Booking mistake by AAgent

[Oubline]

I gave my mother some of the advice I'd learned on these forums to assist her with buying and redeeming AA miles for her 50th birthday Europe trip in J.

However, even though the booking was made last July, she has only just noticed that there was a fairly significant mistake in the booking for her return LHR-KUL-ADL leg on MH. She has been booked (by the phone agent) in June on:

Thursday MH1 LHR-KUL 10PM - 5:35PM (arriving Friday)

Thursday MH139 KUL-ADL 10:30PM - 8:15AM

I'm not sure how this booking was able to be processed by the agent as it's clearly impossible for her to make that second flight!! AA reckon that as award space is all full now, that all they can do is ask MH to open up an extra seat for them, which I'm not optimistic about. The alternative may be to refund the points, but this is not much use.

So the lesson is to definitely check that the agent gets the dates right for flights crossing time zones with AA!

Has anyone had a similar situation, and been able to rectify it??

P.S. this was booked by the Australian AA office, which by all accounts are not very good - this would seem to reaffirm it.

 

[DC3]

Your next lot of advice to mum is to never, ever, talk to the AA Australian Office. Talk direct to Dallas as they know what they are doing and they do it all the time.

 

[grussellt]

Perhaps try another route from LHR-ADL. Aadvantage should be able to do that for you without charge.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Perhaps try another route from LHR-ADL. Aadvantage should be able to do that for you without charge.

I agree, this is such a major mistake by AA, they should definitely fix this. A bit outside the demographic for your mother but the AA twitter feed is the way to go for this if you don't get anywhere by calling the US number. My experience is that the AA agents who don't man the Exp desk vary from woeful to excellent and it can be a challenge to get a good one.
Try to find alternative availability before you call to feed the flights to the Agent.

 

[grussellt]

I agree, this is such a major mistake by AA, they should definitely fix this. A bit outside the demographic for your mother but the AA twitter feed is the way to go for this if you don't get anywhere by calling the US number. My experience is that the AA agents who don't man the Exp desk vary from woeful to excellent and it can be a challenge to get a good one.
Try to find alternative availability before you call to feed the flights to the Agent.

For a start there could be some choices on CX via HKG but it could mean an overnight stay or a date change (see if AAdvantage will allow without charge as it is their mistake). Unfortunately the BA route via NRT or BKK will attract fuel charges but that is also possible.
BTW, Princess Fiona, are you proposing that us 0ver-50's are the wrong side of the demographic ditch to use Twitter?

 

[Princess Fiona]

BTW, Princess Fiona, are you proposing that us 0ver-50's are the wrong side of the demographic ditch to use Twitter?

Thinking of my own mother (early 60's) yes I was

 

[kempvet]

I

Thursday MH1 LHR-KUL 10PM - 5:35PM (arriving Friday)

Thursday MH139 KUL-ADL 10:30PM - 8:15AM

This is booked under the one booking number (record locator) I assume, perhaps you can argue that your mother missed her connection which theoretically shouldn't be possible with the one record locator . As others have said call Dallas next time, even if you have to pay long distance phone costs (for some reason they can find the good CX J seats while the Aussies can't).

 

[Grooba]

This is booked under the one booking number (record locator) I assume, perhaps you can argue that your mother missed her connection which theoretically shouldn't be possible with the one record locator . As others have said call Dallas next time, even if you have to pay long distance phone costs (for some reason they can find the good CX J seats while the Aussies can't).

If you use Skype to call the 1800 number there are no charges.

 

[drron]

Thinking of my own mother (early 60's) yes I was

We just don't think it is worth the time and effort.Like to talk to real people instead.
From man in later 60s.

 

[Reggie78]

If you use Skype to call the 1800 number there are no charges.

+1
Confirmed.

 

[grussellt]

Or you can make a free call using the telephone facility on gmail - so long as you're considered to be in the right demographic to use the technology!

 

[Buzzard]

Thinking of my own mother (early 60's) yes I was

OMG I'm nearly old enough to be your mother ..... and I'm not even female