Oxymore

For those of you whose reservation seems "frozen", does your e-ticket still show all segments "open for use", or is any segment shown as "suspended"? Also, the inability to change seats may simply be due to Alitalia's notoriously poor IT.

honzeek_cz

One LH segment in each of the reservations is showing as under airport control.

Oxymore

Is the segment operated by another airline (AF,DL)? If so, that's normal, supposing the other segments are open for use.

honzeek_cz

Actually you are right, its for both AF segments.

I would like to know how this plays out asap, as I already have my return ticket from YYZ booked (have had it before this came up, was originally going to use one way #award )

bmibaby737

idiosyncrasy

Does it literally say "locked"? or "Sorry, it was not possible to proceed with your request, we apologize for the inconvenience; if you want, please contact us for further information"?

Because locked is one thing and Alitalia IT is another.

bmibaby737

idiosyncrasy

I wouldn't worry about that.

CX828

So why did AZ say my ticket wasn't eligible to fly in J and was waiting a decision from AZ.com department over whether or not it will be accepted or re-ticketed to coach? Do you honestly think I am the only one and yours is fine because you didn't call and it's a secret? The airline can retrieve all bookings made at this price, and is fully aware of what happened. The only hope is they don't bother to communicate and still let people fly in J, but as it stands from the AZ representative I spoke to, they have yet to make this decision internally and it's still under investigation . . .

My point here is ... as AZ don't seem to be very good with communication, and some people need to book positioning flights and accommodation, it may be worth calling to find out yourself and adding some more data points.

I was put on hold while they looked into the booking, and the call center seemed fully aware of these particular tickets. I for one am not prepared to invest in hotels and other flights, if I can't be 100% sure I will be flown in J. At this point I am not 100% sure. Neither is the airline 100% sure . . .

bmibaby737

KiteM

Oxymore

For the record, it seems like it's the second conversation with the AZ call center reported here during which people are told their tickets are fine (I think madeiraportugal's was the other one). And it's good to hear that the "locked" reservation issue is likely nothing more that some kind of IT failure, even if you didn't get the full explanation.

Madeiraportugal

Yes, it was me. and have it recorded.

JonEJacobs

irishguy28

Alitalia is not a one-man operation. You cannot ring up and speak to the person that will ultimately decide on the fate of these tickets, so engaging with someone on an Alitalia phoneline, or getting them to "confirm" that the reservation exists in the form that you can already see yourself by checking your reservation, in no way prevents the possibility of future changes being made to your ticket.

Think of it this way - today, you might have a confirmed ticket, on a Lufthansa flight that is set to operate without delay, and a specific seat has been assigned. That does not insulate you against any future flight changes/cancellations/bumping. Lufthansa may change the plane type tomorrow and you lose your seat; problems may occur and the flight gets delayed or cancelled; they may severely overbook and your confirmed ticket may not be accepted for travel on the service you were previously advised would operate without any hitch; they may decide to cancel the route, and rebook you on a completely different itinerary on their partners or offer you a full refund. Being assured to day that something is true, doesn't mean it can't change in the future.

Speaking to a third-party contractor sitting in a call centre in Albania and "enquiring" about your reservation will just result in a low-level employee - or non-employee - merely telling you what they see on their screen, which is unlikely to be any different than what you can call up on your screen. It in no way acts as a "test" for Alitalia to immediately come to a final decision on the fate of your ticket, so ringing up in order to "secure" your ticket (if that's the reason) is pointless. The person who you speak to will have no authority to make any such decisions, and is unlikely to have any interest in flagging your ticket for further investigation (you can be sure AZ know all about your ticket already). The person you are speaking to is, in fact, more interested in getting you off the line ASAP.

By all means, ring up for a seat assignment if you want. Just don't expect that merely calling up will fortify your booking in any meaningful way.

If a decision is taken to void/cancel these tickets, it can still be taken at any time, and will be taken in a totally different venue, by people of a much higher pay grade. And they will do so on their own schedule - they will not be bound in any way by the timing of your call.

Ringing up to have a low-level Alitalia employee/non-employee confirm what you already know - that the booking exists - in no way gives you any further evidence/protection than you already have by your e-ticket and printed confirmations.

Your booking is valid, until it isn't.