Whats wrong with AA India call centre?

[NM]

OMG!

i just attempted to make a simple award booking SYD-ADL......:evil:

apart from being disconnected 4 times mid conversation I basically had to provide information, more than once, for identity security measures that would make any bank security measures look pathetic .

It was like pulling teeth..... wow! after that I need a beer and its only 1pm

That is why I call the USA number during their business hours. I guess it helps having an IP phone here on my desk with a USA phone number so there is no cost for me to make such a call. The process of booking an award was quick and painless using the USA number.

 

[tscharke]

That is why I call the USA number during their business hours. I guess it helps having an IP phone here on my desk with a USA phone number so there is no cost for me to make such a call. The process of booking an award was quick and painless using the USA number.

even using the US number it still becomes a nightmare trying to explain that the AUS domestic J award tix for your wife includes an lap infant, which does not attract any fees or the like from either AA or QF yet trying to get AA to add the infant name on the booking in 'head banging stuff'

a quick picture of what I have been going through.....AA demands QF are to enter the infant details, QF explained they dont have the system access to enter such details, AA again denies its not up to them, AA contacts OW and confirms only reference to infant is required, QF prefers absolute reference to infant on booking to ensure infant is allowed to board with mother......F.F.S!!!!! So at the moment I have a confirmed AA award J booking for my wife with no visible reference to our son. QF also has no reference that my wife will be traveling with our son..........and this is the power of OW!!!!!!

I pity the gate keeper who tries on the day to deny our son entry on the plane....:evil:

 

[NM]

even using the US number it still becomes a nightmare trying to explain that the AUS domestic J award tix for your wife includes an lap infant, which does not attract any fees or the like from either AA or QF yet trying to get AA to add the infant name on the booking in 'head banging stuff'

At least I won't have that problem any more

My last AA award issued on QF had my 2 year old sitting in her own Skybed .

 

[tscharke]

At least I won't have that problem any more

My last AA award issued on QF had my 2 year old sitting in her own Skybed .

a kodak moment...

 

[alect]

a kodak moment...

Sure is:

home-ish on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
the journey home on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[tscharke]

Sure is:

home-ish on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
the journey home on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

very cute & great shots alect! I gather you are not a point'n'shoot photographer as the disposition of those shots are spot on! (or are you just an expert at PS )

 

[alect]

very cute & great shots alect! I gather you are not a point'n'shoot photographer as the disposition of those shots are spot on! (or are you just an expert at PS )

Would love to take credit but cannot - my wife is the photographer and actually a child photographer (her specialty). So most definitely not a P&S - Nikon D200 with some PS but not much - we actually have had the argument about photographer v. PS with her - and I do believe she has convinced me that PS cannot beat a good photographer.

She'll be taking bookings from Apr 2008 in Australia once we move

 

[tscharke]

a nice little plug there ...you must have a nice collection of photos of the kids! priceless!

and I agree - if you need to PS it to bits then you didn't get it right the first time!

I still love the film vs digital arguments...they're fun

...wow! this thread is way off topic :shock: oops! i blame simongr's influence

 

[simongr]

Just for the record - I haven't posted in this thread on topic or off

 

[serfty]

Dunno, just do with NATO phonetics -

Papa Sierra

Victor stop

Golf Oscar Oscar Delta Papa Hotel Oscar Tango Oscar Golf Romeo Alpha Papa Hotel Echo Romeo

Sometimes communicating with IndiAA Charlie Alpha November Bravo Echo Juliet Uniform Sierra Tango Lima India Kilo Echo Tango Hotel Alpha Tango !

 

[tscharke]

...funny stuff

 

[Keith009]

For IndiAA - S = Sugar... I got a few 'huhs' when i used Sierra...:-|

 

[tscharke]

even using the US number it still becomes a nightmare trying to explain that the AUS domestic J award tix for your wife includes an lap infant, which does not attract any fees or the like from either AA or QF yet trying to get AA to add the infant name on the booking in 'head banging stuff'

a quick picture of what I have been going through.....AA demands QF are to enter the infant details, QF explained they dont have the system access to enter such details, AA again denies its not up to them, AA contacts OW and confirms only reference to infant is required, QF prefers absolute reference to infant on booking to ensure infant is allowed to board with mother......F.F.S!!!!! So at the moment I have a confirmed AA award J booking for my wife with no visible reference to our son. QF also has no reference that my wife will be traveling with our son..........and this is the power of OW!!!!!!

I pity the gate keeper who tries on the day to deny our son entry on the plane....:evil:

okay, bringing back on topic - should I be concerned that I still can't get AA & QF agreeing on how to treat my wifes award booking with lap infant. The last thing I want on the day is any hassle.....im getting mixed advice everytime I ring. QF still have no reference to my son flying with my wife!!!

 

[tscharke]

whoa! please everybody stop with the responses [:tongue in cheek:]

...I've finally got AA & QF on the same page - all sorted!

...now back to slagging the Indian CC

 

[simongr]

Glad to see you blazing the trail with infant travel - hopefully late next year (or maybe the year after) I will be calling you for tips

 

[tscharke]

Glad to see you blazing the trail with infant travel - hopefully late next year (or maybe the year after) I will be calling you for tips

seriously, I've though for a while now of actually starting a thread for tips & tricks when travelling with a baby! With input from others who have been there it would be very handy for others about to be there (just like you Simon, however one does need to be home to make it initially happen ....there's that tongue in cheek thing again!!!!)

Our son has had more flights (dom & inter) than his age in months (majority in 'J' too....however that aint going to last I can tell ya ) and its not until you are in that situation that you start to really appreciate what can make a journey successful and what can make a journey a real disaster!!!

the majority of our flights as a family have been fantastic however there are many, many unforeseen areas that can catch you out!!!

oops! OT again....

 

[alect]

Another OT post. Our daghter had been around the world twice (and some other odd trips) by the time she was 2. Since she turned 2 the RTWs are too expensive for our family - but we did go to Aust, Ireland, Mexico, NA this year. She's a trooper when travelling - always gets compliments. But it does get harder the older they get - so enjoy it early and while it's cheaper (especially if you're addicted to premium class travel).

 

[serfty]

Using one's existing booking information to ticket a new journey.

My address is something like "12 Garfish Inlet Parade, Buskerton Pools, Victoria". It's quite long and getting it correctly entered is essential as the e-ticket information gets posted to it.

It's an absolute pain when trying trying to relate this address over the telephone to IndiAA, they rarely understand me fully. I generally end up using the NATO phonetic alphabet to spell this address out. The process often takes 10 minutes or more to get it right and it gets quite frustrating for both myself and the AAgent. Finally they will read it back to back to you correctly in IndiAAn English by which time I feel exhausted.

During the finalising of a booking this morning I had an idea.

:idea: When I was asked for my mailing address details I said I had an existing booking and if I supplied its record locater would the AAgent be able to copy the information from there. Yes was the answer, and a few November's, Alpha's, Tango's, Oscar's etc later the guy was reading my correct address back to me. This only took about 30 seconds; the whole process including adding my Qantas FF number took about 4 minutes.

I'll now wait for the mail to arrive. ...

(Of course this might not be an issue if I was using my AAdvantage number, but that can cause problems with crediting to the wrong FF program etc., so I keep it right away from these bookings).