Why the changing availability?
Feb 13, 2007, 9:50 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 6
Why the changing availability?
Hi all
I am an Elite Platinum member and tried to book 2 seats on a LHR-BKK return flight this morning...after checking availability online, I called reservations to be told there was no more availability (there is, just not for award miles use!). I went back online, and sure enough could not get the flight again, but WAS able to book two lots of one way journeys. Again, I call to book, and get told there's no availability (again, there is, just not for award miles use!)
Short of booking online next time I get the offer (now there's only OPEN MILES options left which isn't preferable), does anyone have any tips on booking flights and ensuring availability?...I can be flexible with dates, but can't find a 14 day LHR to BKK return any time in late April / early May.
Thanks
I am an Elite Platinum member and tried to book 2 seats on a LHR-BKK return flight this morning...after checking availability online, I called reservations to be told there was no more availability (there is, just not for award miles use!). I went back online, and sure enough could not get the flight again, but WAS able to book two lots of one way journeys. Again, I call to book, and get told there's no availability (again, there is, just not for award miles use!)
Short of booking online next time I get the offer (now there's only OPEN MILES options left which isn't preferable), does anyone have any tips on booking flights and ensuring availability?...I can be flexible with dates, but can't find a 14 day LHR to BKK return any time in late April / early May.
Thanks
Feb 13, 2007, 10:27 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: FB Plat Lifetimer / Air NZ Airpoints
Posts: 228
Hi all
I am an Elite Platinum member and tried to book 2 seats on a LHR-BKK return flight this morning...after checking availability online, I called reservations to be told there was no more availability (there is, just not for award miles use!). I went back online, and sure enough could not get the flight again, but WAS able to book two lots of one way journeys. Again, I call to book, and get told there's no availability (again, there is, just not for award miles use!)
Short of booking online next time I get the offer (now there's only OPEN MILES options left which isn't preferable), does anyone have any tips on booking flights and ensuring availability?...I can be flexible with dates, but can't find a 14 day LHR to BKK return any time in late April / early May.
Thanks
I am an Elite Platinum member and tried to book 2 seats on a LHR-BKK return flight this morning...after checking availability online, I called reservations to be told there was no more availability (there is, just not for award miles use!). I went back online, and sure enough could not get the flight again, but WAS able to book two lots of one way journeys. Again, I call to book, and get told there's no availability (again, there is, just not for award miles use!)
Short of booking online next time I get the offer (now there's only OPEN MILES options left which isn't preferable), does anyone have any tips on booking flights and ensuring availability?...I can be flexible with dates, but can't find a 14 day LHR to BKK return any time in late April / early May.
Thanks
Feb 13, 2007, 11:45 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: klm pe
Posts: 356
The trick is to keep phoning....there are some very helpful people but also some very non-cooperative cows working at the FB helpdesk. Also you have to inform them that you are a platinum, sometimes they can't think for themselves that they can open a special booking class, but the trick is to speak to some one and if don't help you properly, just hang up and try again..
Feb 13, 2007, 12:30 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 950
Feb 13, 2007, 1:30 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 6
Hi guys
I called the European number and the lady in France didn't have a clue of what I was talking about. I called the US/Canada number and told the operator exactly what I needed (A KLM flight on the dates specified, to get access to the seats for platinum card holders, and for her to book me one of those seats specifically)...Lo and behold, the seats are booked, and the best bit is, 2 passengers LHR-BKK return only cost 80,000 Airmiles in total (that's 40,000 less than the best price the website quoted me today, the most expensive being 320,000)
Thanks for your prompting guys or I would have never have known about that.
I called the European number and the lady in France didn't have a clue of what I was talking about. I called the US/Canada number and told the operator exactly what I needed (A KLM flight on the dates specified, to get access to the seats for platinum card holders, and for her to book me one of those seats specifically)...Lo and behold, the seats are booked, and the best bit is, 2 passengers LHR-BKK return only cost 80,000 Airmiles in total (that's 40,000 less than the best price the website quoted me today, the most expensive being 320,000)
Thanks for your prompting guys or I would have never have known about that.
Feb 13, 2007, 2:59 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: AMS
Programs: KL/AF FB Plat, Hilton Silver, La Quinta Gold
Posts: 1,159
Feb 17, 2007, 12:49 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Netherlands
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M, BA Executive Club, Sofitel Plat, Priority Club, Starwood Preferred Guest
Posts: 1,447
However, my biggest issue with this is that you have to call in and, by chance, find a helpful agent to get access to these fare buckets.
That should be a standard procedure AND automated in the online system.
No bias, no favoritism, nor pleadiing should be necessary.
Feb 17, 2007, 2:02 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,527
Well that is only fair...
However, my biggest issue with this is that you have to call in and, by chance, find a helpful agent to get access to these fare buckets.
That should be a standard procedure AND automated in the online system.
No bias, no favoritism, nor pleadiing should be necessary.
However, my biggest issue with this is that you have to call in and, by chance, find a helpful agent to get access to these fare buckets.
That should be a standard procedure AND automated in the online system.
No bias, no favoritism, nor pleadiing should be necessary.
The Blue Dream !