hold after I called and I was able to check in online.