Originally Posted by
Widgets
Two clarifications:
- Service recovery amenities at inactive gate readers is not a consistent experience. Your airport has to setup its gates to be in "Service Recovery" mode when not in use. (Gate readers can be in three modes: boarding, deplaning, and service recovery.) Service recovery mode will print amenities like hotel/meal vouchers and updated itineraries when an IROP BP is scanned.
- A hotel voucher will only print at a service recovery scanner if an agent has personally added the hotel voucher to your reservation (not just a request for a voucher). Stations with IROP teams (hubs and big cities) have agents who add these things for customers on arriving delayed flights.
I
always recommend trying to scan a BP at a service recovery scanner or unused gate before getting in a long line at the Need Help Center. It would suck to wait in a long line only to have the agent scan your BP and print out everything you need.
I also always recommend to non-status customers calling the number on the red Need Help? cards if you're affected by a delay. I have never waited forever on hold when trying to call that number. Even during big weather delays, the hold time was seconds long.
+1
Additionally, most Need Help centers (including all at ATL) have scanners that are permanently in "Service Recovery" mode. These scanners will print seat changes, amenities (hotel/food/transportation vouchers), and any other changes that have been added to the PNR.
You'll also see these scanners spread out throughout the concourse – just look for "Need Help" signs. They aren't always attached to a physical desk staffed with agents, and also usually have a stack of Need Help? cards with the IROP 800 number attached to the sign.