Heads Up: Ridiculous Hold Times for Air Canada Reservations
Jun 30, 2019, 1:43 am
#166
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2,494
I misconnected at YYZ tonight. Amazingly, the connection people were able to give me the hotel and meal vouchers right away. However, they could not rebook me. I heard others saying that the "ticketing office was closed until 4 AM". How can that be?
Calling the 800 number got a message saying we are so busy, we can't call you back or put you on hold. However, our great online tools can help you.
Online, my connecting flight is no longer in the PNR.
What do I do other than going back to YYZ in the morning?
Thanks.
Calling the 800 number got a message saying we are so busy, we can't call you back or put you on hold. However, our great online tools can help you.
Online, my connecting flight is no longer in the PNR.
What do I do other than going back to YYZ in the morning?
Thanks.
Jun 30, 2019, 1:44 am
#167
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2,494
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-28/boeing-s-737-max-software-outsourced-to-9-an-hour-engineers
Jun 30, 2019, 10:47 am
#168
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
Cmon Mr. Hamer!
Jul 1, 2019, 7:26 am
#169
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,268
I still prefer the DL system:
1. Dial standard 1-800 number
2. 25 seconds later - "Good evening Mr. Hamer. Are you calling about your flight on Wednesday? Press 1 for yes..."
Air Canada blamed Nortel for changes to their upgrade program way back when. I'm surpised they are not blaming Nortel for call wait times now.
1. Dial standard 1-800 number
2. 25 seconds later - "Good evening Mr. Hamer. Are you calling about your flight on Wednesday? Press 1 for yes..."
Air Canada blamed Nortel for changes to their upgrade program way back when. I'm surpised they are not blaming Nortel for call wait times now.
Oh, wait a minute...
Jul 1, 2019, 3:52 pm
#170
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YLW
Programs: AC- SE100 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, National Executive, Nexus/GE
Posts: 4,319
Called the SE line twice within half an hour and got through right away.
Called the concierge line and it was answered right away.
All THREE times i spoke with the agent, i was speaking with new kids and no help was available, but they answered.
Called the concierge line and it was answered right away.
All THREE times i spoke with the agent, i was speaking with new kids and no help was available, but they answered.
Jul 12, 2019, 5:38 pm
#171
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 336
Data point: About a 30min wait on the E50K line right now.
When I called WS Gold line last week, they picked up straight away.
When I called WS Gold line last week, they picked up straight away.
Jul 12, 2019, 9:31 pm
#172
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: AC-E50K, IHG-P, Bonvoy-G
Posts: 1,268
30 minutes wait for E50 earlier this week. Crazy!
Jul 18, 2019, 10:56 am
#173
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 103
"Normal" AC reservations line is currently rejecting calls due to "circumstances out of their control".
Question: if I'm contemplating changes to an international itinerary is there any way to "preview' the charges online? i.e. check the fare difference for new date/route (if any) in addition to the applicable change fee.
Question: if I'm contemplating changes to an international itinerary is there any way to "preview' the charges online? i.e. check the fare difference for new date/route (if any) in addition to the applicable change fee.
Jul 18, 2019, 11:17 am
#174
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,357
"Normal" AC reservations line is currently rejecting calls due to "circumstances out of their control".
Question: if I'm contemplating changes to an international itinerary is there any way to "preview' the charges online? i.e. check the fare difference for new date/route (if any) in addition to the applicable change fee.
Question: if I'm contemplating changes to an international itinerary is there any way to "preview' the charges online? i.e. check the fare difference for new date/route (if any) in addition to the applicable change fee.
Jul 19, 2019, 9:30 am
#175
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 103
Thank you. Is it safely a "no purchase required" process? i.e. Can I go "to the end" to preview the charges and cancel out without any risk/change to my existing itinerary if I don't like it?
If so I'll try it out.
If so I'll try it out.
Jul 19, 2019, 9:48 am
#176
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC 50k 1MM, Marriott LT Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,402
Jul 19, 2019, 11:17 am
#177
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ottawa
Programs: Altitude E50K / *G
Posts: 924
Yes - Air Canada does not store your payment information on the website so you would have to provide it again to make a change. Just keep clicking through to the payment screen - there is no risk at all here.
Jul 19, 2019, 11:21 am
#178
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,357
That being said, the fact that it's a manual process to pull up any information is a bigger issue.
Jul 19, 2019, 11:58 am
#179
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Moncton, NB, Canada
Programs: AC MM+
Posts: 197
Made calls yesterday and today. SE line and answered right away. On both occasions, the agents were somewhere between useless and totally useless. Did not know the basics..... HUCA and dialled the concierge desk, got through in less than a minutes and both issues solved immediately.
Jul 19, 2019, 12:16 pm
#180
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,429
Made calls yesterday and today. SE line and answered right away. On both occasions, the agents were somewhere between useless and totally useless. Did not know the basics..... HUCA and dialled the concierge desk, got through in less than a minutes and both issues solved immediately.
So you are not likely to get any more knowledgeable agents on the SE line. I have had the SE desk tell me to call the Concierge line for a request and the Concierge line tell me that I should call the SE desk unless within 24 hrs of my flight since they are very busy.
Calling the SE line for upfare also has the same issue as mentioned in the Upfare thread - some agents know what to do, some want to charge a change fee and some say its not possible.