AMEX Delta Companion certificate Consolidated Thread
#31
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,621
AmEx Plat
I have a Platinum Delta Skymiles with AMEX card that "gives" a companion certificate annually as a benefit. This year I wanted to use that companion certificate to take my family out to Colorado to go skiing in February. I checked Delta on-line to purchase 4 tickets using FF skymiles and then tried to book 2 more tickets using the companion certificate. When I attempted to book the ticket I was told that the flight was not available in the Fare class requested. However, when I tried to book the ticket and "pay with miles" using the AMEX card and FF miles the flight was available. I checked the terms and conditions of the certificate and it states that all travel must be in the U or L class of service - which this ticket was doing. Well, an unwritten stipulation is that all legs of the trip must be in the U or L class of service even though the terms and conditions of the certificate do not state this. Moral of the story is this - don't buy the AMEX Delta skymiles card if you think you'll be able to use the companion certificate as a benefit. To make matters worse - I called Delta to file a complaint and they told me it was due to AMEX terms. So, I called and emailed AMEX - they in turn told me the certificate was the property of Delta. So much for companies being accountable for the products they sell. Once I use all my FF miles with Delta I will move my business to AmericanAirlines and never fly Delta again. I will also tear up my AMEX! Shame on you AMEX and Delta!!!
#32
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: ATL - DL DM/3MM - HH Lifetime Diamond - Marriott Lifetime Plat
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#33
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SRQ/TPA
Programs: Delta Skymiles, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 914
It appears to be a flaw in the recent change to the companion upgrade being allowed on LUT fares, but I'm not complaining
#34
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If anyone missed it, I believe what the OP is refering to is that the booking system requires that segments be in the same fare class. So, all segments of your outgoing trip has to be in L for example... they can't be mixed T + L. It allows the outgoing and return portions to be different as long as the connecting segments for the respective travel day are the same.
Now, the issue I've had is this can cause some strange problem when trying to book with the reserve first class companion cert. That one allows you to book in A... however if one of the segments is on a RJ with no F cabin then it appears to only work if there is L available on that flight.
Now, the issue I've had is this can cause some strange problem when trying to book with the reserve first class companion cert. That one allows you to book in A... however if one of the segments is on a RJ with no F cabin then it appears to only work if there is L available on that flight.
#35
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 851
and no phone agents need be involved. the process can be completed entirely on delta.com
If anyone missed it, I believe what the OP is refering to is that the booking system requires that segments be in the same fare class. So, all segments of your outgoing trip has to be in L for example... they can't be mixed T + L. It allows the outgoing and return portions to be different as long as the connecting segments for the respective travel day are the same.
#36
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Maybe they changed something since then. Last year the online system wasn't really working fully correctly either, and call agents would help with a lot of the bookings. This year when I came across the issue, I escelated it up and was told that the segments have to match... ie no 'broken' fares for an outbound or return. Supposedly the online booking system won't return results unless the segments are the same now.
#37
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX, BHM, ATL, MEM, BNA
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Posts: 125
Maybe they changed something since then. Last year the online system wasn't really working fully correctly either, and call agents would help with a lot of the bookings. This year when I came across the issue, I escelated it up and was told that the segments have to match... ie no 'broken' fares for an outbound or return. Supposedly the online booking system won't return results unless the segments are the same now.
#38
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I think the term is "married segments" for AAA-BBB-CCC travel: the O/D trip (AAA-CCC) has to be available in a single inventory (L/U/T)
#39
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Enn Why Cee
Programs: DL, CO, LH, BA etc...
Posts: 1,570
I would suggest the system is working "as designed" ... which, in terms of customer satisfaction, may or may not be the same as "correctly"
I think the term is "married segments" for AAA-BBB-CCC travel: the O/D trip (AAA-CCC) has to be available in a single inventory (L/U/T)
I think the term is "married segments" for AAA-BBB-CCC travel: the O/D trip (AAA-CCC) has to be available in a single inventory (L/U/T)
JFK-PHX - booked in U; PHX-ATL-JFK - in L. The checkin agent was able to do a co-terminal change and fly me into LGA, which made for a much more pleasant arrival time and a shorter commute home
#40
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Enn Why Cee
Programs: DL, CO, LH, BA etc...
Posts: 1,570
I was showing as "upgrade requested" before the switchover, but this disappeared with the new page design.
On OLCI and kiosk check-in, I was presented the option to request an upgrade, but I was never placed on the GIDS upgrade list. Scanning the BP at the 'missed your flight' machines showed a F standby though, for both me and the companion (GM)
Looks like the tap on the companion upgrades has been closed for good this time or at least until it is introduced as an enhancement.
#41
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
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I think its absolutely reasonable to expect that an amex companion who is also a medallion member should be eligible for an upgrade. I hope that functionality still works, since it should be covered under the award ticket upgrade benefit that started a few months ago.
#42
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Enn Why Cee
Programs: DL, CO, LH, BA etc...
Posts: 1,570
I agree, but it looks like it's off-limits- either just in my case or for the time being
I will whine to DL - I should at least have _a shot_ at an upgrade
p.s. ticket and gate agents were trying - to no avail though...
I will whine to DL - I should at least have _a shot_ at an upgrade
p.s. ticket and gate agents were trying - to no avail though...
Last edited by goodandclassy; Dec 6, 2010 at 8:08 pm
#43
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I believe this is the problem that the OP was trying to explain (though not clearly). Let's say you are trying to book xxx-ATL-yyy on the outbound. xxx-ATL must be in the same fare class as ATL-yyy. If one is T and the other is L class, the certificate does not work. Same applies for return.
Maybe they changed something since then. Last year the online system wasn't really working fully correctly either, and call agents would help with a lot of the bookings. This year when I came across the issue, I escelated it up and was told that the segments have to match... ie no 'broken' fares for an outbound or return. Supposedly the online booking system won't return results unless the segments are the same now.
I would suggest the system is working "as designed" ... which, in terms of customer satisfaction, may or may not be the same as "correctly"
I think the term is "married segments" for AAA-BBB-CCC travel: the O/D trip (AAA-CCC) has to be available in a single inventory (L/U/T)
I think the term is "married segments" for AAA-BBB-CCC travel: the O/D trip (AAA-CCC) has to be available in a single inventory (L/U/T)
I've also seem the married segment rules come up in using SWUs or miles to upgrade; both segments can be available in upgrade inventory, but you can't have any upgrades when using both segments (unless you book it by breaking the fare, which then becomes much more expensive).
It's very frustrating.
#44
formerly known as daveland
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NY, NY, USA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTP, Delta Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 2,969
Just used one Friday (saving $288 btw ) and noted two things:
1) The outbound I wanted was L and return was L but the system would not show the return flight I wanted after picking the outbound because it kept wanting to give me cheaper flights in U class (all 6 or 7 am flights). Somehow I got it to work by having it give me the outbound and returns together, selecting the return I wanted, and the outbound. And it gave it all in L.
2) My flights do not show upgrade requested or upgrade anything. No wording about upgrades at all. So I'm guessing no upgrades (as stated).
1) The outbound I wanted was L and return was L but the system would not show the return flight I wanted after picking the outbound because it kept wanting to give me cheaper flights in U class (all 6 or 7 am flights). Somehow I got it to work by having it give me the outbound and returns together, selecting the return I wanted, and the outbound. And it gave it all in L.
2) My flights do not show upgrade requested or upgrade anything. No wording about upgrades at all. So I'm guessing no upgrades (as stated).
Last edited by MilesTalk; Dec 13, 2010 at 10:02 pm