Award booking issues on FB website
Feb 8, 2006, 2:44 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2005
Location: EUR
Programs: FB Plat./BA Gold (thanks BD)/A3 *Gold/HH Diamond/A Club Gold
Posts: 918
Has anybody ever experienced this: I am trying to book two seats in Biz for CDG-DXB in early March. Dates are slightly flexible so I have been checking a lot of options and get a lot of different choices just no Direct flights from CDG(either via SPL, MXP or PRG). Also, the "cost" keeps changing from 140k to 160k - and I thought the Skyteam rate was 120k.
The really fun thing is that I just tried requesting AMS-DXB and, you guessed it, the only availability is by connecting through CDG on the direct CDG-DXB flight that I can't book if I leave from... CDG.
I guess I'll just call them tomorrow - but this is strange.
The really fun thing is that I just tried requesting AMS-DXB and, you guessed it, the only availability is by connecting through CDG on the direct CDG-DXB flight that I can't book if I leave from... CDG.
I guess I'll just call them tomorrow - but this is strange.
Feb 8, 2006, 3:02 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,766
Originally Posted by jsfr
I guess I'll just call them tomorrow - but this is strange.
Feb 28, 2006, 1:11 pm
#49
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Silver, AA
Posts: 41
Misery loves company...
Well, since misery loves company I was happy to come across this thread... On Nov. 5th I booked a ticket from CDG to MAD using some of my remaining AF miles. This was a side trip from a JFK to CDG ticket I purchased through AF. After making the reservation and calling in with my credit card info. for the taxes, I received a "reservation confirmed" email. When the end of Nov. rolled around and my Amex had still not been charged for the taxes, I started to become a little worried. Called AF and they assured me that all was fine. The charge for the taxes finally billed to my Amex account on Dec. 15th when the miles were also deducted from my Flying Blue account.
Arrived at JFK on Feb. 12th with all my reservation print-outs and was told by the L'Espace check-in that my CDG - MAD flight was not the same one I had a "confirmed reservation" for. In fact, the flight AF ticketed me for was one that was departing before my arrival at CDG!!! I was refered to the ticketing desk where they told me that I would have to pay 40 EUR for the change. That's when I blew a gasket!!! I should have to pay for their error. "Just pay now and call the service center later to request a refund", was the advise offered to me. NO WAY! Not when it is clearly AF's error. I stood firm and eventually, they did make the change for no charge - as they should have from the start (while expressing their sincere regret for the error).
If I we can't trust AF to get the bookings of award tickets for their frequent flyers correct, why should we trust them at all? Fortunetly, I was just using up remaining miles from my old Frequency Plus account. I still fly AF and sometimes book directly through them but all flights are credited to my Delta account where I have elite status. Now I just have to hope that Delta does not go under.
Arrived at JFK on Feb. 12th with all my reservation print-outs and was told by the L'Espace check-in that my CDG - MAD flight was not the same one I had a "confirmed reservation" for. In fact, the flight AF ticketed me for was one that was departing before my arrival at CDG!!! I was refered to the ticketing desk where they told me that I would have to pay 40 EUR for the change. That's when I blew a gasket!!! I should have to pay for their error. "Just pay now and call the service center later to request a refund", was the advise offered to me. NO WAY! Not when it is clearly AF's error. I stood firm and eventually, they did make the change for no charge - as they should have from the start (while expressing their sincere regret for the error).
If I we can't trust AF to get the bookings of award tickets for their frequent flyers correct, why should we trust them at all? Fortunetly, I was just using up remaining miles from my old Frequency Plus account. I still fly AF and sometimes book directly through them but all flights are credited to my Delta account where I have elite status. Now I just have to hope that Delta does not go under.
Feb 28, 2006, 1:18 pm
#50
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH FTL, HHonors Gold, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Ambassador, BA down to nobody, Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 12,418
When booking an AF award ticket, you receive two e-mails. The first one acknowledging your reservation is issued immediately after you have completed the reservation. The second one issues the e-ticket, once the taxes have been charged to your credit card. On one occasion, I did not receive the second e-mail, but I was not worried because the flight was three months away. One month later, I decided to check with the FFP and they found out that there had been a bug in the process and promptly issued the e-ticket.
Did you receive the second e-mail and was the information coherent with the one you received for the reservation ?
Did you receive the second e-mail and was the information coherent with the one you received for the reservation ?
Feb 28, 2006, 2:37 pm
#51
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Silver, AA
Posts: 41
Thanks for your follow-up. No, I only got one email which listed the reservation status as "confirmed". Even the agent at the ticketing desk at JFK could not understand why the reservation was changed over five weeks later. There were still seats availalbe on the flight I reserved. Possibly just human error.
I think I was more upset by the way it was handled at JFK. All companies make errors. I judge customer service not only by what a comany does right but also by what they do when something goes wrong. In the end I did get the flight I originally scheduled without paying a fee for a change but it was not a pleasant or customer-friendly exchange. And anyway, they falied to get my luggage onto the conneting flight at CDG... but that is another story.
I think I was more upset by the way it was handled at JFK. All companies make errors. I judge customer service not only by what a comany does right but also by what they do when something goes wrong. In the end I did get the flight I originally scheduled without paying a fee for a change but it was not a pleasant or customer-friendly exchange. And anyway, they falied to get my luggage onto the conneting flight at CDG... but that is another story.
Apr 16, 2006, 12:50 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 66
I booked a MXP-CDG-HKG business rtn award ticket today on the FB website. After selecting all business class seats, I moved on to pay the taxes.THen the trip summary gave me CDG-HKG eco seat and CDG-MXP eco, while the other 2 flights remain business. I checked my mileage summary and they only took away 100,000 miles.
When did they proceed with the booking if they don't have C class available? Has anyone expeienced similar problems? Will they be able to rectify it if I call FB on Tuesday?
Thanks.
When did they proceed with the booking if they don't have C class available? Has anyone expeienced similar problems? Will they be able to rectify it if I call FB on Tuesday?
Thanks.
May 9, 2006, 8:39 am
#53
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Commuting between AMS, CDG and IAH
Programs: FB LTPE, hhonors diamond, hertz 5*, Thalysthecard Platinium, A-club Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 521
Award Taxes: 5 059.96 EUR !!!
Is the award booking site busted again? I just tried to book a return AMS-SFO, select "open miles" and the site came back with the taxes (belastinggegevens) as indicated below...
Benodigde aantal Miles
De heer CO-FFPlatinum
Benodigde Miles voor deze reis : 160 000 ("Open-Miles"-optie)
Belastinggegevens Totaal : 5 059.96 EUR
Voor cadeautickets gelden alle toepasselijke belastingen.Betaling is verschuldigd op het moment van uitgifte van de tickets.
Bedrag Belastingen Passagier(s) Totaal (incl. belastingen)
4 876 EUR + 183.96 EUR x 1 Volwassene = 5 059.96 EUR
Totaal : 5 059.96 EUR
Voorwaarden award tickets
Benodigde aantal Miles
De heer CO-FFPlatinum
Benodigde Miles voor deze reis : 160 000 ("Open-Miles"-optie)
Belastinggegevens Totaal : 5 059.96 EUR
Voor cadeautickets gelden alle toepasselijke belastingen.Betaling is verschuldigd op het moment van uitgifte van de tickets.
Bedrag Belastingen Passagier(s) Totaal (incl. belastingen)
4 876 EUR + 183.96 EUR x 1 Volwassene = 5 059.96 EUR
Totaal : 5 059.96 EUR
Voorwaarden award tickets
May 20, 2006, 10:26 am
#57
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ARN
Programs: FB Plat, Eurobonus Silver, Starwood Gold, Amex Plat, Hertz 5*
Posts: 59
Award booking.. surprize not realy expected
I ve booked a award flight between PTP-ARN in buisness today, during the online booking the sytem showed me that this one will cost me 50000 miles in Buisiness for the 13 jan 2007. They were also the option to travel eco or alize for less miles. but I did chose the Buisiness for the 50000 miles. everything went well, taxe and charge no problem. The suprize begun when I called the reservation center to pre-assigne my seat, when I told the agent that I will have the seat 1A she told me that was not possible since I travel eco 
what a surprize, I bellived I should travel Business but she told me that was not the case....efter som argue she transfered me to FB. There the lady nicely explain me that they were no place in business so they put me in eco. She told me that when we book on line we are booking "inblindo" and that the system does not show the right info, and put you in the best possible class.
I ve cancelled the ticket and recieve my milles back. but I am very confused.
what a surprize, I bellived I should travel Business but she told me that was not the case....efter som argue she transfered me to FB. There the lady nicely explain me that they were no place in business so they put me in eco. She told me that when we book on line we are booking "inblindo" and that the system does not show the right info, and put you in the best possible class.I ve cancelled the ticket and recieve my milles back. but I am very confused.
May 20, 2006, 12:19 pm
#58
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ PPS, LH SEN, Amex something, nothing everywhere else
Posts: 994
It's a known bug in the booking engine. Has been known for a long time, but KL/AF are in no hurry to fix it.
See http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=482001.
See http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=482001.
May 20, 2006, 12:25 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BER
Programs: Hilton Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 15,757
Originally Posted by Flyback
I ve booked a award flight between PTP-ARN in buisness today, during the online booking the sytem showed me that this one will cost me 50000 miles in Buisiness for the 13 jan 2007. ...
I ve cancelled the ticket and recieve my milles back. but I am very confused.
I ve cancelled the ticket and recieve my milles back. but I am very confused.
Originally Posted by WearyBizTrvlr
It's a known bug in the booking engine. Has been known for a long time, but KL/AF are in no hurry to fix it.
See http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=482001.
See http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=482001.
moderator, please merge this to existing award-booking-error-thread. thank you.
May 21, 2006, 10:08 am
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BER
Programs: Hilton Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 15,757
Originally Posted by Flyback
I ve booked a award flight between PTP-ARN in buisness today, during the online booking the sytem showed me that this one will cost me 50000 miles in Buisiness for the 13 jan 2007. They were also the option to travel eco or alize for less miles. but I did chose the Buisiness for the 50000 miles. everything went well, taxe and charge no problem. The suprize begun when I called the reservation center to pre-assigne my seat, when I told the agent that I will have the seat 1A she told me that was not possible since I travel eco what a surprize, I bellived I should travel Business but she told me that was not the case....efter som argue she transfered me to FB. There the lady nicely explain me that they were no place in business so they put me in eco. She told me that when we book on line we are booking "inblindo" and that the system does not show the right info, and put you in the best possible class.
I ve cancelled the ticket and recieve my milles back. but I am very confused.
what a surprize, I bellived I should travel Business but she told me that was not the case....efter som argue she transfered me to FB. There the lady nicely explain me that they were no place in business so they put me in eco. She told me that when we book on line we are booking "inblindo" and that the system does not show the right info, and put you in the best possible class.I ve cancelled the ticket and recieve my milles back. but I am very confused.