Direct ticketing charge
Aug 10, 2009 | 11:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Programs: UA 1MM
Posts: 5,613
Direct ticketing charge
I tried to book two r/t tickets on NWA.com and using two ECVs I had received from a nice FA. NWA.com did not recognize the ECVs and I had to call the PE line. They insisted in splitting the itineraries in 2, since there were two ECVs.
Today I noticed that my wife ( due to pregnancy now a lowley SE ) was charged a direct ticketing fee of $ 20.00. Are there any ways to fight this?
I understand the TTU does not work anymore. How to get to a supervisor when calling the PE line? Today's agent told me there is no way any supervisor could reverse the charge and refused to escalate my call.
Today I noticed that my wife ( due to pregnancy now a lowley SE ) was charged a direct ticketing fee of $ 20.00. Are there any ways to fight this?
I understand the TTU does not work anymore. How to get to a supervisor when calling the PE line? Today's agent told me there is no way any supervisor could reverse the charge and refused to escalate my call.
Aug 11, 2009 | 1:25 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MEL
Programs: DL, QF, QR Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,316
Call back or TTU. AFAIK, the direct ticketing charge is waved for Plats.
Aug 11, 2009 | 1:41 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Programs: UA 1MM
Posts: 5,613
Thanks, Florin, always a pleasure to hear from you. I am aware that PEs are excluded from the fee. My SO, however, as I mentioned, is a lowely SE. I intend to call the PE line again tomorrow, U.S.time and hope for a positive resolution.
Aug 11, 2009 | 2:11 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MEL
Programs: DL, QF, QR Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,316
According to the website, the fee is waved for Golds and Plats, but not for Silvers . (LINK)
What's interesting, however, is the fact that you are the one who booked the tickets. Since you are the one who were on the phone with the agent, and since the ticket was issued to you (i.e. you paid for it), I don't think it is reasonable for them to apply the fee to your wife's ticket. The issue is the fact this situation is not explicitly mentioned in the T&Cs, and as such it can be interpreted both ways. I would politely explain to them the situation and ask to have that fee refunded, because you have IMO a valid argument. In my experience, NW has always been reasonable.
What's interesting, however, is the fact that you are the one who booked the tickets. Since you are the one who were on the phone with the agent, and since the ticket was issued to you (i.e. you paid for it), I don't think it is reasonable for them to apply the fee to your wife's ticket. The issue is the fact this situation is not explicitly mentioned in the T&Cs, and as such it can be interpreted both ways. I would politely explain to them the situation and ask to have that fee refunded, because you have IMO a valid argument. In my experience, NW has always been reasonable.
Aug 11, 2009 | 7:05 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
Programs: CO Gold Elite / NW Gold Elite
Posts: 13,747
According to the website, the fee is waved for Golds and Plats, but not for Silvers . (LINK)
What's interesting, however, is the fact that you are the one who booked the tickets. Since you are the one who were on the phone with the agent, and since the ticket was issued to you (i.e. you paid for it), I don't think it is reasonable for them to apply the fee to your wife's ticket. The issue is the fact this situation is not explicitly mentioned in the T&Cs, and as such it can be interpreted both ways. I would politely explain to them the situation and ask to have that fee refunded, because you have IMO a valid argument. In my experience, NW has always been reasonable.
What's interesting, however, is the fact that you are the one who booked the tickets. Since you are the one who were on the phone with the agent, and since the ticket was issued to you (i.e. you paid for it), I don't think it is reasonable for them to apply the fee to your wife's ticket. The issue is the fact this situation is not explicitly mentioned in the T&Cs, and as such it can be interpreted both ways. I would politely explain to them the situation and ask to have that fee refunded, because you have IMO a valid argument. In my experience, NW has always been reasonable.
Aug 13, 2009 | 12:53 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 6
Similar fee situation
I had a similar situation and suspect I'm SOL.
I booked a trip for my family and my son had enough miles to get his own award ticket. I blindly paid the $25 fee. I received the receipt via e-mail today and noticed the "Direct Ticketing Charge" of $20 on top of the $5 tax.
I'm pretty sure that since my son has NO status, even though I booked it (as GE), I'm SOL here. Had I known I was going to get charged a direct ticket fee, I may have booked his online and avoided the fee. I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure the agent just said "that'll be $25, ok?" to which I said "sure". If she would have indicated that "it's going to be $5 for taxes and $20 for direct ticketing fee, is that ok?", I might have just said, "sure" for convenience (i was already on the phone and needed to book same itinerary for my wife and myself).
I've not called to contest, but probably won't either. *SHRUG*
I booked a trip for my family and my son had enough miles to get his own award ticket. I blindly paid the $25 fee. I received the receipt via e-mail today and noticed the "Direct Ticketing Charge" of $20 on top of the $5 tax.
I'm pretty sure that since my son has NO status, even though I booked it (as GE), I'm SOL here. Had I known I was going to get charged a direct ticket fee, I may have booked his online and avoided the fee. I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure the agent just said "that'll be $25, ok?" to which I said "sure". If she would have indicated that "it's going to be $5 for taxes and $20 for direct ticketing fee, is that ok?", I might have just said, "sure" for convenience (i was already on the phone and needed to book same itinerary for my wife and myself).
I've not called to contest, but probably won't either. *SHRUG*