Is this a simple request that they should be able to make and reticket instantaneously or is there a serious risk I'm jeopardising my whole itinerary (or am I getting suckered in to rumours that the call centre is worse than it actually is?)
Q: Is this a simple request that they should be able to make and reticket instantaneously?
A: Yes, it is.
Q: Is there a serious risk I'm jeopardising my whole itinerary.
A: Yes, there is.
Q: Am I getting suckered in to rumours that the call centre is worse than it actually is?
A: No, you’re not.
As a Bronze, your call will almost certainly go to one of the offshore call centres*.
As a result your call has a higher risk of being answered by someone who is not properly equipped to deal with it.
As a result, you have a higher risk that mistakes could be made (sectors cancelled, failure to ticket).
BUT… You might get lucky, and the agent just gets it done as it should be done.
If you are in any doubt that it’s not right, then check and check again, call and call again if necessary.
Make sure you get new “081” ticket numbers within 24 hours, or keep calling until you do.
At the moment, if you’re below Plat, negotiating the OWCA maze is not for the faint hearted.
* Just to clarify, I don’t care where the call centres are, or who staffs them. I only use “offshore” as shorthand for the call centres that aren’t Hobart or Auckland (where generally the staff exhibit knowledge, experience & care.