LOT Polish Denied Boarding in PEK
Apr 9, 2023, 4:58 pm
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 31
Hi! I'm in the exact same situation. I booked a ticket for PEK - WAW - JFK with Lifemiles for my mom departing tomorrow, but received an email yesterday from a LOT representative in their Beijing office saying she would be denied boarding. Did you email Lifemiles or just give them a call? I tried to explain the entire thing to the agent in Lifemiles but they didn't understand why this could happen, and LOT side said they would only talk to Avianca, not me. Already had a plan B but feeling so frastruated trying to reach both sides and get an answer.
Apr 9, 2023, 5:06 pm
#47
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The more complaints that the U.S. DOT gets against LOT about what is going on with these award tickets ex-PEK, the more likely that LOT will be forced -- at the risk of being heavily fined -- to do something about it.
Apr 9, 2023, 11:02 pm
#48
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 31
I don't even know what "marked as fraud" could mean. If Aeroplan thought it was fraud they would have canceled the ticket. I don't think there's any "mark" they could put on a reservation or ticket that another airline would see.
I think what happened is the LOT agents didn't understand how to validate the ticket. I had a problem once on Turkish on a UA issued award ticket where the checkin agent just couldn't figure out what to do. He had to call over a supervisor who was able to fix it in a few keystrokes and then he checked me in no problem. I've also had UA be unable to check me in on an AC issued (revenue) ticket because something was disconnected between the ticket and the reservation. Luckily I was at an airport with AC staff but they had to call their help desk to revalidate the ticket.
Something similar was wrong with your reservation -- probably something more like the Turkish case where they should have been able to fix it but they just didn't know how so they made up some story to explain the problem.
I think what happened is the LOT agents didn't understand how to validate the ticket. I had a problem once on Turkish on a UA issued award ticket where the checkin agent just couldn't figure out what to do. He had to call over a supervisor who was able to fix it in a few keystrokes and then he checked me in no problem. I've also had UA be unable to check me in on an AC issued (revenue) ticket because something was disconnected between the ticket and the reservation. Luckily I was at an airport with AC staff but they had to call their help desk to revalidate the ticket.
Something similar was wrong with your reservation -- probably something more like the Turkish case where they should have been able to fix it but they just didn't know how so they made up some story to explain the problem.
Apr 9, 2023, 11:51 pm
#49
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 62
Haha moondog, while I understand your reaction, you need to be there to fully understand and appreciate what I (and others in similar situations) was going through. How would you feel if you are not at fault and have to pay thousands of USD to find an alternative flight home? I wouldn't wish that on you.
I share my story for two reasons: (1) to get feedback on what others had experienced and how they resolved it; and (2) provide a warning on redeeming LOT Polish flights departing from PEK.
I share my story for two reasons: (1) to get feedback on what others had experienced and how they resolved it; and (2) provide a warning on redeeming LOT Polish flights departing from PEK.
I almost booked LOT redemption via Aeroplan for the route of PEK-WAW-JFK. Due to some other reasons, I end up not booking this ticket.
I felt very lucky and I am very sorry for all of these ordeal experience caused by the local LOT crew.
Apr 10, 2023, 1:20 am
#50
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
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Whilst I understand your frustration and surprise at PEK airport when being denied boarding, I also understand the suspicion and necessary decisions taken by the local PEK staff given the widespread fraud with award tickets in China as reported by another poster. Assuming that this outstation has experienced several times that pax on award ticket would not be remunerated by the issuer of the ticket due to fraud, you really can't blame the staff from taking precautions when/if they suspect fraud/that the tickets are not valid. Despite your reference to Star Alliance policty etc, let's keep in mind that there is no obligation to let pax travel if there are grounds for suspecting fraud.
Just my cents...
Just my cents...
Apr 10, 2023, 5:07 am
#51
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
Wouldn't it be better if LO just closes I-class on all flights to/from PEK (or restricts availability to M&M where they have full control over who is redeeming and if this is fraud or not) and cancels all Aeroplan am LM bookings in advance, so that folks are not surprised at the airport?
Apr 10, 2023, 11:16 am
#52
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Whilst I understand your frustration and surprise at PEK airport when being denied boarding, I also understand the suspicion and necessary decisions taken by the local PEK staff given the widespread fraud with award tickets in China as reported by another poster. Assuming that this outstation has experienced several times that pax on award ticket would not be remunerated by the issuer of the ticket due to fraud, you really can't blame the staff from taking precautions when/if they suspect fraud/that the tickets are not valid. Despite your reference to Star Alliance policty etc, let's keep in mind that there is no obligation to let pax travel if there are grounds for suspecting fraud.
Just my cents...
Just my cents...
The OP had a valid ticket confirmed by Aeroplan & the LOT callcentre, i have Zero sympathy for the LO team in PEK & i hope LO get to pay big time for denying the pax boarding
LO need to take anti fraud measures BEFORE it impacts innocent pax
Apr 10, 2023, 2:57 pm
#53
Join Date: Apr 2010
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"Suspected" fraud is, legally, the airline's problem and it's up to them to deal with it. Their obligations towards passengers are not affected or changed in any way, unless it's an actual fraud.
Apr 10, 2023, 4:02 pm
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 31
Whilst I understand your frustration and surprise at PEK airport when being denied boarding, I also understand the suspicion and necessary decisions taken by the local PEK staff given the widespread fraud with award tickets in China as reported by another poster. Assuming that this outstation has experienced several times that pax on award ticket would not be remunerated by the issuer of the ticket due to fraud, you really can't blame the staff from taking precautions when/if they suspect fraud/that the tickets are not valid. Despite your reference to Star Alliance policty etc, let's keep in mind that there is no obligation to let pax travel if there are grounds for suspecting fraud.
Just my cents...
Just my cents...
Apr 10, 2023, 4:09 pm
#55
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 31
your sharing is very helpful and very much appreciated!
I almost booked LOT redemption via Aeroplan for the route of PEK-WAW-JFK. Due to some other reasons, I end up not booking this ticket.
I felt very lucky and I am very sorry for all of these ordeal experience caused by the local LOT crew.
I almost booked LOT redemption via Aeroplan for the route of PEK-WAW-JFK. Due to some other reasons, I end up not booking this ticket.
I felt very lucky and I am very sorry for all of these ordeal experience caused by the local LOT crew.
Apr 11, 2023, 12:07 am
#56
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
Hi vennichael. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm glad that my story here was helpful to others who were / will be considering booking award tickets out of PEK on LOT Polish. I'll be happy if sharing my experience can prevent someone else having the same ordeal. This experience is something I wish others could avoid.
Apr 11, 2023, 8:50 am
#57
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,675
Whilst I understand your frustration and surprise at PEK airport when being denied boarding, I also understand the suspicion and necessary decisions taken by the local PEK staff given the widespread fraud with award tickets in China as reported by another poster. Assuming that this outstation has experienced several times that pax on award ticket would not be remunerated by the issuer of the ticket due to fraud, you really can't blame the staff from taking precautions when/if they suspect fraud/that the tickets are not valid.
Despite your reference to Star Alliance policty etc, let's keep in mind that there is no obligation to let pax travel if there are grounds for suspecting fraud.
Just my cents...
Just my cents...
Apr 11, 2023, 11:30 am
#58
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: ba silver
Posts: 729
If it's practical OP should consider suing AP and Lot jointly and severally in a Canadian scc. AP ( or Air Canada ) took payment in the form of miles plus some cash. This creates an obligation on the issuing party, regardless of who actually performs the service.
My experience is that years ago I sued a Canadian tour operator for a problem with a hotel in another country. Even though their contract said they are not liable we won our case as we paid the tour operator for the trip.
Canadian courts are very consumer friendly and you might be able to get a virtual hearing.
My experience is that years ago I sued a Canadian tour operator for a problem with a hotel in another country. Even though their contract said they are not liable we won our case as we paid the tour operator for the trip.
Canadian courts are very consumer friendly and you might be able to get a virtual hearing.
Apr 11, 2023, 12:16 pm
#59
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
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idk. We don't t have the details of this matter (other than the words of the OP) but surely something seems to have convinced the PEK staff that fraud was involved when travel was rejected. I doubt the PEK staff would make such decision without at least some indication supporting their suspicion but idk what exactly it was and the OP may not even know it either.
Apr 11, 2023, 1:41 pm
#60
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,675
idk. We don't t have the details of this matter (other than the words of the OP) but surely something seems to have convinced the PEK staff that fraud was involved when travel was rejected. I doubt the PEK staff would make such decision without at least some indication supporting their suspicion but idk what exactly it was and the OP may not even know it either.
My bets, in order of probability:
1) Overzealous / rogue action by the airport agent, based on prejudice, not facts.
2) Perhaps a full flight in J and the agent wanting to "upgrade" a buddy of theirs.