"You're on flyertalk. I work for the company. Who do you think knows more about BA?"
Jun 23, 2018, 12:39 am
#16
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
Bobby (I can call you Bobby, can’t I? 
)
Most agents I have dealt with on the gold line have been very helpful and do all they can to find what I want and help with any issues. I have only ever had one problem with an agent and that was somebody who claimed that I was cheating the system by trying to book an ex-EU and that it wasn’t a valid fare.
)Most agents I have dealt with on the gold line have been very helpful and do all they can to find what I want and help with any issues. I have only ever had one problem with an agent and that was somebody who claimed that I was cheating the system by trying to book an ex-EU and that it wasn’t a valid fare.
Jun 23, 2018, 12:43 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: A hop, skip and jump away from MAN.
Programs: BAEC Gold, ex-VS Gold, ex-UA Gold, Premier Inn Platinum-Iridium
Posts: 1,114
From a customer service point of view, that individual on the other end of the phone sounds downright foul. Wow. That would be a HUCA and hope you get someone else next time.
Jun 23, 2018, 1:37 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAGGL, A3G, Accor Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, LHW Sterling
Posts: 1,308
Bobby (I can call you Bobby, can’t I? )
Most agents I have dealt with on the gold line have been very helpful and do all they can to find what I want and help with any issues. I have only ever had one problem with an agent and that was somebody who claimed that I was cheating the system by trying to book an ex-EU and that it wasn’t a valid fare.
)Most agents I have dealt with on the gold line have been very helpful and do all they can to find what I want and help with any issues. I have only ever had one problem with an agent and that was somebody who claimed that I was cheating the system by trying to book an ex-EU and that it wasn’t a valid fare.
Jun 23, 2018, 2:11 am
#19
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
I can understand exactly where the agent is coming from, although I don't condone any rudeness.
We all know that such bookings can be a test of both availability and the technology between airlines. The best way in my view is to be diplomatic rather than trying to be a smart arse.....the comment at the end about FT really just comes across as childish point scoring as does responding to the agent suggesting a Weds callback by saying I'll call Monday. Unnecessary really, when all that was needed was "thanks and goodbye".
The bit about Bobby/Robert/Rob is also relatively trivial. I don't know what was on the agent's records however I note the OP signs off as Bobby so it can't be that distressing. Amazing how we all find multiple faults when things don't go our way.
We all know that such bookings can be a test of both availability and the technology between airlines. The best way in my view is to be diplomatic rather than trying to be a smart arse.....the comment at the end about FT really just comes across as childish point scoring as does responding to the agent suggesting a Weds callback by saying I'll call Monday. Unnecessary really, when all that was needed was "thanks and goodbye".
The bit about Bobby/Robert/Rob is also relatively trivial. I don't know what was on the agent's records however I note the OP signs off as Bobby so it can't be that distressing. Amazing how we all find multiple faults when things don't go our way.
Jun 23, 2018, 2:17 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
So yes, HUACA, and got trough to a much more pleasant agent who sorted exactly what I wanted.
Sadly all business have their problem staff who think they make the rules.
Jun 23, 2018, 3:19 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: All over the place often South Wales and Lake District
Programs: BA Gold for Life Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,552
I can understand exactly where the agent is coming from, although I don't condone any rudeness.
We all know that such bookings can be a test of both availability and the technology between airlines. The best way in my view is to be diplomatic rather than trying to be a smart arse.....the comment at the end about FT really just comes across as childish point scoring as does responding to the agent suggesting a Weds callback by saying I'll call Monday. Unnecessary really, when all that was needed was "thanks and goodbye".
The bit about Bobby/Robert/Rob is also relatively trivial. I don't know what was on the agent's records however I note the OP signs off as Bobby so it can't be that distressing. Amazing how we all find multiple faults when things don't go our way.
We all know that such bookings can be a test of both availability and the technology between airlines. The best way in my view is to be diplomatic rather than trying to be a smart arse.....the comment at the end about FT really just comes across as childish point scoring as does responding to the agent suggesting a Weds callback by saying I'll call Monday. Unnecessary really, when all that was needed was "thanks and goodbye".
The bit about Bobby/Robert/Rob is also relatively trivial. I don't know what was on the agent's records however I note the OP signs off as Bobby so it can't be that distressing. Amazing how we all find multiple faults when things don't go our way.
Jun 23, 2018, 3:31 am
#22
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,657
Actually i probably wouldnt recommend that in case they get different award availability vs BA which is likely.
Jun 23, 2018, 3:36 am
#23
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: LON
Programs: AA : BA
Posts: 276
My main questions for the team here are:
1) Is there any way aside from calling up again to purchase the redemption before next Wednesday (I'm not even holding out much hope I'll be able to do it then)? - I don't have an AAdvantage account and don't mind opening one up if I can easily transfer Avios there without losing their relative value.
Bobby.
1) Is there any way aside from calling up again to purchase the redemption before next Wednesday (I'm not even holding out much hope I'll be able to do it then)? - I don't have an AAdvantage account and don't mind opening one up if I can easily transfer Avios there without losing their relative value.
Bobby.
Jun 23, 2018, 5:26 am
#25
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
2. Was it tongue in cheek, best use
if so3. Irritating yes, disrespectful would depend on whether done deliberately as a wind up.
Jun 23, 2018, 6:08 am
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Basingstoke, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 54
Jun 23, 2018, 6:27 am
#27
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,158
Just for information; you do not need an AAdvantage account to check for AA award availability, you can do this from the main aa.com page. Look for MilesSaaver awards in any cabin and these should be bookable by BA on Avios. There are still issues displaying this availability on the BA web site and according to some, BA agents also may have trouble seeing the availability. However, them not seeing it does not mean it is not available and I would encourage you to stay firm.
Jun 23, 2018, 6:28 am
#28
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/NYC/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,133
Jun 23, 2018, 7:31 am
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,199
Chances are they've never heard of Flyertalk anyway and if they have they most likely won't have a positive impression of it. I reckon I would have ended the conversation with the agent much earlier than the OP did.....most likely as soon as they told me I would be charged the offline booking fee.
Jun 23, 2018, 7:40 am
#30
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,657