Office Max [master thread]
#46
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Posts: 3,796
Right. The issue is that at no point is either a tracking ID or your DM number passed to OfficeMax.com. It only sees the URL you clicked on, and has no idea of any other information that was on the site the URL was from. You could also just type it in. It can't be passing a cookie because cookies can't be shared between different sites.
The shopping mall sites pass a tracking ID, so the site reports back to the mall that session #1234367 earned 55 DMs. The mall website knows that was you because you logged in and credits the miles. OfficeMax uses this method with other airlines (like United), but they aren't in the US Airways mall.
I'm 100% sure the link is broken and you won't get miles. Either OfficeMax.com has a problem, or US Airways is using the wrong URL. I'm also 100% sure the blank pane in the center of the screen is supposed to say something like "Welcome US Airways members!" and ask you for your DM number.
The problem is penetrating customer service and getting the message to someone in their IT departments to look at it. Customer service is just going to either say it's fine, or you're doing something wrong. It's a classic problem that it's almost impossible to report website bugs to large corporations because you aren't allowed to talk to anyone that can help.
The shopping mall sites pass a tracking ID, so the site reports back to the mall that session #1234367 earned 55 DMs. The mall website knows that was you because you logged in and credits the miles. OfficeMax uses this method with other airlines (like United), but they aren't in the US Airways mall.
I'm 100% sure the link is broken and you won't get miles. Either OfficeMax.com has a problem, or US Airways is using the wrong URL. I'm also 100% sure the blank pane in the center of the screen is supposed to say something like "Welcome US Airways members!" and ask you for your DM number.
The problem is penetrating customer service and getting the message to someone in their IT departments to look at it. Customer service is just going to either say it's fine, or you're doing something wrong. It's a classic problem that it's almost impossible to report website bugs to large corporations because you aren't allowed to talk to anyone that can help.
#47
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 441
I'd almost suggest forwarding a link of this thread to OfficeMax higher-ups to show it's a public problem and we take it seriously, but then we'd be giving away GS team secrets (i.e. loophole strategies), and we don't really want to draw too much of their attention to our playbook.
Thanks to FTers who're reaching out on our behalf.
Thanks to FTers who're reaching out on our behalf.
#48
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Phoenix
Programs: AA, Delta, Continental, US Airways, HHonors, Priority Club, Marriott
Posts: 70
Right. The issue is that at no point is either a tracking ID or your DM number passed to OfficeMax.com. It only sees the URL you clicked on, and has no idea of any other information that was on the site the URL was from. You could also just type it in. It can't be passing a cookie because cookies can't be shared between different sites.
The shopping mall sites pass a tracking ID, so the site reports back to the mall that session #1234367 earned 55 DMs. The mall website knows that was you because you logged in and credits the miles. OfficeMax uses this method with other airlines (like United), but they aren't in the US Airways mall.
I'm 100% sure the link is broken and you won't get miles. Either OfficeMax.com has a problem, or US Airways is using the wrong URL. I'm also 100% sure the blank pane in the center of the screen is supposed to say something like "Welcome US Airways members!" and ask you for your DM number.
The problem is penetrating customer service and getting the message to someone in their IT departments to look at it. Customer service is just going to either say it's fine, or you're doing something wrong. It's a classic problem that it's almost impossible to report website bugs to large corporations because you aren't allowed to talk to anyone that can help.
The shopping mall sites pass a tracking ID, so the site reports back to the mall that session #1234367 earned 55 DMs. The mall website knows that was you because you logged in and credits the miles. OfficeMax uses this method with other airlines (like United), but they aren't in the US Airways mall.
I'm 100% sure the link is broken and you won't get miles. Either OfficeMax.com has a problem, or US Airways is using the wrong URL. I'm also 100% sure the blank pane in the center of the screen is supposed to say something like "Welcome US Airways members!" and ask you for your DM number.
The problem is penetrating customer service and getting the message to someone in their IT departments to look at it. Customer service is just going to either say it's fine, or you're doing something wrong. It's a classic problem that it's almost impossible to report website bugs to large corporations because you aren't allowed to talk to anyone that can help.
#49
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,135
- US was using the same URL a year ago, and it worked
- a member in the primary (Other Partners) thread has noted that he did this successfully just last month
The problem is penetrating customer service and getting the message to someone in their IT departments to look at it. [...] It's a classic problem that it's almost impossible to report website bugs to large corporations because you aren't allowed to talk to anyone that can help.
*facepalm*
#50
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ABQ LAX SNA ITO
Programs: AA AS DL UA US WN Choice Gold, BW Diamond, PClub Plat, HHonnors Gold, Marriott, Carlson Gold
Posts: 224
Given that
I called OM again today and asked to speak to their web support/IT department. The very nice CSR gave me a toll-free number which connected me to a recorded line with info about WalMart promotions.
*facepalm*
- US was using the same URL a year ago, and it worked
- a member in the primary (Other Partners) thread has noted that he did this successfully just last month
I called OM again today and asked to speak to their web support/IT department. The very nice CSR gave me a toll-free number which connected me to a recorded line with info about WalMart promotions.
*facepalm*
Besides the website there is also a telephone number where orders can be placed. The number is 800-283-7674. Sorry if this was already mentioned but has someone called the order number and made an order? I imagine the error with the web page is not a problem for orders by phone. When I look at the source code of the web page there are some comments regarding fixes for errors, quite often a fix for one error will cause a new error and that's likely what happened.
Last edited by iang000; Sep 16, 2011 at 9:10 pm
#51
Join Date: May 2011
Location: North Carolina
Programs: AA exp(6mm), United Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
I took my chance and ordered from officemax yesterday. I'll report back if anything happens. Like everyone else, I'm following the story with interest.
#52
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,145
"Hi, I'd like to buy your cheapest item. How much would it cost? Oh, $5? Do you by any chance have a defective one you could sell to me? Like for 10% off? Yes? Oh, great! I'll take it! Please make sure to note my US Airways number is 12345678."
#53
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Okinawa
Posts: 2,608
Besides the website there is also a telephone number where orders can be placed. The number is 800-283-7674. Sorry if this was already mentioned but has someone called the order number and made an order? I imagine the error with the web page is not a problem for orders by phone. When I look at the source code of the web page there are some comments regarding fixes for errors, quite often a fix for one error will cause a new error and that's likely what happened.
#54
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,135
FYI, you can see exactly what the OMX landing page for US-referred visitors used to look like, as noted in the Other Partners thread.
#55
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SoCal
Programs: SPG PLAT, AA Plat (2MM), BA, UA/CO
Posts: 442
#57
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ABQ LAX SNA ITO
Programs: AA AS DL UA US WN Choice Gold, BW Diamond, PClub Plat, HHonnors Gold, Marriott, Carlson Gold
Posts: 224
Since others report that the telephone is not a viable option the only other choice is to call US Air and get the highest level non-monkey you can find in the company on the telephone and explain the issue to them. Then hope that they will actually go through the proper channels to escalate this issue to Officemax. Otherwise it's a hit that will never be a hit.
#58
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Migros Cumulus Platinum Hero
Posts: 1,628
Since others report that the telephone is not a viable option the only other choice is to call US Air and get the highest level non-monkey you can find in the company on the telephone and explain the issue to them. Then hope that they will actually go through the proper channels to escalate this issue to Officemax. Otherwise it's a hit that will never be a hit.
#59
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: US Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hertz 5-Star
Posts: 923
I've sent OfficeMax several emails in a back and forth conversation.
I pointed out that there was never a request to enter my US Airways account number even though I did use the affiliate link. The person I was communicating with says they can't see account numbers either but to wait a few weeks (OfficeMax always took about two to three weeks in the past anyway) and then contact them again if nothing posts and they can manually transmit.
I pointed out that there was never a request to enter my US Airways account number even though I did use the affiliate link. The person I was communicating with says they can't see account numbers either but to wait a few weeks (OfficeMax always took about two to three weeks in the past anyway) and then contact them again if nothing posts and they can manually transmit.
#60
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Okinawa
Posts: 2,608
Throughout the year, I buy office supplies from officemax.com. I click on the officemax link on this page, http://shopping.usairways.com/en-US/...html#OfficeMax. It always ask me for the DM, my DM shows on the screen and it tells me how miles that I earned for that order. On average, it takes ten (10) days for the mileage credit to show up on my account.