WARNING: AT&T Worldnet (AAdvantage internet promotion) slamming
Jan 22, 2003 | 8:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA Gold MM; AA Gold MM; WN A-List; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold; Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 24,564
WARNING: AT&T Worldnet (AAdvantage internet promotion) slamming
A warning for those who take advantage (pun intended) of the current AA promotion offering 10,000 AAdvantage miles for signing up for two+ months of AT&T Worldnet internet access. . .
I signed up for the AA/AT&T promotion at the end of December on the internet (http://download.att.net/aaweb/). Without my consent, against my will, and without prior notice, AT&T took the liberty of switching my long distance phone service from Sprint to AT&T -- a classic case of slamming. I distinctly remember declining to check the additional boxes offering me deals for signing up for various AT&T telephone services. All I wanted was the internet service because that's all the promotion required to earn the 10,000 AAdvantage miles.
No biggie, right? Wrong! I am currently in the waning days of the much ballyhooed Sprint/Northwest 40,000 mile promotion that rewards 18 consecutive months of Spring long distance service with a very generous 40,000 WorldPerks miles. To date I have been credited with 30,000 miles, with only one 10,000 mile posting remaining (with a little over two months remaining for me to complete my end of the deal). The problem, of course, is that those last 10,000 WorldPerks miles are in jeopardy thanks to AT&T's slamming practice. Sure, I probably will still get the appropriate credit, but only after wasting countless time and effort contacting AT&T, Sprint, and my local telephone provider. Boy am I thrilled.
I may be in the distinct minority of those who are consecutively pursuing both offers. For those of you who are similarly situated, the poison pill of AT&T internet service might be the loss of your remaining WorldPerks miles under the promotion. So watch out!
For those of you who don't have any mileage related ties to your long distance provider, you still may not be thrilled with the prospect of AT&T generously usurping a position as your long distance provider. You too should watch out and consider this possible disadvantage to the AT&T/AA offer. 10,000 AAdvantage miles for $43.90 is a fantastic deal, but not with these types of strings attached.
[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited 01-22-2003).]
[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited 01-22-2003).]
I signed up for the AA/AT&T promotion at the end of December on the internet (http://download.att.net/aaweb/). Without my consent, against my will, and without prior notice, AT&T took the liberty of switching my long distance phone service from Sprint to AT&T -- a classic case of slamming. I distinctly remember declining to check the additional boxes offering me deals for signing up for various AT&T telephone services. All I wanted was the internet service because that's all the promotion required to earn the 10,000 AAdvantage miles.
No biggie, right? Wrong! I am currently in the waning days of the much ballyhooed Sprint/Northwest 40,000 mile promotion that rewards 18 consecutive months of Spring long distance service with a very generous 40,000 WorldPerks miles. To date I have been credited with 30,000 miles, with only one 10,000 mile posting remaining (with a little over two months remaining for me to complete my end of the deal). The problem, of course, is that those last 10,000 WorldPerks miles are in jeopardy thanks to AT&T's slamming practice. Sure, I probably will still get the appropriate credit, but only after wasting countless time and effort contacting AT&T, Sprint, and my local telephone provider. Boy am I thrilled.
I may be in the distinct minority of those who are consecutively pursuing both offers. For those of you who are similarly situated, the poison pill of AT&T internet service might be the loss of your remaining WorldPerks miles under the promotion. So watch out!
For those of you who don't have any mileage related ties to your long distance provider, you still may not be thrilled with the prospect of AT&T generously usurping a position as your long distance provider. You too should watch out and consider this possible disadvantage to the AT&T/AA offer. 10,000 AAdvantage miles for $43.90 is a fantastic deal, but not with these types of strings attached.
[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited 01-22-2003).]
[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited 01-22-2003).]
Jan 22, 2003 | 9:00 pm
#2
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA Gold MM; AA Gold MM; WN A-List; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold; Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 24,564
I hope the previous message is posted in the correct forum. I assume it is since it implicates not one, but two separate frequent flier programs (American AAdvantage and Northwest WorldPerks) and two telephone providers (AT&T and Sprint). If somebody with more technical knowledge that I wants to cross-post this message (or provide a link) in another relevant forum (especially Northwest and American; perhaps also AT&T, Sprint, and S.P.A.M.), you have my permission and encouragement. Hopefully, nobody else suffers this problem.
Jan 22, 2003 | 9:16 pm
#3
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA Gold MM; AA Gold MM; WN A-List; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold; Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 24,564
I called AT&T customer service tonight and after an agonizing wait, they tried to pass the buck for the slamming, attempting to blame my local telephone provider (SBC) for the switch in my long distance service from Sprint to AT&T. Get real! Come on AT&T: why would SBC engage in the illegal practice of slamming by switching my long distance service to AT&T, a big competitor of theirs? Assuming SBC was foolish enough to try to slam me, wouldn't it make a little more sense for them to reap the fruits of the practice by switching my long distance service to themself (e.g. Sprint to SBC)? I doubt they would deliberately break the law to help AT&T.
AT&T also tried to insinuate that the switching of my long distance service might be part and parcel of my signing up for Worldnet internet access. I think not. Maybe they should read their own fine print (from their FAQ page):
"What other AT&T Worldnet Service charges, if any, might I incur? This price does not include any amount that may be charged by you telephone service provider to connect to AT&T Worldnet Service through an available access number and any applicable taxes. Your telephone service provider may charge you for calling the AT&T Worldnet Service access numbers. Please check with your telephone service provider to determine which access numbers may be dialed without charge prior to selecting a telephone number to access AT&T Worldnet Service."
Unless I am misreading that legalese (and I am a lawyer, mind you), the fine print clearly contemplates (and even warns you of the consequences of) continuing your non-AT&T local service. Nice try, AT&T.
[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited 01-22-2003).]
AT&T also tried to insinuate that the switching of my long distance service might be part and parcel of my signing up for Worldnet internet access. I think not. Maybe they should read their own fine print (from their FAQ page):
"What other AT&T Worldnet Service charges, if any, might I incur? This price does not include any amount that may be charged by you telephone service provider to connect to AT&T Worldnet Service through an available access number and any applicable taxes. Your telephone service provider may charge you for calling the AT&T Worldnet Service access numbers. Please check with your telephone service provider to determine which access numbers may be dialed without charge prior to selecting a telephone number to access AT&T Worldnet Service."
Unless I am misreading that legalese (and I am a lawyer, mind you), the fine print clearly contemplates (and even warns you of the consequences of) continuing your non-AT&T local service. Nice try, AT&T.
[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited 01-22-2003).]
Jan 23, 2003 | 12:57 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Programs: LH Senator, Million Miler but now only Silver DL, No status AA
Posts: 134
It's possible to contact your local telephone company and put a "block" on your long distance service being switched. I think you can still change LD companies, but it then requires actual written permission...not just AT&T saying that you OK'd it. This prevents you from ever being slammed.
Jan 23, 2003 | 4:22 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: (SNA) Orange County, California USA
Posts: 3,641
Excellent advice, BruiserB. In phone company language the "block" you are referring to is a "Pic Lock" or "Pic Freeze."
For each of your phone numbers, it is important to place two "blocks," one for the long distance carrier and one for the local toll carrier. When you request a block, your phone company may not block both types of traffic. Even if you use the same carrier, it is still necessary to request that both types of traffic be blocked. I learned this the hard way.
It's a good idea to verify your current landline carriers on a regular basis from each of your different phone numbers, IMHO.
To verify your current landline carriers (at no charge):
These numbers are intended for landline verification only and should be not be dialed from from cell phones.
------------------
The best revenge is living well.
[This message has been edited by MRLIMO (edited 01-26-2003).]
For each of your phone numbers, it is important to place two "blocks," one for the long distance carrier and one for the local toll carrier. When you request a block, your phone company may not block both types of traffic. Even if you use the same carrier, it is still necessary to request that both types of traffic be blocked. I learned this the hard way.
It's a good idea to verify your current landline carriers on a regular basis from each of your different phone numbers, IMHO.
To verify your current landline carriers (at no charge):
- Long Distance Verification 1.700.555.4141
- Local Verification (intra-lata carrier, local toll calls) 1.xxx.700.4141 (or simply 700.4141 without dialing your area code)
These numbers are intended for landline verification only and should be not be dialed from from cell phones.
------------------
The best revenge is living well.
[This message has been edited by MRLIMO (edited 01-26-2003).]
Jan 23, 2003 | 7:54 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: BWI
Programs: AA PLT and that's that!
Posts: 8,350
I'm on the last months of getting miles for MCI long distance service and had thought of switching to take advantage of the AT&T offer but past experience with them makes me think the miles aren't worth it. It took them 3 years to cancel my local service after moving. They just continued to try and bill me even though the phone was not in service any longer and someone else was living there.
