OLCI rejected, UA blames Timatic, traveling from country AAA to USA, citizen of BBB
May 5, 2019, 1:59 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Copenhagen - CPH
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, MileagePlus Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 41
I share the pain of the OP. I am a US citizen with permanent residence in a different country. Whenever I fly back to my resident country on United, even on itineraries originating in my country or residence, I cannot do OLCI. It is frustrating. It was not always that way. I used to be able to do this, until a few years ago. Because I can’t do OLCI, I go to the kiosk. At the kiosk, I get a yellow screen every time. The UA agent swipes their card, then taps on “valid foreign residency” button. They’ve done this maybe 20 times. It’s a pain for them as well as for me.
I can believe my phenomenon is some part of an automatic visa-checking process, which is OK. But UA should fix their system to have some ability – either human or machine – to attach to the flyer’s account some override or permanent acknowledgement.
I can believe my phenomenon is some part of an automatic visa-checking process, which is OK. But UA should fix their system to have some ability – either human or machine – to attach to the flyer’s account some override or permanent acknowledgement.
Because it happens every time. It means I can't see myself on the upgrade list. I have to wait for an available gate agent and I can't use the automatic machines. At Newark they force me to use the machine first, get rejected, and then call an available attendant to click the "Valid" button.
May 5, 2019, 4:46 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: IAH
Programs: UA
Posts: 604
A couple of posters here mention listing or stating one's residency. Is there a field to do this in the UA OLCI process? I don't think so. In my case, my UA traveler profile on the website definitely shows my correct residency and citizenship, but it doesn't matter.
But isn't the point here that after a few cases where a human agent physically accepted the travel via the yellow kiosk, the UA's system should learn that it's OK?
OP: what is the typical conversation with the agent at the yellow screen? Do they need convincing or detailed explanations? Do they understand residency policies of the EU? How often do they say "oh, just put in some date for onward travel"?
But isn't the point here that after a few cases where a human agent physically accepted the travel via the yellow kiosk, the UA's system should learn that it's OK?
OP: what is the typical conversation with the agent at the yellow screen? Do they need convincing or detailed explanations? Do they understand residency policies of the EU? How often do they say "oh, just put in some date for onward travel"?
May 5, 2019, 4:57 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
-James
Last edited by FlyerTalker70; May 5, 2019 at 5:40 pm Reason: Further elaboration
May 6, 2019, 2:17 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,665
I share the pain of the OP. I am a US citizen with permanent residence in a different country. Whenever I fly back to my resident country on United, even on itineraries originating in my country or residence, I cannot do OLCI. It is frustrating. It was not always that way. I used to be able to do this, until a few years ago. Because I can’t do OLCI, I go to the kiosk. At the kiosk, I get a yellow screen every time. The UA agent swipes their card, then taps on “valid foreign residency” button. They’ve done this maybe 20 times. It’s a pain for them as well as for me.
I can believe my phenomenon is some part of an automatic visa-checking process, which is OK. But UA should fix their system to have some ability – either human or machine – to attach to the flyer’s account some override or permanent acknowledgement.
I can believe my phenomenon is some part of an automatic visa-checking process, which is OK. But UA should fix their system to have some ability – either human or machine – to attach to the flyer’s account some override or permanent acknowledgement.
May 10, 2019, 1:16 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Copenhagen - CPH
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, MileagePlus Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 41
In an incredible turn of events, after I was told there was nothing that could be done and that the system functions normally - I got a response on Twitter yesterday:
Arnon, excellent news provided by the team we sent your concern to. They are going to add US-DE-DK itinerary for SK passport holders. You will be able to check-in online using your SK passport to CPH via FRA in the future. You might not be able to this time around but you will be in the future.