Is Continental using Starnet blocking?
Nov 21, 2009 | 5:12 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Canada
Programs: AA LT Platinum, AX Cent so...Delta Plat, SPG Gold, etc..
Posts: 504
I'm being Starnet blocked..
I'm trying to book two 1st class miles seats to get some relatives from FLL to YVR. ANA shows this as avail:
1 12/4
(FR) US506 Fort Lauderdale Phoenix
07:00 10:12 320 First 2
2 12/4
(FR) US506 Phoenix Vancouver
11:10 13:38 320 First 2
The return is on CO so there is no issue with different availability on the return.
I called CO's gold desk and am told they don't have this, spoke to the agent and her supervisor who insisted they didn't have any way to book this. Instead they have availability only on CO flights for this route (which have awful times).
I called AP and they do have the seats avail to book.
Any tips or advice?
1 12/4
(FR) US506 Fort Lauderdale Phoenix
07:00 10:12 320 First 2
2 12/4
(FR) US506 Phoenix Vancouver
11:10 13:38 320 First 2
The return is on CO so there is no issue with different availability on the return.
I called CO's gold desk and am told they don't have this, spoke to the agent and her supervisor who insisted they didn't have any way to book this. Instead they have availability only on CO flights for this route (which have awful times).
I called AP and they do have the seats avail to book.
Any tips or advice?
Last edited by dfyant; Nov 21, 2009 at 5:16 pm Reason: clarification of book/sell
Nov 21, 2009 | 5:44 pm
#32
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If Continental is indeed following UA's rev management on StarNet, as some evidence in this thread suggests, thats pretty embarassing after tooting their own horn that they will not do it.
Lets hope its all a glitch, because seriously, if its true, how long did CO think before FT noticed?
Lets hope its all a glitch, because seriously, if its true, how long did CO think before FT noticed?
Nov 21, 2009 | 5:57 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Clinging to the edifices of a decadent past from the biggest city in America nobody really cares about.
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Posts: 9,077
What's your return date?
Edited to add: called in and CO can see the PHX-YVR but not the FLL-PHX segment -- not sure why this is the case but my guess is that it's a systems integration issue with either ANA not having up-to-date info on US (doubt that) or a glitch in the CO systems.
Either way I'm sorry for your frustration and hope that things get sorted out. FWIW everything we've heard from CO has clearly stated they're not planning on pulling the nonsense that UA does and hopefully it's just a *A integration issue.
Edited to add: called in and CO can see the PHX-YVR but not the FLL-PHX segment -- not sure why this is the case but my guess is that it's a systems integration issue with either ANA not having up-to-date info on US (doubt that) or a glitch in the CO systems.
Either way I'm sorry for your frustration and hope that things get sorted out. FWIW everything we've heard from CO has clearly stated they're not planning on pulling the nonsense that UA does and hopefully it's just a *A integration issue.
Last edited by J.Edward; Nov 21, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Nov 21, 2009 | 6:49 pm
#34
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Continental Gold Elite, United Premier Executive
Posts: 6,766
Never mind.
Last edited by HeathrowGuy; Nov 22, 2009 at 9:29 am
Nov 21, 2009 | 6:52 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
For reasons only its developers can explain well, the SHARES system is arguably the most difficult of the major airline IT systems to adapt to multi-carrier functionality (i.e., StarNet). SHARES has particular trouble in displaying OAL inventory when connecting flights are involved.
Thankfully, CO has had a MUCH smoother ride in integrating SHARES into StarNet than another Star member which basically offered minimal Star award options for months on account of a botched SHARES transition.
Thankfully, CO has had a MUCH smoother ride in integrating SHARES into StarNet than another Star member which basically offered minimal Star award options for months on account of a botched SHARES transition.
SHARES strikes again!
Nov 22, 2009 | 5:23 am
#36
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold(OWE), QF LTG, MR Plat, IHG Spire, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,156
You bet. Blocking is blocking.
If there's really a technology or connectivity issue, then there's presumably a workaround. And if there's a workaround, presumably agents have been notified and should be aware of said workaround. CO is responsible for training their staff.
Even if you say ok, well, an agent could've missed the memo, the OP said he's talked to multiple reps and nobody was able to take are of it. Either the OP is not telling the truth, or CO hasn't communicated this effectively to their agents.
How much more benefit of the doubt do they deserve?
If there's really a technology or connectivity issue, then there's presumably a workaround. And if there's a workaround, presumably agents have been notified and should be aware of said workaround. CO is responsible for training their staff.
Even if you say ok, well, an agent could've missed the memo, the OP said he's talked to multiple reps and nobody was able to take are of it. Either the OP is not telling the truth, or CO hasn't communicated this effectively to their agents.
How much more benefit of the doubt do they deserve?
Nov 22, 2009 | 8:32 am
#37
Join Date: May 2003
Location: At This Point, Only G*d Knows!
Posts: 3,467
Not so fast, while I do agree that SHARES has its issues, this problem is all about how the ticket is being sold by US and not CO who is simply making the reservation. While I do understand that you want the best for CO (at least I know that I do), I find that sometimes you come down way to hard on the company. Yes, they have their foibles, but what company/airline does not?
The ANA award site is a great tool as it allows us (the common PAX) to research award seats and assist the agents in finding awards that are customized to our personal tastes.
With regards to LX, the reservation system they use apparently does not play well with others and until LX changes systems, it looks as if ExpertFlyer or the airline phone agent is going to be the only solution.
Dan
Originally Posted by Travelguy
You are of course aware that even the fantastic ANA tool (which has been around for many years) can't see availability across all Star Alliance members (e.g. LX)?
With regards to LX, the reservation system they use apparently does not play well with others and until LX changes systems, it looks as if ExpertFlyer or the airline phone agent is going to be the only solution.
Dan
Nov 22, 2009 | 8:36 am
#38
Join Date: May 2003
Location: At This Point, Only G*d Knows!
Posts: 3,467
With Regards to US 506 FLL-YVR
Before I am willing to place the blame on CO and STARnet filtering I wanted to see if I could understand what could be happening here.
I have a good friend who is a US Chairman and I decided to give him a ring and see if he could book the award in question (FLL-YVR US 506 on 12/4) with US miles. He conferenced (sp?) in the US Chairmans line (which is probably one of the best parts of US Airways) and tried to book the award.
Here is what I discovered and clearly demonstrates that there was something else at play other than CO or STARnet filtering.
US 506 FLL-PHX 12/4 is available at both SAVER (which is offered to STAR Alliance partners) and STANDARD (which is generally not offered to STAR Alliance partners) award levels.
US 506 PHX-YVR 12/4 is available at both SAVER (which is offered to STAR Alliance partners) and STANDARD (which is generally not offered to STAR Alliance partners) award levels.
US 506 FLL-YVR 12/4 is only available at the STANDARD (which is generally not offered to STAR Alliance partners) award level.
The agent explained that if a flight is sold as a DIRECT (this is important) flight, regardless of each segment being available at SAVER award levels, the flight is priced out as one segment and in this case, the segment US 506 FLL-YVR on 12/4 which is not available at the SAVER award level.
This matches up directly with the ANA tool which shows US 506 FLL-PHX and US 506 PHX-YVR as available, but not the direct flight US 506 FLL-YVR.
I then called up CO and was able to see and book US 506 FLL-PHX, but if I then added US 506 PHX-YVR, she was unable to see and book that segment. She then started with US 506 PHX-YVR and was able to see and book that segment, but then was unable to see and book US 506 FLL-PHX. She then surmised exactly the same thing that the US agent explained, if a flight is sold as a Direct flight, you cannot break the two segments, even though they are available as two separate segments.
Hope that clears things up,
Dan
I have a good friend who is a US Chairman and I decided to give him a ring and see if he could book the award in question (FLL-YVR US 506 on 12/4) with US miles. He conferenced (sp?) in the US Chairmans line (which is probably one of the best parts of US Airways) and tried to book the award.
Here is what I discovered and clearly demonstrates that there was something else at play other than CO or STARnet filtering.
US 506 FLL-PHX 12/4 is available at both SAVER (which is offered to STAR Alliance partners) and STANDARD (which is generally not offered to STAR Alliance partners) award levels.
US 506 PHX-YVR 12/4 is available at both SAVER (which is offered to STAR Alliance partners) and STANDARD (which is generally not offered to STAR Alliance partners) award levels.
US 506 FLL-YVR 12/4 is only available at the STANDARD (which is generally not offered to STAR Alliance partners) award level.
The agent explained that if a flight is sold as a DIRECT (this is important) flight, regardless of each segment being available at SAVER award levels, the flight is priced out as one segment and in this case, the segment US 506 FLL-YVR on 12/4 which is not available at the SAVER award level.
This matches up directly with the ANA tool which shows US 506 FLL-PHX and US 506 PHX-YVR as available, but not the direct flight US 506 FLL-YVR.
I then called up CO and was able to see and book US 506 FLL-PHX, but if I then added US 506 PHX-YVR, she was unable to see and book that segment. She then started with US 506 PHX-YVR and was able to see and book that segment, but then was unable to see and book US 506 FLL-PHX. She then surmised exactly the same thing that the US agent explained, if a flight is sold as a Direct flight, you cannot break the two segments, even though they are available as two separate segments.
Hope that clears things up,
Dan
Nov 22, 2009 | 9:14 am
#39
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Here is what I discovered and clearly demonstrates that there was something else at play other than CO or STARnet filtering.
US 506 FLL-PHX 12/4 is available at both SAVER (which is offered to STAR Alliance partners) and STANDARD (which is generally not offered to STAR Alliance partners) award levels.
US 506 PHX-YVR 12/4 is available at both SAVER (which is offered to STAR Alliance partners) and STANDARD (which is generally not offered to STAR Alliance partners) award levels.
US 506 FLL-YVR 12/4 is only available at the STANDARD (which is generally not offered to STAR Alliance partners) award level.
US 506 FLL-PHX 12/4 is available at both SAVER (which is offered to STAR Alliance partners) and STANDARD (which is generally not offered to STAR Alliance partners) award levels.
US 506 PHX-YVR 12/4 is available at both SAVER (which is offered to STAR Alliance partners) and STANDARD (which is generally not offered to STAR Alliance partners) award levels.
US 506 FLL-YVR 12/4 is only available at the STANDARD (which is generally not offered to STAR Alliance partners) award level.
Time to put the foil hats away; this conspiracy seems to be put to rest.
Nov 22, 2009 | 9:23 am
#40
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Continental Gold Elite, United Premier Executive
Posts: 6,766
Hey, even on a bad day, CO's award booking-related IT FAR outclasses that of Delta's.
Nov 22, 2009 | 9:25 am
#41
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Clinging to the edifices of a decadent past from the biggest city in America nobody really cares about.
Programs: (ಠ_ಠ)
Posts: 9,077
Nov 22, 2009 | 9:26 am
#42
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold(OWE), QF LTG, MR Plat, IHG Spire, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,156
FWIW CA and FM also do not display on the ANA tool.
Nov 22, 2009 | 9:34 am
#43
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 11,179
I was thinking of returning to Continental this year for some flights and trying them out.
Only because of the Star Alliance factor
I left them over poor award availabilty in the late 90s and never looked back
At One World I must say I rarely have a problem finding seats on AA/BA/Iberia/ Cathay.Qantas can be real tough but even then I managed to score a seat on the new 380 in First 90 days before departure
Not convinced early on its worth a return to Continental until the full jury is out and the final verdict is in
Only because of the Star Alliance factor
I left them over poor award availabilty in the late 90s and never looked back
At One World I must say I rarely have a problem finding seats on AA/BA/Iberia/ Cathay.Qantas can be real tough but even then I managed to score a seat on the new 380 in First 90 days before departure
Not convinced early on its worth a return to Continental until the full jury is out and the final verdict is in
Nov 22, 2009 | 9:38 am
#44
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Posts: 23,584
LX/CA/FM as well as all others are displayed by AC's Aeroplan booking engine, although its a pain in the butt to use.
Nov 22, 2009 | 9:40 am
#45
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Clinging to the edifices of a decadent past from the biggest city in America nobody really cares about.
Programs: (ಠ_ಠ)
Posts: 9,077
As for coming back to CO --- don't know who you're with on OW (guessing AA) but EXP is far stronger then CO Plat and I don't know if I'd give that up just for "better" mileage redemption offerings then compared to OW (to say nothing of schedule & routes from your main cities.)
Plus if you want *A awards you can always pump in MR points to CO (or NH) or sign up for a Chase card (currently think there's a 45k offer floating around right now) and then redeem for the flights you want.