AF.com and FB both say no Business Class award seats yet EF shows C9
Apr 25, 2021, 3:02 pm
#1
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AF.com and FB both say no Business Class award seats yet EF shows C9
Trying to book a J award seat on the inaugural DEN-CDG flight on July 2.
EF says C9 but AF.com doesn't even recognize a nonstop for award purposes at any price. The flight is wide open with only 1 J seat assigned.
Checked the rest of the month and there are no J award seats offered on any day despite C9s across the board.
Does someone at RM/FB have to manually add a new nonstop for FB to recognize it and offer it?
EF says C9 but AF.com doesn't even recognize a nonstop for award purposes at any price. The flight is wide open with only 1 J seat assigned.
Checked the rest of the month and there are no J award seats offered on any day despite C9s across the board.
Does someone at RM/FB have to manually add a new nonstop for FB to recognize it and offer it?
Apr 25, 2021, 3:13 pm
#2
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This is a repetitive problem with AFKL when they launch new routes : the award inventory is never loaded. You should call FB.
Apr 25, 2021, 3:28 pm
#3
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Good to know, although frustrating. I did speak with one FB agent but she was clueless and not helpful. I was routed twice to the French/EU FB line which I usually try to avoid. Normally, US FB calls go to Mexican FB agents most of whom are outstanding and efficient. Not sure if AFKL cut MX weekend hours. Will try tomorrow. Merci Goldorak.
Apr 26, 2021, 1:51 am
#4
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Good to know, although frustrating. I did speak with one FB agent but she was clueless and not helpful. I was routed twice to the French/EU FB line which I usually try to avoid. Normally, US FB calls go to Mexican FB agents most of whom are outstanding and efficient. Not sure if AFKL cut MX weekend hours. Will try tomorrow. Merci Goldorak.
Apr 26, 2021, 4:36 am
#5
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I’m not sure agents can do much if inventory has not been uploaded. It may be more of a case of waiting a few days and checking again.
Apr 26, 2021, 5:08 am
#6
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Another observation I have made, although I have not checked on AF:
Most airlines currently publish a theoretical schedule for several months away. It is very likely that most of these flights will not operate.
It seems that several airlines are reluctant to open awards on those "uncertain" flights. Taking cash and rerouting you later on other flight sis fine. But issuing an award on those empty flights and having to reroute you might be potentially expensive and complicated.
My guess, and it is only a guess, is that the DEN flight will see award availability once it gets more cash bookings and its launch becomes more certain. The recent EU news seem rather good.
Apr 26, 2021, 12:04 pm
#7
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In the old FB rules scheme, I would have agreed with you, because the award inventory needed to be specifically loaded in the system. But with the "new" FB rules, all seats available for sale (as revenue) are supposed to be available for award redemption at dynamic pricing. So you can think that everything should be automatic.
I experienced the same as SFO777, last october, when KL announced the launch of the new ZNZ route from december. Some family members wanted to use miles to book award tickets and there was no inventory at all on the new nonstop KL flight whatever the date you were selecting. They called the Platinum line who had no clue at all, promised to follow up and they never did...
I experienced the same as SFO777, last october, when KL announced the launch of the new ZNZ route from december. Some family members wanted to use miles to book award tickets and there was no inventory at all on the new nonstop KL flight whatever the date you were selecting. They called the Platinum line who had no clue at all, promised to follow up and they never did...
Apr 27, 2021, 9:33 am
#8
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After striking out with Mexico today, I tried the FB Gold line and finally spoke to good agent that seemed to understand the problem. She saw DEN-CDG award availability on her computer but then had a problem booking it for me. After a few minutes on hold, she came back and said "you are completely correct", award seats had not been (properly) loaded into the system for that flight for any class on any dates. She said she would alert the proper FB department. Hopefully, the situation will correct itself in a few days, or weeks.
Apr 27, 2021, 3:14 pm
#9
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After striking out with Mexico today, I tried the FB Gold line and finally spoke to good agent that seemed to understand the problem. She saw DEN-CDG award availability on her computer but then had a problem booking it for me. After a few minutes on hold, she came back and said "you are completely correct", award seats had not been (properly) loaded into the system for that flight for any class on any dates. She said she would alert the proper FB department. Hopefully, the situation will correct itself in a few days, or weeks.
Apr 29, 2021, 1:07 pm
#11
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Service starts July 2nd. Only 3x a week (Wed-Fri-Sun) at this point.
They've sold a few J seats already. So maybe they don't need to release award seats.
They've sold a few J seats already. So maybe they don't need to release award seats.
May 3, 2021, 9:00 am
#12
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Success to report. Award seats for DEN-CDG have finally been loaded.
I booked the July 2nd DEN-CDG inaugural flight with a 10 hour connection to ATH, for a very reasonable 53,000 miles and $247 for J.
Now I'll send an email to ligne.lapremiere.com to see if they'll sell me the La Première ground package.
I booked the July 2nd DEN-CDG inaugural flight with a 10 hour connection to ATH, for a very reasonable 53,000 miles and $247 for J.
Now I'll send an email to ligne.lapremiere.com to see if they'll sell me the La Première ground package.
May 3, 2021, 12:51 pm
#13
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Success to report. Award seats for DEN-CDG have finally been loaded.
I booked the July 2nd DEN-CDG inaugural flight with a 10 hour connection to ATH, for a very reasonable 53,000 miles and $247 for J.
Now I'll send an email to ligne.lapremiere.com to see if they'll sell me the La Première ground package.
I booked the July 2nd DEN-CDG inaugural flight with a 10 hour connection to ATH, for a very reasonable 53,000 miles and $247 for J.
Now I'll send an email to ligne.lapremiere.com to see if they'll sell me the La Première ground package.
May 3, 2021, 6:09 pm
#14
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Success to report. Award seats for DEN-CDG have finally been loaded.
I booked the July 2nd DEN-CDG inaugural flight with a 10 hour connection to ATH, for a very reasonable 53,000 miles and $247 for J.
Now I'll send an email to ligne.lapremiere.com to see if they'll sell me the La Première ground package.
I booked the July 2nd DEN-CDG inaugural flight with a 10 hour connection to ATH, for a very reasonable 53,000 miles and $247 for J.
Now I'll send an email to ligne.lapremiere.com to see if they'll sell me the La Première ground package.
Let us know about the ground package. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth with that connection
.
May 3, 2021, 8:02 pm
#15
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Success to report. Award seats for DEN-CDG have finally been loaded.
I booked the July 2nd DEN-CDG inaugural flight with a 10 hour connection to ATH, for a very reasonable 53,000 miles and $247 for J.
Now I'll send an email to ligne.lapremiere.com to see if they'll sell me the La Première ground package.
I booked the July 2nd DEN-CDG inaugural flight with a 10 hour connection to ATH, for a very reasonable 53,000 miles and $247 for J.
Now I'll send an email to ligne.lapremiere.com to see if they'll sell me the La Première ground package.
To me a lounge is a lounge, however magnificent (and no spa), and spending 6 or 7 hours there eating/drinking seems much too much. PLus it makes you arrive in Athens in the middle of the night.
I would much prefer the short connection, even without paying for lounge privileges. Maybe the P escort upon arrival in CDG is worth it?