Help on Lan Chile LIM-LAX A0 for 7+ days straight
 

In finishing my AONE, I have open tickets that include the segment LIM-LAX. I haven't had much (any!) trouble getting A availability on any other segment of this 20-segment itinerary. But Lan Chile has A0 literally every day within the ~7 day window I could travel. Most days are F4 A0 (though, to be sure, at least one currently shows F0 A0).

What to do? Could fly these segments some other time -- but this is the convenient time, and my tickets aren't so far from their one-year expiration.

Can I ask to make a resevation in D (plenty of D inventory on the flights at issue)? That seems reasonable to me, but http://members.shaw.ca/fewmiles/oneworld/owe.html doesn't seem to mention this option specifically. (I had thought it did, but now I can't find any such rule.) JonNYC mentions in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum83/HTML/001939.html that he managed to book D and waitlist for A -- but only thanks to extreme persistence at check-in. What rule to cite as to the permissibility of doing this?

I called Lan Chile US Reservations and suggested that they might send a telex to revenue. The woman knew exactly what I meant -- I guess I chose the right words -- but said only a supervisor could do so (Monday-Friday business hours) (not surprising), and said I shouldn't be hopeful about results.

The LP codeshares also don't offer A availability on the flights I need. Though there are a few odd flights (months in the future, etc.) where, for example, LA shows F4 A1 and LP shows F4 A4, on an LA flight!

Anyone have experience to share here?

References: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum83/HTML/001939.html , http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum83/HTML/002031.html

[This message has been edited by bedelman (edited Jan 17, 2004).]

I did have luck with my angel at the AA RTW desk getting LA to come up with an A seat LAX-SCL last year when it was showing no availability. LA is notoriously stingy with those four first class seats.

Giving us some dates would be helpful.

Mainly because F on LA usually comprises just 5 seats.

It really isn't worth the sweat, there's little to mark it apart from J, other than fewer people in it.

Guy Betsy, I had intended to ask only for general advice (give up versus call AA RTW versus call LA reservations; confirm in D and waitlist for airport standby, versus extra effort to confirm A in advance) rather than concrete suggestions. Didn't want to burden folks here with my problem specifically so much as inquire about the LA situation generally, probably more useful to others in the future.

But since you asked: I could fly LIM-LAX on Jan 29, 30, 31, Feb 1, 2, or even 3.

Bedelman - I would be interested to hear how you crack this. I've got a D ticket including segments to and fro Easter Island; unfortunately I've had to book into Y on one leg and have discovered the LA doesn't permit waitlisting for D.

If you find AA to be of any help liaising with LA seating control, I'd be grateful if you'd post your experience.

Why not? You just ask whoever that's booking to put you on waitlist.

Gotta disagree with on this one, virtualtroy. I gather from a recent post of yours that your most recent LAN experience did not live-up to your expectations, but, unless LAN's F service has gone dramatically downhill since last February, there are major differences:

1. Plush flat seats vs. non-flat seats.
2. Duvets vs. regular blankets.
3. Excellent wine list presented in a cork menu.
4. Excellent meal service with caviar.

Perhaps not enough of a difference to justify the cost differential, but when you have already paid for first class, there is more than enough difference to justify making the effort to ensure an F seat.

bedelman, you do realize that by joining the LAN flight to LAX at LIM as opposed to SCL that you miss-out on the excellent dinner service and only have a sandwich snack and a rather average breakfast to enjoy? Maybe it's not a big deal to you, but I wanted to let you know so you are not disappointed.

I do realize this, and am disappointed. But I can't readily change my plans at present, I don't think -- don't want to have the ticket reissued at this point.

It sounded from your initial post that you thought you weren't allowed to simply book in D - as already suggested above, that's always allowed afaik. And at least CX lets you book D and stand by for A. The only time I did that they called me with the A seats weeks before the flight. Perhaps totally unrelated information, of course.

bedelmann - a little off topic, but I'll ask nevertheless:

What takes you down there? Business or mileage maximizing?

The reason I'm so interested: At 23 I'm not too old myself and am just starting the heavy travelling for business purposes. Maybe we could meet up one day. (Just shoot me an e-mail whenever you feel like it.)

Finishing an AONE. The majority of the trip was for business; this part is primarily for mileage plus a warm-weather getaway from chilly Boston.

Today's update: A LA telephone reservations supervisor took my contact information (including AA EXP status) and promised me either a confirmed D or A seat on the tricky LIM-LAX flight -- will tell me when I call tomorrow. If I get confirmed into D, I'll of course waitlist for A.

Because LA will NOT waitlist, period.

Just curious, did you get your A seat? LA is showing availability on 1/29 & 1/31 now...

1/29:
LIM LAX 0130 0710 LA 600 A1 763
LIM LAX 0130 0710 @LP5600 A5 763

1/31:
LIM LAX 0130 0710 @LP5600 A5 340
LIM LAX 0130 0710 LA 600 A1 340

Just my luck -- I've become committed (for various reasons) to the 1/30 flight. Still waitlisted for A, confirmed in D. (I confirmed this status via checkmytrip.com.)

However, the release of seats into A on 1/29 and 1/31 makes me hopeful -- that LA revenue management (or their computers) actually do watch the seats and release inventory to A as appropriate. Maybe for my flight too, I should be so lucky!...

Interestingly, LA telephone reservations tells me my flight (LA600 on 1/30) is at F2 A0, while the new availability tool (not to mention itn.net, etc.) has always insisted it's F4 A0. Very different implications for the likelihood of me getting an upgrade in the end. Hmm.

Finally, what do we make of the LP5600 codeshares of LA600 -- showing A5 when LA600 shows A1? Pretty weird! I wonder what would happen if someone tried to reserve 5 A seats -- I met LA wouldn't be so happy...

-

And on a related note, does anyone know if leftovers from the SCL-LIM catering will remain onboard after the LIM stop, such that I could colorably ask for the hearter SCL-LIM dinner rather than the LIM-LAX sandwich snack? I guess probably not -- I'm sure the CX HKG-YVR leftovers aren't flown on the -JFK continuation. Somehow it seems less outrageous to me here -- far shorter flights, perhaps less galley space constraint. In F I'd be at least somewhat hopeful, while in J I figure it's a no-go. (Cabin is too big to offer such personalized service.)

[Edited to add mention of checkmytrip.com]

[This message has been edited by bedelman (edited Jan 25, 2004).]