Getting AC Reservations to see ITA/Google Flight options
May 21, 2015, 8:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE
Posts: 825
Getting AC Reservations to see ITA/Google Flight options
I am looking to book a J ticket to ZRH at the end of August.
Google Flights and ITA show a great option (AC to CDG and LX to ZRH on the outbound and LH to MUC and AC to YYZ on the return) that doesn't show up on the Air Canada website. It's a good $1,300 cheaper than what's showing on the website. I can see the fare class/code and rules on ITA, and the exact flights, but when I call AC they can apparently only see what's on the website.
Normally I'd try a travel agent, but I have an unused travel credit that I'd like to use and so AC reservations is the only option.
Is there some way to communicate to the AC reservations agent what to look for or explain to them how to construct this in a way that gets the fare that ITA produces? I asked the agent to construct it segment by segment but she insisted that this would produce separately-priced tickets for each segment.
Any advice appreciated.
Google Flights and ITA show a great option (AC to CDG and LX to ZRH on the outbound and LH to MUC and AC to YYZ on the return) that doesn't show up on the Air Canada website. It's a good $1,300 cheaper than what's showing on the website. I can see the fare class/code and rules on ITA, and the exact flights, but when I call AC they can apparently only see what's on the website.
Normally I'd try a travel agent, but I have an unused travel credit that I'd like to use and so AC reservations is the only option.
Is there some way to communicate to the AC reservations agent what to look for or explain to them how to construct this in a way that gets the fare that ITA produces? I asked the agent to construct it segment by segment but she insisted that this would produce separately-priced tickets for each segment.
Any advice appreciated.
May 21, 2015, 8:27 am
#2
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: 44,282
I've done this as recently as last night.
'Hi, I'd like to book a ticket for one passenger. I have flight numbers and fare classes. My Aeroplan number is 123456789. On June 14, I want AC 123 YYZ-CDG departing at 1830 in K class. On June 15, LX 234 CDG-ZRH departing at 1130 in S class, ..."
Then when you're done, they price it out, and it should match to within $10.
'Hi, I'd like to book a ticket for one passenger. I have flight numbers and fare classes. My Aeroplan number is 123456789. On June 14, I want AC 123 YYZ-CDG departing at 1830 in K class. On June 15, LX 234 CDG-ZRH departing at 1130 in S class, ..."
Then when you're done, they price it out, and it should match to within $10.
May 21, 2015, 9:35 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,780
I've done this as recently as last night.
'Hi, I'd like to book a ticket for one passenger. I have flight numbers and fare classes. My Aeroplan number is 123456789. On June 14, I want AC 123 YYZ-CDG departing at 1830 in K class. On June 15, LX 234 CDG-ZRH departing at 1130 in S class, ..."
Then when you're done, they price it out, and it should match to within $10.
'Hi, I'd like to book a ticket for one passenger. I have flight numbers and fare classes. My Aeroplan number is 123456789. On June 14, I want AC 123 YYZ-CDG departing at 1830 in K class. On June 15, LX 234 CDG-ZRH departing at 1130 in S class, ..."
Then when you're done, they price it out, and it should match to within $10.
May 21, 2015, 10:30 am
#6
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: 44,282
That's never been necessary.
Last night though, he priced it out about $150 higher than me, so I asked him to verify the fare classes, and he said they matched mine. Then I asked for the fare breakdown, and he realized he hadn't matched what I told him and confirmed with him
For the next booking I did with him, after putting in all the segments, he asked me, "Did you get $1234?" rather than "This comes out to $1234."
He knew who was boss
Last night though, he priced it out about $150 higher than me, so I asked him to verify the fare classes, and he said they matched mine. Then I asked for the fare breakdown, and he realized he hadn't matched what I told him and confirmed with him
For the next booking I did with him, after putting in all the segments, he asked me, "Did you get $1234?" rather than "This comes out to $1234."
He knew who was boss
May 21, 2015, 12:12 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MLL / AC Cafe
Programs: It's hard to get status when the website won't let me book flights.
Posts: 5,706
HUCA is the way to go, you have to get someone who knows what they are doing.
I've done it many times from YVR - somewhere - somewhere - AMD and back. The ac system forces a lufthansa codeshare even though there are AI flights and codeshares available (someone at AC told me that's how they have designed the system). The way the AC system wants to book is always a couple grand more. Calling in and booking with someone in the know can be worth it.
I've done it many times from YVR - somewhere - somewhere - AMD and back. The ac system forces a lufthansa codeshare even though there are AI flights and codeshares available (someone at AC told me that's how they have designed the system). The way the AC system wants to book is always a couple grand more. Calling in and booking with someone in the know can be worth it.
May 21, 2015, 12:17 pm
#8
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: 44,282
I just did it again.
Fed her the flight numbers and fare classes, then had a bit of a chat about where I got the fare classes from and that she figured I'd "have" an Aeroplan number after all that.
But she actually won the record for fastest EYW booking
I've never had a problem feeding this stuff to a phone agent.
In this case though, it priced out $35 cheaper than ITA. That always scares me, but the ticket looks fine.
Fed her the flight numbers and fare classes, then had a bit of a chat about where I got the fare classes from and that she figured I'd "have" an Aeroplan number after all that.
But she actually won the record for fastest EYW booking
I've never had a problem feeding this stuff to a phone agent.
In this case though, it priced out $35 cheaper than ITA. That always scares me, but the ticket looks fine.
