Cannot search segments which don't include Canada or the U.S.
#61
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BKK/SIN/YYZ/YUL
Programs: DL, AC, Bonvoy, Accor, Hilton
Posts: 2,919
Time and time again we see that Aeroplan is not transparent and fails to provide full disclosure. Therefore, I do not believe it unreasonable for some to believe that Aeroplan could have been testing the waters. It is an organization that has squandered its credibility.
#62
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Delta, BC
Posts: 1,646
If this whole thread was indeed about a temporary bug, Aeroplan still deserves a whack across the proverbial customer-relations backside for failure to adequately inform via the website or provide the proper answer via their agents. For a corporation that has just received a kick-in-the-teeth from its biggest partner (AC) and taken a beating on its share value this is not the way to build confidence.
#63
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto (YYZ)
Posts: 6,279
You would think any legit company that is having significant IT issues (if you want to call it that) would do the proper thing and communicate that on their website or even inform their call centre staff! I guess that's too much to ask.
In failing to do so... members were left wondering ... is going on.
Aeroplan has lost confidence and trust from members with their shady blocking of Air China, Copa, Avianca and now with the recent SWISS "issue".
#64
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
Sometimes it's fun to read Gary Leff's columns
1.
"Aeroplan Quickly Brings Back Online Booking of Awards Outside US and Canada"
by Gary Leff on May 27, 2017
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/
2.
"Aeroplan Hates Their Customers, No Longer Lets You Book Most World Awards Online"
by Gary Leff on May 27, 2017
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....awards-online/
1.
"Aeroplan Quickly Brings Back Online Booking of Awards Outside US and Canada"
by Gary Leff on May 27, 2017
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/
2.
"Aeroplan Hates Their Customers, No Longer Lets You Book Most World Awards Online"
by Gary Leff on May 27, 2017
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....awards-online/
#65
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YUL, BKK, VLC
Programs: Aeroplan E75
Posts: 616
Sometimes it's fun to read Gary Leff's columns
"Aeroplan Hates Their Customers, No Longer Lets You Book Most World Awards Online"
by Gary Leff on May 27, 2017
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....awards-online/
"Aeroplan Hates Their Customers, No Longer Lets You Book Most World Awards Online"
by Gary Leff on May 27, 2017
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....awards-online/
#66
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
Just curious, but do you ever use the TTY relay service? I have a customer who uses it whenever she calls me and I'm pleased at how well it works. Of course it wouldn't help anywhere where you don't have a TTY, so forcing you to use telephone booking is still against all accessibility requirements.
The fundamental principle is that I shouldn't have to use a stigmatizing, obsolete, and extra-cost technology when MAINSTREAM technology exists to accommodate me (email, SMS, secure messaging, for starters). If my bank, hairdresser, doctor, and insurance company can all work out a way to securely communicate using mainstream technology, surely Canada's flag carrier can measure up?
#67
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,124
Here is my guess as to what actually happened:
Incompetent IT staff doing routine system maintenance of the Aeroplan website "accidentally" deleted the award codes for flight awards that don't involve North America. These codes drive the "pricing" of flight awards.
When a customer tries to search for a particular routing and the system can't match the routing against a valid award code, they get a message asking them to call AC.
As the "deleted" award codes are now reloaded back into the system, searches for awards involving purely non-North American segments are showing up again.
Incompetent IT staff doing routine system maintenance of the Aeroplan website "accidentally" deleted the award codes for flight awards that don't involve North America. These codes drive the "pricing" of flight awards.
When a customer tries to search for a particular routing and the system can't match the routing against a valid award code, they get a message asking them to call AC.
As the "deleted" award codes are now reloaded back into the system, searches for awards involving purely non-North American segments are showing up again.
#68
Here is my guess as to what actually happened:
Incompetent IT staff doing routine system maintenance of the Aeroplan website "accidentally" deleted the award codes for flight awards that don't involve North America. These codes drive the "pricing" of flight awards.
When a customer tries to search for a particular routing and the system can't match the routing against a valid award code, they get a message asking them to call AC.
As the "deleted" award codes are now reloaded back into the system, searches for awards involving purely non-North American segments are showing up again.
Incompetent IT staff doing routine system maintenance of the Aeroplan website "accidentally" deleted the award codes for flight awards that don't involve North America. These codes drive the "pricing" of flight awards.
When a customer tries to search for a particular routing and the system can't match the routing against a valid award code, they get a message asking them to call AC.
As the "deleted" award codes are now reloaded back into the system, searches for awards involving purely non-North American segments are showing up again.
#70
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto (YYZ)
Posts: 6,279
That still wouldn't explain the answers given to members who called, which was supposedly verified by a supervisor after a 30 minutes wait. The members were explicitly told there was an unannounced policy change. Why is that? This doesn't seem like the type of answer that CSR would make up after checking it with a supervisor.
#71
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto (YYZ)
Posts: 6,279
#72
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BKK/SIN/YYZ/YUL
Programs: DL, AC, Bonvoy, Accor, Hilton
Posts: 2,919
That still wouldn't explain the answers given to members who called, which was supposedly verified by a supervisor after a 30 minutes wait. The members were explicitly told there was an unannounced policy change. Why is that? This doesn't seem like the type of answer that CSR would make up after checking it with a supervisor.
I have a bad feeling that the death spiral of Aeroplan is going to be rather painful for those holding points. FT members caught a break on this one, but Ma & Pa Kettle saving up for the trip to Santa Banana next year are in for a surprise.
#73
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
Which is why, I am of the belief that it was an attempt to sneak through a change. They were caught, people protested and now it's back to the chicanery planning room for the geniuses who tried that move.
I have a bad feeling that the death spiral of Aeroplan is going to be rather painful for those holding points. FT members caught a break on this one, but Ma & Pa Kettle saving up for the trip to Santa Banana next year are in for a surprise.
I have a bad feeling that the death spiral of Aeroplan is going to be rather painful for those holding points. FT members caught a break on this one, but Ma & Pa Kettle saving up for the trip to Santa Banana next year are in for a surprise.
I see an IT issue at Aeroplan that lasted for less than 24 hours. I don't see it as some kind of stealth move indicative of future offerings (or lack thereof)
I don't fundamentally disagree that the program and benefits will continue to be eroded. I just don't think they are smart enough to drop some kind of experimental stealth bomb on us and back off after some squawking on enthusiast forums and websites.
Tangentially, I don't think if my bank website goes down for 30 minutes that some kind of dreaded future event is about to happen.
#74
I don't think it was an attempt to "sneak through a change". I think it is just one of many IT issues at Aeroplan. Someone asked an agent what is going on, and was told they had to phone in for certain types of routes that previously could be booked on line. That person interpreted that as a change in policy, presumably etched in stone. We can't tell as that person ended up being hung up upon by Aeroplan and perhaps did not get the chance to phrase the question properly.
Except Aeroplan is not a bank account. Your bank cannot just void your account balance if and when they feel like. But if you believe your Aeroplan account is as secure as your Canadian bank accounts, then nothing I say can help any further.
#75
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
I find that phone number listed as far back as 2007, so does not look new.
http://www.canflyer.com/canflyer/ind...b-site-glitch/
In any case, I get your points, it's just I don't spend a lot of my time wondering about conspiracy theories.
I will use up my remaining points and in short order. Have one flight to Australia and Japan booked (all on line), and will use the rest for 2 mini RTW's or multiple stop Asia J trips