Very angry with both AMEX and Air Canada
Mar 6, 2019, 6:22 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: aa plat, marriott gold elite
Posts: 97
Very angry with both AMEX and Air Canada
I specifically chose an itinerary that connects in YYZ to go to FCO that had a lot of openings up front in J. I placed a bid a couple weeks ago for the lowest bid ($685x2) and today I noticed it was accepted, however AMEX marked this charge as fraudulent. I called AC to let them know that it was an accident and AMEX wanted them to re-run the charge, but now the upgrade is not available to me and they said because I'm within the 72 hour window I cannot do the bid upgrade anymore (not to mention, just waited on hold for an hour). I'm forced now to either ride in a seat I haven't selected back in Economy, or be at the mercy of the LMU price. This is such a bummer. I would have bought a completely different itinerary if I knew I didn't have a good shot at being upgraded. Not to mention, screw AMEX. I know now that I cannot use my Plat card for charges that absolutely must go through on the first try. It wasn't even a spending power thing
Mar 6, 2019, 6:29 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,232
If it's any consolation, I've had the same thing happen with my TD Visa Infinite Privilege card when booking flights on AC.
TD declined the transaction and by the time I had it all cleared up with their call centre, the airfares had gone up significantly.
According to my pals inside Visa and MasterCard, booking flights is one of the activities that's a very common pattern in fraudulent / stolen card transactions. Kinda sucks when they promote these cards for travellers though.
TD declined the transaction and by the time I had it all cleared up with their call centre, the airfares had gone up significantly.
According to my pals inside Visa and MasterCard, booking flights is one of the activities that's a very common pattern in fraudulent / stolen card transactions. Kinda sucks when they promote these cards for travellers though.
Mar 6, 2019, 6:30 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,567
Well, it is not ACs fault and really not Amex's fault either.
Usually, when I get a fraudulent charge, I get an email immediately.
It was unfortunately and I suppose if you don't fly too often their system picks up on it.
Catch 22, I suppose
Usually, when I get a fraudulent charge, I get an email immediately.
It was unfortunately and I suppose if you don't fly too often their system picks up on it.
Catch 22, I suppose
Mar 6, 2019, 6:35 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 669
I specifically chose an itinerary that connects in YYZ to go to FCO that had a lot of openings up front in J. I placed a bid a couple weeks ago for the lowest bid ($685x2) and today I noticed it was accepted, however AMEX marked this charge as fraudulent. I called AC to let them know that it was an accident and AMEX wanted them to re-run the charge, but now the upgrade is not available to me and they said because I'm within the 72 hour window I cannot do the bid upgrade anymore (not to mention, just waited on hold for an hour). I'm forced now to either ride in a seat I haven't selected back in Economy, or be at the mercy of the LMU price. This is such a bummer. I would have bought a completely different itinerary if I knew I didn't have a good shot at being upgraded. Not to mention, screw AMEX. I know now that I cannot use my Plat card for charges that absolutely must go through on the first try. It wasn't even a spending power thing
Last edited by 5mm; Mar 6, 2019 at 7:09 pm
Mar 6, 2019, 6:36 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE100K, *G, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC, Enterprise Plat
Posts: 671
Best thing to do when you have an important charge coming up is to call the credit card company and let them know it’s coming.
I have done this several times with both my Amex plat and TD infinite priv
I have done this several times with both my Amex plat and TD infinite priv
Mar 6, 2019, 6:37 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
I’d be annoyed too, but not sure we can blame AC. AMEX maybe, though depends what they say.
I once had a card declined 2-3 times, when I rang they card up they said oh yeah we cancelled it a while ago (not in regular use). They reactivated it, but was still a pain.
Shame you can’t whitelist companies like you would emails. I assume OP doesn’t fly often so a $1370 AC charge came up as unusual.
Best you can hope for is a decent LMU. There are cases where LMUs have been lower than failed bids.
I once had a card declined 2-3 times, when I rang they card up they said oh yeah we cancelled it a while ago (not in regular use). They reactivated it, but was still a pain.
Shame you can’t whitelist companies like you would emails. I assume OP doesn’t fly often so a $1370 AC charge came up as unusual.
Best you can hope for is a decent LMU. There are cases where LMUs have been lower than failed bids.
Mar 6, 2019, 6:41 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: aa plat, marriott gold elite
Posts: 97
I’d be annoyed too, but not sure we can blame AC. AMEX maybe, though depends what they say.
I once had a card declined 2-3 times, when I rang they card up they said oh yeah we cancelled it a while ago (not in regular use). They reactivated it, but was still a pain.
Shame you can’t whitelist companies like you would emails. I assume OP doesn’t fly often so a $1370 AC charge came up as unusual.
Best you can hope for is a decent LMU. There are cases where LMUs have been lower than failed bids.
I once had a card declined 2-3 times, when I rang they card up they said oh yeah we cancelled it a while ago (not in regular use). They reactivated it, but was still a pain.
Shame you can’t whitelist companies like you would emails. I assume OP doesn’t fly often so a $1370 AC charge came up as unusual.
Best you can hope for is a decent LMU. There are cases where LMUs have been lower than failed bids.
True, probably not AC's fault but maybe if they get enough complaints, they can amend the 72 hour thing to 48 or something.
Mar 6, 2019, 6:42 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: aa plat, marriott gold elite
Posts: 97
I fly a lot (Germany last month, Italy this month, Israel next month). And yes, I got the e-mail immediately. Actually, the AMEX app notified me as soon as the charge was declined. I immediately called AC and sat through those terrible hold times
Mar 6, 2019, 7:02 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Given you called AC as soon as it was declined (which may or may not be within minutes of it actually trying to charge you I guess) it’s a shame, albeit not a surprise, that AC can’t push this through in these conditions.
But we’re dealing with an airline know to fly with empty J seats when people have literally stood there offering them $3k for an upgrade. The staff are limited by the systems.
Plusgrade is likely the issue.
And btw flying once a month isn’t that much for some here
But we’re dealing with an airline know to fly with empty J seats when people have literally stood there offering them $3k for an upgrade. The staff are limited by the systems.
Plusgrade is likely the issue.
And btw flying once a month isn’t that much for some here
Mar 6, 2019, 7:10 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: aa plat, marriott gold elite
Posts: 97
Given you called AC as soon as it was declined (which may or may not be within minutes of it actually trying to charge you I guess) it’s a shame, albeit not a surprise, that AC can’t push this through in these conditions.
But we’re dealing with an airline know to fly with empty J seats when people have literally stood there offering them $3k for an upgrade. The staff are limited by the systems.
Plusgrade is likely the issue.
And btw flying once a month isn’t that much for some here
But we’re dealing with an airline know to fly with empty J seats when people have literally stood there offering them $3k for an upgrade. The staff are limited by the systems.
Plusgrade is likely the issue.
And btw flying once a month isn’t that much for some here
Mar 6, 2019, 7:23 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
When I had status people used to think I flew a lot. I was like erm not really, not compared to many.Anyway, perhaps see if AMEX can “whitelist” Plusgrade for you. For the future, and report back if you can LMU. If you post details someone may be able to confirm what J space is like right now.
Mar 6, 2019, 7:28 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: aa plat, marriott gold elite
Posts: 97
For the normal population yes
When I had status people used to think I flew a lot. I was like erm not really, not compared to many.Anyway, perhaps see if AMEX can “whitelist” Plusgrade for you. For the future, and report back if you can LMU. If you post details someone may be able to confirm what J space is like right now.
BTW, I wasn’t trying to compare who is a bigger flyer, because I know I’m nowhere near lots of people on FT
. Just trying to mention that I have a pattern of flying at least once a month with upgrade copays etc, so I thought AMEX would have had that pattern by now.
Mar 6, 2019, 7:31 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Yeah I will report back. I use EF to check fare space, which is what I use when I know will be bid upgrading. Typically I find the itineraries that have the TATL leg relatively empty up front, and do the lowest bid. I’ve actually never had a denied bid doing this, but maybe I’ve just been lucky. Anyway, I’m seeing J9 on this particular flight so I’m hopeful about a LMU.
BTW, I wasn’t trying to compare who is a bigger flyer, because I know I’m nowhere near lots of people on FT
. Just trying to mention that I have a pattern of flying at least once a month with upgrade copays etc, so I thought AMEX would have had that pattern by now.
Mar 6, 2019, 8:59 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
Sorry but if Amex flags a legitimate charge as fraudulent, then it is their fault. They have to take responsibility for their mistakes.BTW same thing happened to me once. But for a minor, short haul leg on a European airline. And no, amex did not notify me. When I cleaned up the mess, the upgrade was gone.