The one time I am not duly vigilant and Murphy bites my rear end, bad.

Got to ADL airport to check-in for my ADL-AKL flight and the QF check-in agent pulled the wrong coupon off !. By the time I discovered the error I was in HKG. I know, I know, I SHOULD have checked the blasted paper ticket right there in ADL, but for some reason I did not, and now I am in HKG with a useless ADL-AKL coupon for a flight I have already taken and minus a HKG-LAX coupon for my next leg, due in a few hours. Up the creek without a paddle, nice.

Anyhow, went to CX city office in HKG, explained everything to a CX supervisor and was told, basically, so sorry, Mr Viajero, no coupon, no flying CX today.

Fortunately, AA's office is right next door, so explained my problem to them and they came up with a solution: pay a USD100 fine and have the ticket replaced (not reissued, just replaced). AA was very nice about it and processed the replacement ticket in about 20 minutes.

Raced to HKG airport, went to QF, explained everything, agent said, basically, will send a telex (telex?) and IF the wrongly lifted coupon turns up will put a note on your PNR, sorry but this happens all the time, we are just not used to dealing with paper tickets. Nice.

Anyhow, not crying, just a heads up, for those unlucky enough to hold paper OWEs: triple check them at check-in and don't leave that counter until you have made sure the agent with the ten thumbs has lifted the RIGHT coupon. Were it not for some nice and efficient AA agent right now I'd be grounded in HKG and my itinerary shot to pieces. As it happens all I have to lament is an unfair USD100 fine and a one day HKG visit thoroughly destroyed.