Aerolineas What the??

[boots1]

Hi All.

New member here, so hope this is the right thread to be posting this topic....

Does anybody know what the heck the go is with Aerolineas Argentinas reservations office in Syd?
I have literally called them 50 odd times over the last month and have managed to get through to a person on one occasion only.

When you call their Sydney number you can select from 3 options. I have tried each one. Option one tells you that all the operators are busy and to 'please hold', before disconnecting you 2 mins later. Options 2 and 3 leave you on mute for half an hour and you have no idea if you are on hold or in some kind of fibre optic limbo.

Oh and to top it off, they don't reply to emails.

For all those telling me to steer clear of Aerolineas... too late. The one time I did get through is the time that I made a couple of reservations.

Yes I know their inflight service/entertainment is junk but surely they would have a half decent phone system / reservations team so that they can sell their junk to idiots like me?

 

[mella2007]

Hi Boots1...Welcome to AFF!

There's nothing I can suggest apart from trying every call centre they have? Normally I find calling the country where they are based gives a quicker response time. And if they answer in Spanish ...ask "Parla Inglese?" and normally there is an English speaker somewhere in the call centre. It is possible, that their Sydney number is only a diversion to an English speaking part of their call centre, which may only be open in their time zone.
Failing that..they do have an office in New Zealand.
Hope you can get through at some point!

 

[FlyboyAl]

Sometimes pressing option "0" (zero) or 9 can get you to somewhere you are not meant to go, but you might find someone at least answers

 

[boots1]

Thanks to both of you for your answers. I never thought of the New Zealand option. Hopefully they still have a call centre there as I believe they are cancelling their flights ex Auckland soon.

 

[k_sheep]

Just don't fly them. Trust me on this. You will thank me (with your life) later!

 

[boots1]

Really? That bad? I know they have no in flight entertainment at all and i've heard their service is garbage but for $995 return to Brazil I suppose I don't have the highest of expectations. What could be that bad that you'd pay an extra $1700 for the next cheapest carrier?

 

[docjames]

Provided you have some leeway with arrival/departure times, at that price go for it!

 

[k_sheep]

Yes service is absolute garbage, but slightly more concerning for me was the lack of safety demonstration and equipment, with the left hand engine smoking beside me!! And no one else seemed to think that was unusual!!

 

[atreides]

The AY call centre in SYD is pretty useless too. These days I only deal with the SIN AY call centre. Much better service and they answer on the first, maybe second ring.

 

[adrian]

This was as timely read. I was trying to call the Sydney office on Friday, and had the exact same experience - gave up after about 6 attempts. I will try the Sinapore office. I have a bunch of miles that are soon to expire, and I was thinking of redeeming them on a SYD-AKL return before June 30 when the route disappears. I am not too bothered if the points expire TBH, they really are a cough airline, and the last time I flew with them (maybe 3 years ago?) I vowed never to fly with them again.....

 

[adrian]

Hmm, just tried the NZ office at 4.30pm AKL time. Recorded message said that their office hours were until 5pm.....

Still no luck with the SYD office

Tried the Buenos Aires English-speaking line, and call wouldn't go thru (dialled as +54 11 810 86527)

I think these miles will go to waste, unless someone has a better idea of how to contact AR??

 

[AussieTim]

Tried the Buenos Aires English-speaking line, and call wouldn't go thru (dialled as +54 11 810 86527)

I think these miles will go to waste, unless someone has a better idea of how to contact AR??

The Buenos Aires Spanish-speaking line is just as bad in regards to ever having the call answered, we just gave up and waited until we got to the airport. Not sure my comment is the most helpful, but not worth trying to get someone spanish speaking to contact them..

Aside from not being able to contact AR, or being able to sit together (only a 3 hour flight AEP-FTE... not a big deal) - the plane was clean, looked to be well maintained and ran on time. Nowhere near as bad as I had expected.

 

[diablo]

Hi Boots1...Welcome to AFF!
And if they answer in Spanish ...ask "Parla Inglese?"

Or you could say: "Lo siento, pero no hablo español. Hay alguien que habla Inglés?" (I'm sorry but I don't speak Spanish. Is there anyone who speaks English?). There are a number of Italian speakers in Argentina however, so you'll probably get away with "Parla Inglese?"