Amex SafeKey stole my seat!
Jun 16, 23, 7:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 273
Amex SafeKey stole my seat!
Cautionary tale: I was booking a reward flight with 1 J remaining last night, but on the payment page I mistyped my Amex SafeKey verification code by 1 digit. Payment failed, booking process exited and the 1 reward seat is no longer available. I checked immediately, then after 2 and 4 hours, then a few times this morning, but nothing. Ill see if something happens after 24 hours but Im not holding my breath.
Perhaps I should have called right after payment failed, but UK call centres were closed
Perhaps I should have called right after payment failed, but UK call centres were closed
Jun 16, 23, 8:04 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 273
In your festival analogy, I imagine there were many punters trying to buy a limited amount of tickets at the same time, whereas what surprised me here was that a failed purchase attempt would remove the inventory (perhaps it was released again within the last 14 hours and someone else bought it, but the probability of that feels lower).
Jun 16, 23, 8:08 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: BER
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,824
I know, it was a lighthearted title. In your festival analogy, I imagine there were many punters trying to buy a limited amount of tickets at the same time, whereas what surprised me here was that a failed purchase attempt would remove the inventory (perhaps it was released again within the last 14 hours and someone else bought it, but the probability of that feels lower).
In your festival analogy, I imagine there were many punters trying to buy a limited amount of tickets at the same time, whereas what surprised me here was that a failed purchase attempt would remove the inventory (perhaps it was released again within the last 14 hours and someone else bought it, but the probability of that feels lower).cancelled award inventory doesn't necessarily fall back, once taken. I dont know if this applies to bookings on hold // booking processes aswell.
Jun 16, 23, 8:28 am
#5
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 12,869
I would suggest using copy/paste in future for codes and passwords. Its faster and error free. I love the way I am able to receive synchronized text messages on my laptop as well as my phone and if theres ever anything I need to copy from one device and paste onto another that works too without any noticeable delay. Makes life simpler.
Jun 16, 23, 8:49 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 273
I would suggest using copy/paste in future for codes and passwords. Its faster and error free. I love the way I am able to receive synchronized text messages on my laptop as well as my phone and if theres ever anything I need to copy from one device and paste onto another that works too without any noticeable delay. Makes life simpler.
Jun 16, 23, 8:50 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,786
I would suggest using copy/paste in future for codes and passwords. Its faster and error free. I love the way I am able to receive synchronized text messages on my laptop as well as my phone and if theres ever anything I need to copy from one device and paste onto another that works too without any noticeable delay. Makes life simpler.
Jun 16, 23, 8:59 am
#8
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 12,869
Agree with this entirely. But for anyone interested in doing this, be aware that not all websites/apps allow pasting into password fields. This is, in my view, a terrible user experience decision - not just because it breaks a known UX convention of being able to copy/paste, but also because it encourages people to use short, memorable passwords that are less likely to be secure (vs using a longer, more complex password through a password manager). But this is definitely going off topic...
Jun 16, 23, 10:28 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Cambridgeshire
Programs: Varies
Posts: 1,231
I would suggest using copy/paste in future for codes and passwords. Its faster and error free. I love the way I am able to receive synchronized text messages on my laptop as well as my phone and if theres ever anything I need to copy from one device and paste onto another that works too without any noticeable delay. Makes life simpler.
Jun 16, 23, 10:38 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: HHonors Diamond; A3 *Nothing ; BA Exec. Club Gold
Posts: 1,653
Cautionary tale: I was booking a reward flight with 1 J remaining last night, but on the payment page I mistyped my Amex SafeKey verification code by 1 digit. Payment failed, booking process exited and the 1 reward seat is no longer available. I checked immediately, then after 2 and 4 hours, then a few times this morning, but nothing. Ill see if something happens after 24 hours but Im not holding my breath.
Perhaps I should have called right after payment failed, but UK call centres were closed
Perhaps I should have called right after payment failed, but UK call centres were closed
Globalist
Jun 16, 23, 11:53 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: BAEC Bronze, Mucci recipient
Posts: 1,688
It could be that someone else was trying to buy at the same time as you and got the seat but I second calling BA. It may be stuck in limbo waiting for you to confirm payment. If it's not you could try just buying the flight for cash and reducing the cost using Avios.
Jun 16, 23, 12:45 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 11,861
I wouldn’t bank on it already being gone anyway. If it’s a busy destination and someone on the phone had already grabbed those seats, it will let you get to the payment screen then fail. On phone is best if it’s a very desirable locations
Jun 16, 23, 12:53 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 273
I would call BA. Sometimes the booking still hangs in the system waiting for payment. I had it on QR 2 months ago where my booking failed several times at the payment page and their call Center could see all 3 of them waiting for payment and asked me to choose which one I wanted to confirm.
Globalist
Globalist
Quite possibly, though this was NYC in Aug so not like trying to snag SYD the day the seats are released.
Jun 16, 23, 2:52 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BLI or CLT
Programs: The usual suspects
Posts: 1,851
Is it possible to synchronize text messages between iPhone and PC laptop? I keep getting "technically not possible" messages even if I consult my Digital Native kids. But I would love to do this. Otherwise, C&P or type carefully.
Jun 16, 23, 2:59 pm
#15
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 12,869
This site has a section with suggestions but I've not tried it.
