Question: OLCI: Why not available for PDX and SEA?
Jan 4, 2011, 10:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: YOW (mostly); PDX (some of the time)
Programs: AS (former)MVP, DL [NW-WP], AC Aeroplan, Starbucks Gold :)
Posts: 257
OLCI: Why not available for PDX and SEA?
Hi AC FTers!
I was trying to check in for my PDX-YVR-YYZ-YOW flight online -- unsuccessfully. When doing that, I learned that PDX and SEA are not set up for OLCI for those originating at these two airports. Virtually all US cities are OLCI compliant, but for some reason, not PDX and SEA. Anyone know why?
~FAI PDX Flyer!
I was trying to check in for my PDX-YVR-YYZ-YOW flight online -- unsuccessfully. When doing that, I learned that PDX and SEA are not set up for OLCI for those originating at these two airports. Virtually all US cities are OLCI compliant, but for some reason, not PDX and SEA. Anyone know why?
~FAI PDX Flyer!
Jan 4, 2011, 11:01 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Programs: FOTSG
Posts: 413
PDX and SEA are handled by UA, using their checkin system (I've forgotten what it is called). Because of that you can not check in online with AC and will have to do it at the airport in PDX.
May 15, 2011, 10:30 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PDX
Programs: AS, DL, UA, AC, Nexus, TSA Pre
Posts: 364
Why no OLCI from PDX or SEA??
Anyone know why AC cares where my ITN originates when using OLCI? Neither PDX nor SEA is on the "approved" city list despite each having several daily flights to YVR and a NS to YYZ. I don't remember any US airline having city-of-origin OLCI restrictions, even for INTL flights. Sure, they verify docs at the airport but I could still check in and go for a good seat.
It's as if AC would prefer me to fly out of PDX on QX and then xfer to AC in YVR. Then I could use OLCI for my entire segment (PDX - YVR - LHR). I did that last month due to the way schedules played out and was allowed OLCI because my AC flights originated in YVR.
It's as if AC would prefer me to fly out of PDX on QX and then xfer to AC in YVR. Then I could use OLCI for my entire segment (PDX - YVR - LHR). I did that last month due to the way schedules played out and was allowed OLCI because my AC flights originated in YVR.
May 15, 2011, 10:33 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 6,138
It's an IT limitation. Some stations in the US do not use AC's software, and thus are not OLCI-eligible.
I've not flown AC out of PDX but in SEA the UA agents use the UA res system - I suspect the same is the case in PDX.
I've not flown AC out of PDX but in SEA the UA agents use the UA res system - I suspect the same is the case in PDX.
May 15, 2011, 10:35 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: YUL/EZE
Programs: AC*SE,SPG Platinum,HHounours Gold, FairmontPlat
Posts: 990
Yep suspect to believe that they are both non DCS stations therefore not allowing OLCI.
May 15, 2011, 10:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PDX
Programs: AS, DL, UA, AC, Nexus, TSA Pre
Posts: 364
Ok, so I it take the issue would be the UA system would not be able to scan an AC BP. I guess that's a plausible explanation. Still, it's quite frustrating that in the year 2011, they can't make the UA and AC systems talk to each other. Some how they manage to do it when the post the mileage to my UA account.
Thanks for the info guys.
Thanks for the info guys.
May 16, 2011, 2:12 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 768
This is actually quite a pain if you don't have *G status and have an early morning departure out of SEA. The UA check-in lines is usually long at Seattle that time of the day.
If you are AC*E or SE the UA premium check-in lines are almost always empty at Seattle.
If you are AC*E or SE the UA premium check-in lines are almost always empty at Seattle.
May 16, 2011, 3:46 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, hhonors Gold
Posts: 3,436
Worse thing is that they cannot process last minute Eupgrades so unless it clears the day before you're SOL.
May 16, 2011, 5:07 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,187
May 16, 2011, 5:13 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 768
May 16, 2011, 9:53 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Another instance why it may be useful to call AE reservations line and find out if options are bookable.. its' free, takes 10 or 20 minutes..
But lists all the options available for booking.. and if you can't book OL, then complete the booking with the reservations agent (and pay the $30 per ticket)
But lists all the options available for booking.. and if you can't book OL, then complete the booking with the reservations agent (and pay the $30 per ticket)
May 18, 2011, 8:31 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, hhonors Gold
Posts: 3,436
PDX and Sea both have J to YYZ and if it doesn't clear before checkin you are not upgraded. UA system cannot pull the eupgrades