The Definitive "How To Search for Low Tier Business Awards"
Apr 11, 2013, 5:12 pm
#1831
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SEA - DL DM/2MM, *A Gold, SPG Lifetime Plat, some other car and hotel stuff
Posts: 5,649
From milepost 598:
KVS, has anything changed on this front? (Sorry I haven't read every subsequent post in this thread.)
I am trying to book 2 J seats on KQ for BKK-CAN. According to your tool, and according to airfrance.us, there are 4 biz seats available for Skyteam awards. But the DL agent can't find them, even when they (repeatedly) try long sells, and even when the agent consults a supervisor, and even when they phone KQ (or so they say).
Any advice?
I've booked on CZ as a backup, but the KQ flights would be preferred.
...
There are definitely 2+ Award seats available on KQ 116 in both C & Y.
For tips on dealing with Agents, who may claim otherwise, please see http://Help.KVSTool.com/#AgentSaysNo...
There are definitely 2+ Award seats available on KQ 116 in both C & Y.
For tips on dealing with Agents, who may claim otherwise, please see http://Help.KVSTool.com/#AgentSaysNo...
I am trying to book 2 J seats on KQ for BKK-CAN. According to your tool, and according to airfrance.us, there are 4 biz seats available for Skyteam awards. But the DL agent can't find them, even when they (repeatedly) try long sells, and even when the agent consults a supervisor, and even when they phone KQ (or so they say).
Any advice?
I've booked on CZ as a backup, but the KQ flights would be preferred.
Apr 11, 2013, 5:21 pm
#1832
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: KUL/TPA/OTP
Programs: UA1k, DL
Posts: 3,138
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3G: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 6_1_2 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/536.26 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0 Mobile/10B146 Safari/8536.25)
Try calling DL's Hong Kong desk. I have had success many times with them booking awards the US agents could not see.
Originally Posted by andymo99
From milepost 598:
KVS, has anything changed on this front? (Sorry I haven't read every subsequent post in this thread.)
I am trying to book 2 J seats on KQ for BKK-CAN. According to your tool, and according to airfrance.us, there are 4 biz seats available for Skyteam awards. But the DL agent can't find them, even when they (repeatedly) try long sells, and even when the agent consults a supervisor, and even when they phone KQ (or so they say).
Any advice?
I've booked on CZ as a backup, but the KQ flights would be preferred.
...
There are definitely 2+ Award seats available on KQ 116 in both C & Y.
For tips on dealing with Agents, who may claim otherwise, please see http://Help.KVSTool.com/#AgentSaysNo...
There are definitely 2+ Award seats available on KQ 116 in both C & Y.
For tips on dealing with Agents, who may claim otherwise, please see http://Help.KVSTool.com/#AgentSaysNo...
I am trying to book 2 J seats on KQ for BKK-CAN. According to your tool, and according to airfrance.us, there are 4 biz seats available for Skyteam awards. But the DL agent can't find them, even when they (repeatedly) try long sells, and even when the agent consults a supervisor, and even when they phone KQ (or so they say).
Any advice?
I've booked on CZ as a backup, but the KQ flights would be preferred.
Apr 11, 2013, 5:21 pm
#1833
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
From milepost 598:
KVS, has anything changed on this front? (Sorry I haven't read every subsequent post in this thread.)
I am trying to book 2 J seats on KQ for BKK-CAN. According to your tool, and according to airfrance.us, there are 4 biz seats available for Skyteam awards. But the DL agent can't find them, even when they (repeatedly) try long sells, and even when the agent consults a supervisor, and even when they phone KQ (or so they say).
Any advice?
KVS, has anything changed on this front? (Sorry I haven't read every subsequent post in this thread.)
I am trying to book 2 J seats on KQ for BKK-CAN. According to your tool, and according to airfrance.us, there are 4 biz seats available for Skyteam awards. But the DL agent can't find them, even when they (repeatedly) try long sells, and even when the agent consults a supervisor, and even when they phone KQ (or so they say).
Any advice?
Apr 11, 2013, 7:16 pm
#1834
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SEA - DL DM/2MM, *A Gold, SPG Lifetime Plat, some other car and hotel stuff
Posts: 5,649
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3G: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 6_1_2 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/536.26 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0 Mobile/10B146 Safari/8536.25)
Try calling DL's Hong Kong desk. I have had success many times with them booking awards the US agents could not see.
Try calling DL's Hong Kong desk. I have had success many times with them booking awards the US agents could not see.
Last edited by andymo99; Apr 11, 2013 at 7:35 pm
Apr 11, 2013, 7:19 pm
#1835
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: KUL/TPA/OTP
Programs: UA1k, DL
Posts: 3,138
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Do you have info on how I can get the HKG desk? Apologize if the info is buried within this thread somewhere.
No need for apologies. (852) 2810-4288 should get you there. May cost you a few bucks but if they can't book the award, no one can.
Originally Posted by andymo99
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3G: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 6_1_2 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/536.26 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0 Mobile/10B146 Safari/8536.25)
Try calling DL's Hong Kong desk. I have had success many times with them booking awards the US agents could not see.
Try calling DL's Hong Kong desk. I have had success many times with them booking awards the US agents could not see.
Apr 11, 2013, 8:18 pm
#1836
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SEA - DL DM/2MM, *A Gold, SPG Lifetime Plat, some other car and hotel stuff
Posts: 5,649
HKG center is the magic solution!
I tried everything posted at the KVS FAQ:
The HKG agent went through the process and said it came back unconfirmed. However, she had the patience to call KQ, at which point she was able to get it all confirmed! She then had to review some aspect with her supervisor, and as promised, she called me back after just a few minutes. Now it is all set.
Some details: In this case, it was pretty low stakes. I'm not trying to get to a small city from NBO. Rather, I was booking on BKK-CAN, and there is a CZ flight with nearly identical flight times. But I figured I'd like to try the KQ 777 with its lie flats (never flown KQ), rather than a more familiar 738 on CZ. It turns out I even have to pony up 2 x $73.20 "surcharge" for the privilege. Oh well.
The bigger deal would be when you actually NEED to fly on KQ b/c there are no alternatives available.
Thanks to those who provided help with this, especially KVS and Denolloyd.
I tried everything posted at the KVS FAQ:
- Confirmed with KVS (the man himself) that there is inventory (he confirmed I'm not seeing things; it is in fact O4 and I only need 2 seats); it also shows available via AF website
- Laid out the precise flight for the agent
- Insisted they try a long sell (which repeatedly comes back unconfirmed)
- Escalated to supervisor (twice)
- Asked them to call KQ - and they said there was no answer
- Called back to get a different agent
- ... and then finally called the HKG center which is reportedly the best at this
The HKG agent went through the process and said it came back unconfirmed. However, she had the patience to call KQ, at which point she was able to get it all confirmed! She then had to review some aspect with her supervisor, and as promised, she called me back after just a few minutes. Now it is all set.
Some details: In this case, it was pretty low stakes. I'm not trying to get to a small city from NBO. Rather, I was booking on BKK-CAN, and there is a CZ flight with nearly identical flight times. But I figured I'd like to try the KQ 777 with its lie flats (never flown KQ), rather than a more familiar 738 on CZ. It turns out I even have to pony up 2 x $73.20 "surcharge" for the privilege. Oh well.
The bigger deal would be when you actually NEED to fly on KQ b/c there are no alternatives available.
Thanks to those who provided help with this, especially KVS and Denolloyd.
Apr 11, 2013, 8:26 pm
#1838
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: KUL/TPA/OTP
Programs: UA1k, DL
Posts: 3,138
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TATL also. Last year when AF O inventory disappeared, these folks were able to get me booked. I call HK or SIN for partner awards tickets I can't book online.
Originally Posted by wco81
Do they only do Asian flights or TATL flights too?
Apr 11, 2013, 8:27 pm
#1839
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: KUL/TPA/OTP
Programs: UA1k, DL
Posts: 3,138
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3G: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 6_1_2 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/536.26 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0 Mobile/10B146 Safari/8536.25)
Lovely folks indeed. Happy it worked out for you!
Originally Posted by andymo99
HKG center is the magic solution!
I tried everything posted at the KVS FAQ:
The HKG agent went through the process and said it came back unconfirmed. However, she had the patience to call KQ, at which point she was able to get it all confirmed! She then had to review some aspect with her supervisor, and as promised, she called me back after just a few minutes. Now it is all set.
Some details: In this case, it was pretty low stakes. I'm not trying to get to a small city from NBO. Rather, I was booking on BKK-CAN, and there is a CZ flight with nearly identical flight times. But I figured I'd like to try the KQ 777 with its lie flats (never flown KQ), rather than a more familiar 738 on CZ. It turns out I even have to pony up 2 x $73.20 "surcharge" for the privilege. Oh well.
The bigger deal would be when you actually NEED to fly on KQ b/c there are no alternatives available.
Thanks to those who provided help with this, especially KVS and Denolloyd.
I tried everything posted at the KVS FAQ:
- Confirmed with KVS (the man himself) that there is inventory (he confirmed I'm not seeing things; it is in fact O4 and I only need 2 seats); it also shows available via AF website
- Laid out the precise flight for the agent
- Insisted they try a long sell (which repeatedly comes back unconfirmed)
- Escalated to supervisor (twice)
- Asked them to call KQ - and they said there was no answer
- Called back to get a different agent
- ... and then finally called the HKG center which is reportedly the best at this
The HKG agent went through the process and said it came back unconfirmed. However, she had the patience to call KQ, at which point she was able to get it all confirmed! She then had to review some aspect with her supervisor, and as promised, she called me back after just a few minutes. Now it is all set.
Some details: In this case, it was pretty low stakes. I'm not trying to get to a small city from NBO. Rather, I was booking on BKK-CAN, and there is a CZ flight with nearly identical flight times. But I figured I'd like to try the KQ 777 with its lie flats (never flown KQ), rather than a more familiar 738 on CZ. It turns out I even have to pony up 2 x $73.20 "surcharge" for the privilege. Oh well.
The bigger deal would be when you actually NEED to fly on KQ b/c there are no alternatives available.
Thanks to those who provided help with this, especially KVS and Denolloyd.
Apr 12, 2013, 6:31 pm
#1840
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,424
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3G: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 6_1_2 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/536.26 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0 Mobile/10B146 Safari/8536.25)
Try calling DL's Hong Kong desk. I have had success many times with them booking awards the US agents could not see.
Try calling DL's Hong Kong desk. I have had success many times with them booking awards the US agents could not see.
Apr 16, 2013, 7:51 pm
#1841
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
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No need for apologies. (852) 2810-4288 should get you there. May cost you a few bucks but if they can't book the award, no one can.
No need for apologies. (852) 2810-4288 should get you there. May cost you a few bucks but if they can't book the award, no one can.
Identified it correctly as a Hong Kong SAR number.
"Can't connect this call, please try again later."
Apr 16, 2013, 8:00 pm
#1842
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: KUL/TPA/OTP
Programs: UA1k, DL
Posts: 3,138
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This number isn't working for me. I'm trying it with the Rebtel iPhone app.
Identified it correctly as a Hong Kong SAR number.
"Can't connect this call, please try again later."
Looks like the number changes on the site. It's now listed as 800965716.
Originally Posted by wco81
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No need for apologies. (852) 2810-4288 should get you there. May cost you a few bucks but if they can't book the award, no one can.
No need for apologies. (852) 2810-4288 should get you there. May cost you a few bucks but if they can't book the award, no one can.
Identified it correctly as a Hong Kong SAR number.
"Can't connect this call, please try again later."
Apr 16, 2013, 8:30 pm
#1843
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
I dialed +852 800 965 716.
Recorded message in Chinese.
Waited for about a minute, more recorded Chinese. Hung up.
Apr 16, 2013, 8:52 pm
#1844
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: KUL/TPA/OTP
Programs: UA1k, DL
Posts: 3,138
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Which site is it? I couldn't find it in Google.
I dialed +852 800 965 716.
Recorded message in Chinese.
Waited for about a minute, more recorded Chinese. Hung up.
Delta.com.
Originally Posted by wco81
I dialed +852 800 965 716.
Recorded message in Chinese.
Waited for about a minute, more recorded Chinese. Hung up.
Apr 17, 2013, 5:49 pm
#1845
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
OK, tried that number again and finally, after the Chinese messages, it said, "if you want assistance in English, press 3."
They didn't find an award for me but she checked for awhile.
So good resource to have for the future.
They didn't find an award for me but she checked for awhile.
So good resource to have for the future.