No online checkin for "flights" from ZFV? It *used* to work...

**xyzzy** · Oct 25, 03, 2:31 pm

When I try to check in online for a trip that starts ZFV->EWR (ZFV is Philadelphia 30th St. station and this first segment is a codeshared Amtrak trip) I get this message:

Quote:

! The Departure City/Airport entered does not match the Departure City/Airport in the itinerary.

I've been able to check in online for such itineraries before. Have others had this problem?

I've tried using each of these in the departure city/airport field, all with the same results: Newark, Philadelphia, EWR, PHL

[This message has been edited by xyzzy (edited 10-25-2003).]

Weatherboy · Oct 25, 03, 3:50 pm

Quote:

Originally posted by xyzzy:
I've tried using each of these in the departure city/airport field, all with the same results: Newark, Philadelphia, EWR, PHL
[This message has been edited by xyzzy (edited 10-25-2003).][/b]

The last time I tried, when I used online check-in by last name I did it by EWR and OnePass # ...and it worked ok, including checking me in and issuing the boarding pass for the ZFV-EWR segment. Maybe CO finally closed up the ZFV loophole...

brooklynflyer · Oct 25, 03, 4:10 pm

I believe that one poster had reported a while back that he/she had problems checking in online until after the scheduled departure of the train segment. Maybe that's the problem in your case. CO's software has way too many kinks in it for you to assume the worst.

Also, to raise a question that still has not gotten an answer:

Can you print out your Amtrak tickets at a city other than the one from you are supposed to depart (ie print tickets for ZFV-EWR at New York Penn)?

**xyzzy** · Oct 25, 03, 9:45 pm

Interestingly, if I put in ZFV as the departure point I get this error message:

Quote:

! Could not find an airport for zfv. Please enter a new city, airport or airport code.

yet last time I checked in online for a ZFV originating trip I'm almost positive I used the EWR code and that I ZFV->EWR boarding passes printed with the notation that I needed to check in at the ZFV kiosk!

brooklynflyer · Oct 29, 03, 12:26 pm

xyzzy,

Any difficulties to report in the end?

Thanks,
Brooklynflyer

fly co to see the yanks · Oct 31, 03, 2:18 pm

use EWR as the check-in point along with the record locator. it works....

**xyzzy** · Nov 4, 03, 8:06 am

Quote:

Originally posted by fly co to see the yanks:
use EWR as the check-in point along with the record locator. it works....

Not any more. I tried that.

As for difficulties, neither of my ZFV segments posted and some of the others seemed to take more time than usual. Of course ZFV doesn't work as an airport in the CO.com form for requesting credit for missing segments. This, despite the fact that entering "Philadelphia" in the box forces you to choose between PHL and ZFV!

I recall that in the past ZFV->EWR segments posted at the same time as the CO air flights. Perhaps that has changed?

[This message has been edited by xyzzy (edited 11-04-2003).]

brooklynflyer · Nov 25, 03, 8:33 am

Just wanted to share the contents of an email that I received from CO regarding my upcoming "flight" on Amtrak. I think it may answer some of the questions that some of us have had. By the way, the email had the ominious sounding subject line "Continental Airlines-Operational Notification."

Amtrak CodeShare Travel Reminders

- Photo identification is required for all passengers
- Train travel will require check-in at the rail station using Amtrak’s self serve Quik-Trak equipment
- Quik-Trak check-in services require a credit card or personal identification card that incorporates a magnetic strip on the back
- Customers that do not possess a credit card or have a travel agent issued paper ticket should see an Amtrak customer service representative for assistance
- Baggage may not be checked on Amtrak codeshare trains. Be certain to remain in control of you belongings throughout the duration of your train trip
- Amtrak tickets are only available for check-in on day of departure
- Amtrak transportation changes must be made through Continental Airlines at 800-525-0280 for domestic travel or 800-231-0856 for international travel
- Check-in one hour prior to scheduled departure for domestic flights and all Amtrak operated train segments and two hours prior to scheduled departure for international flights

[This message has been edited by brooklynflyer (edited Nov 25, 2003).]

**xyzzy** · Nov 25, 03, 8:39 am

I don't think any of that is new, is it?

brooklynflyer · Nov 25, 03, 10:03 am

Quote:

Originally posted by xyzzy:
I don't think any of that is new, is it?

I think that there had been some question as to when you could pull your Amtrak tickets. The instructions clearly say that you can't do it before the day of departure. The other thing that was not clear to me was whether you could use the machines or whether you had to see a human being in order to get your tickets. The rest is definitely not new.

**xyzzy** · Nov 25, 03, 10:33 am

I've always just used a CC to get my tix from the machine. No human intervetion whatsoever.

brooklynflyer · Nov 25, 03, 12:40 pm

Quote:

Originally posted by xyzzy:
I've always just used a CC to get my tix from the machine. No human intervetion whatsoever.

Have you had any luck pulling them from a station other than the one from which you were supposed to depart?

**xyzzy** · Nov 25, 03, 1:34 pm

I haven't tried that.

PrivatePilot · Apr 1, 04, 8:07 pm

Any recent experiences with this "loophole"? I am planning on trying it soon.

izzik · Apr 1, 04, 10:32 pm

I actually spoke with someone on the phone about this today (sorta). I'm pretty sure the loophole generally works (ie, ZFV-originating tix can be used for EWR-originating people). That is, you still need to print out separate tix at separate places for Amtrak and CO [what the agent said]. I've only tried it once and I played it safe - checking in with CO on the day of departure with those kiosks at Penn Station (after my train had "departed" for EWR). The agent mentioned that I could check in online for the EWR-xxx stuff.. just not the Amtrak segment.

Great fares out of Philly make this worthwhile.