Beware of your multiple bookings! DeltaMatic is on the lookout for you!
#1
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
Beware of your multiple bookings! DeltaMatic is on the lookout for you!
Flying MSP/ATL yesterday, I had a VERY interesting observation at the gate. First off, I knew the flight was overbooked, as I was hoping for a VDB - (if you saw my other post)
Boarding was under way. A business-type guy approached the gate with (I guess) a seat request card. The GA was typing away, and couldn't find his reservation! She asked - Are you sure you're on THIS flight? - YES, he said. GA: I can't find you!
After some more typing, she said - You CANCELED this reservation! - NO, I DIDN'T, he said! GA: It was canceled at 1:56 PM! He asked - How could it be canceled if I just got this BP from a kiosk?
GA still typing away talking to another GA trying to figure out how to get him on the flight that's overbooked.
Typing away more . . . .
You're on the SIX O'CLOCK flight! - - No, I'm not! I'm on THIS flight! I have this! (seat request card) GA: There's no ticket with this reservation . . . . OH!!! It was refunded!!
WAIT A MINUTE - - - - You have - TWO - THREE - - FOUR different reservations! <brief pause> Our system canceled all of them except for the 6PM flight!
At this point, both GAs were FIRM that he would NOT get on this flight and told him it was overbooked!
I guess he doesn't read FlyerTalk!
Boarding was under way. A business-type guy approached the gate with (I guess) a seat request card. The GA was typing away, and couldn't find his reservation! She asked - Are you sure you're on THIS flight? - YES, he said. GA: I can't find you!
After some more typing, she said - You CANCELED this reservation! - NO, I DIDN'T, he said! GA: It was canceled at 1:56 PM! He asked - How could it be canceled if I just got this BP from a kiosk?
GA still typing away talking to another GA trying to figure out how to get him on the flight that's overbooked.
Typing away more . . . .
You're on the SIX O'CLOCK flight! - - No, I'm not! I'm on THIS flight! I have this! (seat request card) GA: There's no ticket with this reservation . . . . OH!!! It was refunded!!
WAIT A MINUTE - - - - You have - TWO - THREE - - FOUR different reservations! <brief pause> Our system canceled all of them except for the 6PM flight!
At this point, both GAs were FIRM that he would NOT get on this flight and told him it was overbooked!
I guess he doesn't read FlyerTalk!
#2
was thetravelingRedhead
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Western Michigan
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, United Silver Premier
Posts: 642
Flying MSP/ATL yesterday, I had a VERY interesting observation at the gate. First off, I knew the flight was overbooked, as I was hoping for a VDB - (if you saw my other post)
Boarding was under way. A business-type guy approached the gate with (I guess) a seat request card. The GA was typing away, and couldn't find his reservation! She asked - Are you sure you're on THIS flight? - YES, he said. GA: I can't find you!
After some more typing, she said - You CANCELED this reservation! - NO, I DIDN'T, he said! GA: It was canceled at 1:56 PM! He asked - How could it be canceled if I just got this BP from a kiosk?
GA still typing away talking to another GA trying to figure out how to get him on the flight that's overbooked.
Typing away more . . . .
You're on the SIX O'CLOCK flight! - - No, I'm not! I'm on THIS flight! I have this! (seat request card) GA: There's no ticket with this reservation . . . . OH!!! It was refunded!!
WAIT A MINUTE - - - - You have - TWO - THREE - - FOUR different reservations! <brief pause> Our system canceled all of them except for the 6PM flight!
At this point, both GAs were FIRM that he would NOT get on this flight and told him it was overbooked!
I guess he doesn't read FlyerTalk!
Boarding was under way. A business-type guy approached the gate with (I guess) a seat request card. The GA was typing away, and couldn't find his reservation! She asked - Are you sure you're on THIS flight? - YES, he said. GA: I can't find you!
After some more typing, she said - You CANCELED this reservation! - NO, I DIDN'T, he said! GA: It was canceled at 1:56 PM! He asked - How could it be canceled if I just got this BP from a kiosk?
GA still typing away talking to another GA trying to figure out how to get him on the flight that's overbooked.
Typing away more . . . .
You're on the SIX O'CLOCK flight! - - No, I'm not! I'm on THIS flight! I have this! (seat request card) GA: There's no ticket with this reservation . . . . OH!!! It was refunded!!
WAIT A MINUTE - - - - You have - TWO - THREE - - FOUR different reservations! <brief pause> Our system canceled all of them except for the 6PM flight!
At this point, both GAs were FIRM that he would NOT get on this flight and told him it was overbooked!
I guess he doesn't read FlyerTalk!
I can say first hand, from the horror stories I have heard from coworkers and what I have seen first hand at WN for example, IT is a horrendous beast. Guess its kinda why I am looking at getting into it and maybe exiting the aviation industry.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,037
Sounds like whoever did the bookings didn't have a clue. Thought if I book him on them all, he'll get on one.
Other possibility includes he kept changing his mind and just kept saying book me on X flight, never mentioning he already was on another.
Good for system catching it.
Other possibility includes he kept changing his mind and just kept saying book me on X flight, never mentioning he already was on another.
Good for system catching it.
#4
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
Back during the polar vortex in 2013/2014, I was trying to fly back from BOS. AA canceled my flight and then rebooked me on every flight, in refundable first for the next week
I can say first hand, from the horror stories I have heard from coworkers and what I have seen first hand at WN for example, IT is a horrendous beast. Guess its kinda why I am looking at getting into it and maybe exiting the aviation industry.
I can say first hand, from the horror stories I have heard from coworkers and what I have seen first hand at WN for example, IT is a horrendous beast. Guess its kinda why I am looking at getting into it and maybe exiting the aviation industry.
#5
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: TPA-MKE-PHX
Programs: Ex DL-DM. MM. TWA-Aviator Plat. HHonors-DVIP, MR-Gold. Nat-Emerald. Avis Chairmn.
Posts: 1,925
I have never had four different same day bookings, but I have frequently two. and I have never had a problem. Maybe four is the magic number.
#6
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BWI
Programs: DL FO
Posts: 312
I wonder if the overbooking triggered the sweep and cancellations. I can see that being an automated first step - see if there are any passengers you can boot for "free" based on multi bookings or other violations of contract of carriage/terms of service.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: Delta GM, AA Gold
Posts: 65
WAIT A MINUTE - - - - You have - TWO - THREE - - FOUR different reservations! <brief pause> Our system canceled all of them except for the 6PM flight!
At this point, both GAs were FIRM that he would NOT get on this flight and told him it was overbooked!
I guess he doesn't read FlyerTalk!
At this point, both GAs were FIRM that he would NOT get on this flight and told him it was overbooked!
I guess he doesn't read FlyerTalk!
Not to doubt your story, but I wonder how this can be. (I am questioning what Delta does.) I've had an experience with a lengthy delay due to MX and went to the Skyclub. It was a rolling delay, so by the time I went to the club, my noon flight was delayed to 5pm. There were 2 other flights that same day: first one (around 3pm) was almost full and the second one was at 8pm. The Skyclub attendant confirmed me on both flights. The confirmation on the 3pm flight was a "seat request" so I had to show up at the gate early, and the 8pm confirmation was a "just in case" I don't get on the 3pm and they further delay or cancel my original flight. So I had 3 confirmations in the system.
Long story short... Somehow, me logging into my Delta app did something and I was now standing by for the 3pm flight and didn't get on it. My original flight was delayed until 9pm, so I got on the 8pm flight. I later learned that my original flight ended up being cancelled.
I'm just curious that if Delta wouldn't allow multiple confirmations on the same day, how did the Skyclub agent swing that one?
...and by the way, thank God she did. I needed to get to my destination that day and she did it!
#8
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,233
I have mentioned this many times. I have been booked on different flights operating about the same times (situation where i was confirmed on a nonrefundable ticket and needed to end up in a different destination, so it was less expensive to just book a new reservation). Within hour, I got a message that I was on two flights and to cancel one or they would both cancel. I am sure that frequent flyer numbers, names and birth dates make it very easy to Delta to find these and deal with them. I would never risk it again.
They can also track back to back tickets. I have seen that also. Not saying
they find all of them, but it is only a matter of time.
They can also track back to back tickets. I have seen that also. Not saying
they find all of them, but it is only a matter of time.
#9
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
Not to doubt your story, but I wonder how this can be. (I am questioning what Delta does.) I've had an experience with a lengthy delay due to MX and went to the Skyclub. It was a rolling delay, so by the time I went to the club, my noon flight was delayed to 5pm. There were 2 other flights that same day: first one (around 3pm) was almost full and the second one was at 8pm. The Skyclub attendant confirmed me on both flights. The confirmation on the 3pm flight was a "seat request" so I had to show up at the gate early, and the 8pm confirmation was a "just in case" I don't get on the 3pm and they further delay or cancel my original flight. So I had 3 confirmations in the system.
Long story short... Somehow, me logging into my Delta app did something and I was now standing by for the 3pm flight and didn't get on it. My original flight was delayed until 9pm, so I got on the 8pm flight. I later learned that my original flight ended up being cancelled.
I'm just curious that if Delta wouldn't allow multiple confirmations on the same day, how did the Skyclub agent swing that one?
...and by the way, thank God she did. I needed to get to my destination that day and she did it!
Long story short... Somehow, me logging into my Delta app did something and I was now standing by for the 3pm flight and didn't get on it. My original flight was delayed until 9pm, so I got on the 8pm flight. I later learned that my original flight ended up being cancelled.
I'm just curious that if Delta wouldn't allow multiple confirmations on the same day, how did the Skyclub agent swing that one?
...and by the way, thank God she did. I needed to get to my destination that day and she did it!
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
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Posts: 3,944
Hah, glad it wasn't just me. My one adventure dabbling in AA (via AS status) was exactly that: I held bookings on seven different flights from two different airports before I finally gave up, had them rebook me on an AS operated flight, and rented a car.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,261
- Multiple bookings between the same origination and destination on the same. For example, if you had separate bookings for AAA-BBB and BBB-CCC, or AAA-BBB and CCC-DDD, no issues with that... but if you had 2 reservations for AAA-BBB, this gets flagged.
- Multiple bookings with overlapping times, since you can't possibly be on two flights at once.
It's not only DL that looks out for this. AA is even more aggressive, and stops you from even booking if it suspects duplicate or fictitious bookings. I had a round trip AAA-BBB-AAA booked. I then tried to book another round trip, with AAA-BBB on that same day, and BBB-AAA on a future date... the website wouldn't allow it and I had to call.
#12
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
Not to doubt your story, but I wonder how this can be. (I am questioning what Delta does.) I've had an experience with a lengthy delay due to MX and went to the Skyclub. It was a rolling delay, so by the time I went to the club, my noon flight was delayed to 5pm. There were 2 other flights that same day: first one (around 3pm) was almost full and the second one was at 8pm. The Skyclub attendant confirmed me on both flights. The confirmation on the 3pm flight was a "seat request" so I had to show up at the gate early, and the 8pm confirmation was a "just in case" I don't get on the 3pm and they further delay or cancel my original flight. So I had 3 confirmations in the system.
Long story short... Somehow, me logging into my Delta app did something and I was now standing by for the 3pm flight and didn't get on it. My original flight was delayed until 9pm, so I got on the 8pm flight. I later learned that my original flight ended up being cancelled.
I'm just curious that if Delta wouldn't allow multiple confirmations on the same day, how did the Skyclub agent swing that one?
...and by the way, thank God she did. I needed to get to my destination that day and she did it!
Long story short... Somehow, me logging into my Delta app did something and I was now standing by for the 3pm flight and didn't get on it. My original flight was delayed until 9pm, so I got on the 8pm flight. I later learned that my original flight ended up being cancelled.
I'm just curious that if Delta wouldn't allow multiple confirmations on the same day, how did the Skyclub agent swing that one?
...and by the way, thank God she did. I needed to get to my destination that day and she did it!