A3 bizarre system error and even stranger explanation
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
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A3 bizarre system error and even stranger explanation
So I have been trying to book a flight from Paris to New York on TP (Tap).
The problem is that TP flies from Orly (ORY) airport.
When you try to book ORY to JFK the system gives an error message.
I called A3 today and they insist this is because TP doesn't give A3 the ability to book through awards.. and that if I want to book this it has to be booked as two separate tickets ?!
I believe their explanation is ridiculous... that this is a system error. Any thoughts on this?
The problem is that TP flies from Orly (ORY) airport.
When you try to book ORY to JFK the system gives an error message.
I called A3 today and they insist this is because TP doesn't give A3 the ability to book through awards.. and that if I want to book this it has to be booked as two separate tickets ?!
I believe their explanation is ridiculous... that this is a system error. Any thoughts on this?
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
They could be right. To book a through ticket, the carrier must publish a through fare to the issuing carrier. If TP does not publish a fare for award between BOS and ORY/PAR, then A3 can not issue a single ticket with through fare.
I am not saying this is the case, but I am just trying to say that there is a pretty good chance that A3 is telling you the truth.
I am not saying this is the case, but I am just trying to say that there is a pretty good chance that A3 is telling you the truth.
#4
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
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I don't understand how you reached the conclusion that PAR/ORY is the problem? By that logic, why is NYC/JFK not the issue?
There is logic in that ORY-LIS-JFK could be not available as an award, while the independent segments are available. It fully depends on how the operator publishes their availability. I believe that this phenomenon is called married-segments.
However...as you tried to book online as well (?), I would assume that the website showed availability for the full itinerary. So that would indicate that there is availability?
Perhaps call again, another operator may be able to book it for you..
There is logic in that ORY-LIS-JFK could be not available as an award, while the independent segments are available. It fully depends on how the operator publishes their availability. I believe that this phenomenon is called married-segments.
However...as you tried to book online as well (?), I would assume that the website showed availability for the full itinerary. So that would indicate that there is availability?
Perhaps call again, another operator may be able to book it for you..
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
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Very simple. You can book a ton of flights to and from JFK to Europe in either direction yet you cannot book ANY flights from the US to ORY. It gives a system error.
TP publishes a fare from many European cities to its US destinations.
Furthermore those awards are available on UA, LH, SK and AC. Why would TP a) sell these routings, b) offer these to all of its other Star Alliance partners and not A3?
TP publishes a fare from many European cities to its US destinations.
Furthermore those awards are available on UA, LH, SK and AC. Why would TP a) sell these routings, b) offer these to all of its other Star Alliance partners and not A3?
#6
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To add to this-
TP shows availability from LYS, BRU, FRA, MUC, MAD, etc etc etc to JFK/BOS.
The ONLY city that generates an error is ORY.
So yes, I do believe it's a system error.
TP shows availability from LYS, BRU, FRA, MUC, MAD, etc etc etc to JFK/BOS.
The ONLY city that generates an error is ORY.
So yes, I do believe it's a system error.
#7
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
But, if I type in ORY, A3 system identify the Paris airport correctly. Then I typed LIS and JFK in 2 separate searches and both yielded positive result.
However, as I said, I don't have enough miles to see whether TP flight is listed.
That being said, if the system can identify ORY correctly, and it offers ORY to JFK as award flight in my searches on 8th and 9th May, it means A3 system is working until you book it. Have you called A3 again to see if another agent is able to offer a solution.
I can only offer advice from what I understand. Since my means are restricted due to lack of miles to see the route. Maybe you should give it another try? I see more flights are available to Boston than JFK. Have you tried BOSTON on TP? Maybe that will solve your puzzle?
#8
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It does find ORY, never said that was the problem. It just doesnt like ORY In some pairs.
Try booking ORY to BOS on any date. Youll see what I am talking about. Doesnt work.
Try booking ORY to BOS on any date. Youll see what I am talking about. Doesnt work.
#11
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that aaid i will take screenshots and document this ad nauseum so it is utterly clear
#13
Community Director
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This was:
A3 English language website
Safari on iPad
Searching for both one-way and return flights
Business Class
OP, are there specific dates and flights in August you’re trying to book that might be causing this, or perhaps displaying phantom availability?
Last edited by NWIFlyer; Dec 25, 2018 at 1:05 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2012
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Well, I just searched ORY to BOS oneway for 15 August and A3 website says there is no availability. There is availability for ORY to JFK, like the above two posters have found.
I also did a search with awardnexus and it did not find anything ORY-LIS-BOS in the middle of August. Maybe you can try Expertflyer or KVS.
As mentioned there might be married segment issues, for example once I could not get any award availability for HKG-LHR on BA yet when I changed the destination to LBA, there was availability for HKG-LHR-LBA on the same longhaul flight.