While I'm on hold...
Aug 16, 2003 | 2:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: BCN
Programs: BA Silver VY apologist IB up and coming
Posts: 8,706
While I'm on hold...
So far 44 minutes on an int'l call to the plat line, trying to book some award tickets. I already have dates, times, and flight numbers from the WPAA site (BTW, what is with those annoying popops there?). 44 minutes and she can't get it to "price". Finally she says there is a problem with my AMS-BCN leg coming back and she has to connect me to the Elite line (!). She gives me my conf # but had to waitlist me for the last leg and says please hold.
While I'm holding (11 mins so far this time) I punch in the conf# she gave me to pull up the itin.
They're all the wrong dates.
SERENITY NOW!
------------------
-alan in sitges, home of Si-Do
While I'm holding (11 mins so far this time) I punch in the conf# she gave me to pull up the itin.
They're all the wrong dates.
SERENITY NOW!
------------------
-alan in sitges, home of Si-Do
Aug 16, 2003 | 3:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,069
...had a similar experience with CO in the middle of an award reservation... re-routed to the WRONG city on the WRONG date.
So, there we were in Honolulu looking for internet connectivity to actually SEE the reservation.
Unless I see it I don't trust it!
...lesson learned!
It's too bad, too.
You'll probably hold forever and have to CALL AGAIN for some reason too!
Good Luck...
So, there we were in Honolulu looking for internet connectivity to actually SEE the reservation.
Unless I see it I don't trust it!
...lesson learned!
It's too bad, too.
You'll probably hold forever and have to CALL AGAIN for some reason too!
Good Luck...
Aug 16, 2003 | 10:06 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
Posts: 748
OK -- I can learn something here... I thought you could book award reservations online now...if this is true, why are you calling the Plat line?
There's obviously something I am missing and don't know...
There's obviously something I am missing and don't know...
Aug 16, 2003 | 10:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: BSB
Programs: DL 2 MM
Posts: 5,004
alanw,
Have you tried this link to book award reservations:
http://usr.v7.com/wpaa/
I have never had a "Quick" conversation with the Plat Elite line about an award reservation either, but if you can book it in advance, then it will be faster when you call them if you need to be waitlisted or need additional assistance.
Good Luck!
RC
Have you tried this link to book award reservations:
http://usr.v7.com/wpaa/
I have never had a "Quick" conversation with the Plat Elite line about an award reservation either, but if you can book it in advance, then it will be faster when you call them if you need to be waitlisted or need additional assistance.
Good Luck!
RC
Aug 17, 2003 | 12:35 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United Global Services and 1MM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 10,306
Similar experience.
Few weeks ago in a morning I booked two WBC award tickets BOS-MSP-NRT-PVG via elite line for the upcoming Christmas holiday season. Everything seemed fine. However, when I checked the reservation on www, I was shocked to realize that NW agent mistakenly arranged us a 27-hour layover in MSP.
I know Minneapolis is a nice city, there is a big MALL. But I don't want to stay there for a night so I called elite line again to fix the problem. Fortunately this occured less than 24 hours before the initial call, or we could get hit by a $50 changing fee???
Few weeks ago in a morning I booked two WBC award tickets BOS-MSP-NRT-PVG via elite line for the upcoming Christmas holiday season. Everything seemed fine. However, when I checked the reservation on www, I was shocked to realize that NW agent mistakenly arranged us a 27-hour layover in MSP.
I know Minneapolis is a nice city, there is a big MALL. But I don't want to stay there for a night so I called elite line again to fix the problem. Fortunately this occured less than 24 hours before the initial call, or we could get hit by a $50 changing fee???
Aug 17, 2003 | 1:17 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: BCN
Programs: BA Silver VY apologist IB up and coming
Posts: 8,706
RC, I can't book online because for some reason, itins with BCN-AMS segs don't show up there. If I want to travel to or from BCN, it means a call.
Update: this went on for another hour (total call time: 1:46), without me ever talking to the "elite" line. Things must have changed a dozen times. Finally here is what she told me she had booked:
With this, the agent told me her shift was over an hour ago and that if there was a problem I can just redeposit the miles since I'm plat. Also if I found something better on the Web (she was talking about WPAA) to just call back buhbye.
Here is the itin from nwa.com:
Yes, I am confirmed in both Y and F on the same flight DTW-MSP. The rest don't show a COS because presumably they are waitlisted. I have no idea.
Now I have to make another $150 phone call and pray this gets fixed. As it stands right now I'm not even sure I have flights.
------------------
-alan in sitges, home of Si-Do
Update: this went on for another hour (total call time: 1:46), without me ever talking to the "elite" line. Things must have changed a dozen times. Finally here is what she told me she had booked:
- BCN-AMS-DTW-MSP standard in Y, waitlisted in F/C. This is because of no availability in C BCN-AMS. Like I care. See rant in this forum.
- MSP-AMS-BCN rulebusted in C.
With this, the agent told me her shift was over an hour ago and that if there was a problem I can just redeposit the miles since I'm plat. Also if I found something better on the Web (she was talking about WPAA) to just call back buhbye.
Here is the itin from nwa.com:
- Friday, Aug 29 NW 773 DTW-MSP in F
- Friday, Aug 29 NW 773 DTW-MSP in Y
- Friday, Aug 29 KL 1672 BCN-AMS in (?)
- Friday, Aug 29 NW 47 AMS-DTW in Y
- Wed, Sept 3 KL 6042 MSP-AMS in (?)
- Thur, Sept 4 KL 1671 AMS-BCN in (?)
Yes, I am confirmed in both Y and F on the same flight DTW-MSP. The rest don't show a COS because presumably they are waitlisted. I have no idea.
Now I have to make another $150 phone call and pray this gets fixed. As it stands right now I'm not even sure I have flights.
------------------
-alan in sitges, home of Si-Do
Aug 17, 2003 | 2:05 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Discoverist, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador
Posts: 7,451
alan... e-mail me and lets see if there is anything i can do from my end to help you avoid another call like that. Isn't that what FT friends are for?
I found "D" standard biz awards on aug 29, BCN-AMS, flight KLM1674 connecting with AMS-MSP, flight NWA0041
[This message has been edited by thezipper (edited 08-17-2003).]
I found "D" standard biz awards on aug 29, BCN-AMS, flight KLM1674 connecting with AMS-MSP, flight NWA0041
[This message has been edited by thezipper (edited 08-17-2003).]
Aug 17, 2003 | 10:25 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: BCN
Programs: BA Silver VY apologist IB up and coming
Posts: 8,706
This is just one more reason to love FlyerTalk. A mere few hours after his post, thezipper got my info, called the plat line, and managed to get me confirmed in J MSP-BCN and in Y BCN-MSP with a double waitlist for J BCN-MSP on two consecutive days. All in slightly more than 30 minutes.
All hail the mighty zipper!
Though he won't be at Si-Do, rest assured we'll supply a fitting tribute on the Lame-O WebCam.
-alan in sitges, home of Si-Do
[This message has been edited by alanw (edited 08-17-2003).]
All hail the mighty zipper!
Though he won't be at Si-Do, rest assured we'll supply a fitting tribute on the Lame-O WebCam.
-alan in sitges, home of Si-Do
[This message has been edited by alanw (edited 08-17-2003).]
Aug 17, 2003 | 5:23 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2003
Location: MSP - NW Gold - PC Plat - Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 2,478
Way to go Zip man
Aug 17, 2003 | 5:33 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: DL MM Plat, PC&HH Gold
Posts: 2,602
So, do u think the AMS->MSP segment will clear the waitlist by itself, or will u need BCN->MSP to clear as well?
Aug 17, 2003 | 7:04 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Discoverist, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador
Posts: 7,451
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by doglover:
So, do u think the AMS->MSP segment will clear the waitlist by itself, or will u need BCN->MSP to clear as well?
</font>
So, do u think the AMS->MSP segment will clear the waitlist by itself, or will u need BCN->MSP to clear as well?
</font>
Aug 17, 2003 | 7:09 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,748
Well, alanw looks like you're also defecting... have fun on UA! Enjoy the Star Alliance!
Aug 18, 2003 | 7:41 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Discoverist, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador
Posts: 7,451
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by IndustrialPatent:
Well, alanw looks like you're also defecting... have fun on UA! Enjoy the Star Alliance!</font>
Well, alanw looks like you're also defecting... have fun on UA! Enjoy the Star Alliance!
</font>
Aug 21, 2003 | 4:35 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: BCN
Programs: BA Silver VY apologist IB up and coming
Posts: 8,706
A quick followup, as I know you all have been waiting on pins and needles to find out what happened. Thanks for being patient and not flooding this thread with requests for info.
Miracles happen. I believe it now. thezipper has been going round and round with NW about waitlists clearing, not clearing, being allowed, not being allowed, etc. but today I noticed that one of my flights that had previously been confirmed had lost its "seats and flight details" link. So in exasperation I called the plat line.
This time I got someone whom I believe to be competent. Completely humorless, but competent. She told me (1) that the KL segs I was waitlisted for would never clear and (2) they were not supposed to WL KL segs for this reason - KL doesn't allow waitlisting NW awards!
However, she started poking around in the system and within just a couple of minutes she was able to get me confirmed in WBC with a standard award BCN-AMS-DTW-MSP and MSP-EWR-AMS-BCN. I can hardly believe it but it's right there in black and white - I am confirmed! Woo hoo!
A super-big thank you to thezipper for all his work - he truly represents the best of the spirit of FT.
As far as the hooey re: waitlists on KL segs: is it true? Who knows? I'm sure there's an adage about WP agents and answers fitting on the head of a pin someplace.
------------------
-alan in sitges, home of Si-Do
Miracles happen. I believe it now. thezipper has been going round and round with NW about waitlists clearing, not clearing, being allowed, not being allowed, etc. but today I noticed that one of my flights that had previously been confirmed had lost its "seats and flight details" link. So in exasperation I called the plat line.
This time I got someone whom I believe to be competent. Completely humorless, but competent. She told me (1) that the KL segs I was waitlisted for would never clear and (2) they were not supposed to WL KL segs for this reason - KL doesn't allow waitlisting NW awards!
However, she started poking around in the system and within just a couple of minutes she was able to get me confirmed in WBC with a standard award BCN-AMS-DTW-MSP and MSP-EWR-AMS-BCN. I can hardly believe it but it's right there in black and white - I am confirmed! Woo hoo!
A super-big thank you to thezipper for all his work - he truly represents the best of the spirit of FT.
As far as the hooey re: waitlists on KL segs: is it true? Who knows? I'm sure there's an adage about WP agents and answers fitting on the head of a pin someplace.
------------------
-alan in sitges, home of Si-Do
Aug 24, 2003 | 12:26 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: fort worth, tx AA Gold,Best Western-Diamond, HH- Gold, Marriott-Silver
Posts: 2,737
Vegas Agent, You can book award seats on the internet, but most code-shares do not show up. I have never been able to get anything past amsterdam to show up, so I think the KLM flights are affected also. It would be nice if everything you could book with miles would show up, but it is mostly NW metal that shows up so you have to talk to a person that can find the flights you can find on other internet sites (like CO.com) but where you can not use your WP miles.