Avianca - online hell
Apr 13, 2015, 1:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Avianca - online hell
I'm not really looking for advice here. I think the best advice is to use a travel agency or online travel booking website when dealing with Avianca. But I just need to get my frustrations out.
The last few weeks I've made three bookings online at avianca.com and paid with my AmEx card. All three times, a few days after making the booking, the reservations were cancelled WITHOUT ANY INFORMATION to me. No phone call. No e-mail. The only way to find out was to keep checking the reservation in checkmytrip.net every few hours until getting a "4649" - "This trip cannot be found. It may have been cancelled".
They always blame it on payment issues. But my AmEx card is abslutely fine. I use it all the time and never have issued with other service providers. And after a few phone calls to different Avianca departments who blame another department, everything is fine and the ticket is issued.
I'm well travelled, and I book tickets online all the time. It's my preferred way. I NEVER have any problems doing this. Why is it so (insert bad word) difficult for Avianca to accept my credit card? And why don't they give a (insert other bad word) about informing a customer about the fact that his reservation has been cancelled?
What is wrong with them?!
The last few weeks I've made three bookings online at avianca.com and paid with my AmEx card. All three times, a few days after making the booking, the reservations were cancelled WITHOUT ANY INFORMATION to me. No phone call. No e-mail. The only way to find out was to keep checking the reservation in checkmytrip.net every few hours until getting a "4649" - "This trip cannot be found. It may have been cancelled".
They always blame it on payment issues. But my AmEx card is abslutely fine. I use it all the time and never have issued with other service providers. And after a few phone calls to different Avianca departments who blame another department, everything is fine and the ticket is issued.
I'm well travelled, and I book tickets online all the time. It's my preferred way. I NEVER have any problems doing this. Why is it so (insert bad word) difficult for Avianca to accept my credit card? And why don't they give a (insert other bad word) about informing a customer about the fact that his reservation has been cancelled?
What is wrong with them?!
Apr 26, 2015, 3:30 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
Well, some advice PERHAPS...so over the years their payment system has gotten better imo. I can now use my Canadian credit card with no issues, done it many times. I always buy via the "Colombian - Espanol" options as well.
So the other day I was trying to take advantage of a sale while I was in Puerto Rico. Didn't work. Thought MAYBE there's a problem with my IP, so I VPNed to a US IP. Still didn't work. My VPN doesn't provide a Canadian one, so I was stuck and with only hours left in the sale (not that I was saving a bundle, but it all counts) so I had to look for a solution.
Knowing Expedia and the likes probably would give me the Canadian price and not the Colombian sale price...I went to trusty ole Despegar.com, navigated to the Colombian site and got exactly what I wanted at the right price.
So it wasn't the same issue as yours, but I'd suggest trying a 3rd party OTA next time, see what happens. Either that or perhaps there's something on your Amex that won't allow a Colombian purchase? I assume you've called them to allow Colombian purchases, but if not I'd say try that.
So the other day I was trying to take advantage of a sale while I was in Puerto Rico. Didn't work. Thought MAYBE there's a problem with my IP, so I VPNed to a US IP. Still didn't work. My VPN doesn't provide a Canadian one, so I was stuck and with only hours left in the sale (not that I was saving a bundle, but it all counts) so I had to look for a solution.
Knowing Expedia and the likes probably would give me the Canadian price and not the Colombian sale price...I went to trusty ole Despegar.com, navigated to the Colombian site and got exactly what I wanted at the right price.
So it wasn't the same issue as yours, but I'd suggest trying a 3rd party OTA next time, see what happens. Either that or perhaps there's something on your Amex that won't allow a Colombian purchase? I assume you've called them to allow Colombian purchases, but if not I'd say try that.
Apr 26, 2015, 3:35 pm
#5
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,648
Despegar.com does work for Avianca flights at Colombia prices but they are a VERY shonky company. It would have to be a last resort before I would consider them.
I have no idea why Avianca has a problem with overseas credit cards but they often do. I have no problems paying with my Colombian Avianca card, but when paying with a UK card I have had to call them up and tell them to ticket me.
I don't know what the process is, I think they poke it through with a stick or something
I have no idea why Avianca has a problem with overseas credit cards but they often do. I have no problems paying with my Colombian Avianca card, but when paying with a UK card I have had to call them up and tell them to ticket me.
I don't know what the process is, I think they poke it through with a stick or something
Apr 26, 2015, 8:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: GIG
Programs: JJ OW Emerald, TK*G, O6*G, Smiles Diamond, IC Amb, Le Club Platinum, former LH SEN (miss it!)
Posts: 291
I've bought some tickets with Avianca already using my Brazilian AMEX. Only once I was able to have the sale properly processed by them.
The most common situation is that the website generates a PNR, but it simply does not finalize the sale. So I have to call Avianca and finish the purchase. Last time, I was connected to a guy that told me to be the responsible for the relationship between Avianca and American Express. It was a good conversation because I could give him many inputs about my previous experiences.
I never tried to buy another ticket since then, but my guess is that use the call center to pay with Amex tends to be less problematic...
The most common situation is that the website generates a PNR, but it simply does not finalize the sale. So I have to call Avianca and finish the purchase. Last time, I was connected to a guy that told me to be the responsible for the relationship between Avianca and American Express. It was a good conversation because I could give him many inputs about my previous experiences.
I never tried to buy another ticket since then, but my guess is that use the call center to pay with Amex tends to be less problematic...
Apr 27, 2015, 9:41 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
I had the problem back in the day with getting a PNR but not having it sold. I thought they fixed that, I've changed credit cards, but I've always had Canadian cards, in any case I don't have that problem anymore. I'm only buying domestic flights FWIW.
Johnny I always know if there's a post in this forum you'll be on it
I gotta ask though...shonky? That's a new one on me bud
Johnny I always know if there's a post in this forum you'll be on it
I gotta ask though...shonky? That's a new one on me bud
Apr 27, 2015, 5:35 pm
#8
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,648
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