AA did not recognise Oneworld Ruby (Qantas Silver) Status at check-in

[NM]

All said and done, however, having a physical card that shows your status improves chances of facilitating a positive outcome. After all, physical cards are still relatively difficult to forge.

Indeed having and presenting a valid card is best, but in my case the card had not arrived following a status upgrade a few weeks earlier, which may also have been the case for the OP's companion.

At a minimum, having the card available may have helped the OP to overcome the difficulties with status entitlement, especially with respect to baggage allowance on AA (as per AA, not oneworld, policy). The only real benefit of having Ruby on the system is for manifest purposes, FQTV and FQTS, the latter two which could be resolved later. Unless this does mean that AA's system will not allow the check-in agent to register free baggage unless it passes a system of checks, one of them being that the OP is a ow Ruby (i.e. enter a code for a reason, e.g. "OWR" and the evidence is then cross-checked against pulling up the OP's record). Then, I'd agree, that would present a prickly problem (because the agent may not be able to force or fool the system into not charging the OP even if it stupidly thinks the OP is not a Ruby). That said, what would be the best thing for AA to do? Certainly it's not a QF problem, so the AAgent was wrong on that accord (and I'm not sure whether that's even acceptable if we cut some slack that the AAgent may have been making a hasty remark / decision).

If the system has such checks that cannot be over-ridden, then they need to ensure the system is accurate and that is obviously not always the case. There was at least a 4 week lag between taking the flight that qualified my status upgrade and the JL system not seeing my status correctly reflected - one week for the qualifying flight to post and 3 weeks after the on-line status showed Emerald.

I understand that when the card is not available they may not accept showing them a web page or a print-out (both can easily be forged). But there is a process using the "OneWorld Desk" where they can make a quick call and ask for the current status of any OneWorld member. I had the QF J Lounge agents make this call while I was at the desk and they were able to verify my current AA status and called the F Lounge to let them know I was on my way. Took just a few minutes. But they were not able to make the computer or boarding pass reflect the Emerald status. So if the computer needs to reflect Ruby to get the free baggage then I understand that in the OP's case it was quite possible that the computer would still say no even if the status was able to be verified from QF or OneWorld Desk.

 

[NM]

Was the frequent flyer card presented at checkin?

The all-important question which remains unanswered.

Also I suspect when ticket booked there was no status. Aa grabs status from qf at time of ticketing and it is not updated.

And vice-versa with QF bookings and AA status. But you would expect that removing the FF details from the booking and then adding again would force a new "grab", but in my specific case that did not do a fresh "grab" of the current status - there still seems to be a lag in sharing status changes between some OneWorld airlines.

I have a plat relative travelling who was qf gold at time of ticketing with aa and for this reservation aa will treat her as a qf gold. She isn't fussed as travelling in same reservation as a qf platinum.

This is just way aa's system works do please stop asking for compensation or whatever.

"enjoy" if that is possible the economy class flights on aa. It certainly will help you appreciate qf domestic reconomy here![/QUOTE]

 

[NM]

Never had an issue with AA recognising my status in fact they are usually pretty good at it.

But when was the last time your status changed between making the booking and check-in for the flight? That is a situation where the OP's experience can happen.

I don't see why you need compensation though and I mean all of this effort for a $25 refund?

For some of us, $25 out of pocket is more significant than for other people. I don't believe a passenger should be financially disadvantaged because the airline's systems are unable to function properly according to their own published policies.

I don't believe anything can be done retrospectively regarding the loss of seat assignments, except for an apology. But the incorrect application of the baggage fee should be reversed by AA. And if this ultimately leads to a change in the system or the process to ensure correct status is applied, then that is a positive outcome for others who may find themselves in a similar situation. Just because you are not affected by this does not mean that the problem does not exist and should not be rectified.

 

[MelUser]

One other complicating factor is that when you are on a QF codeshare operated by AA metal there seems to be more disconnect. By way of example, I have travelled years ago on QF codeshare on an AA domestic flight and found myself seated differently to a fellow travller in same PNR.

But there are still a few unanswered questions here:

How many PNRs? One. The QF Silver status will apply to whole PNR.

How much luggage was checked - how many pieces?

Was anything over 50pounds? AA won't forgive this no matter who you are if you are in economy.

I always find it really hard to work out who was in the wrong without knowing ALL the facts.

Also, how were AA staff treated? I have found being nice to them actually gets them to bend the rules.

Anyway, enough ranting from me!

 

[markis10]

Ahh global Alliances - they make travel so much easier - in a perfect world.

 

[wingspan]

But when was the last time your status changed between making the booking and check-in for the flight? That is a situation where the OP's experience can happen.

It can happen anytime. I've booked at least three AA flights as an Emerald, but AA's system saw me as a Sapphire. QFF needed to manually override the status on my AA ticket in order for them to see my correct status. It's not necessarily about when the flights were booked.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Never had an issue with AA recognising my status in fact they are usually pretty good at it. I don't see why you need compensation though and I mean all of this effort for a $25 refund? Furthermore, people really need to stop blaming all of their troubles on QF. It isn't their issue it is AA's. So if I were you, leave it at that a polite email and if you get that all important QP voucher than great if you don't perhaps move on?

Agree! Vote with your feet!


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[namcom]

I can add a recent experience on this.

I flew to the US this month on a QF ticket with four domestic flights on AA metal. When I booked the flight I was a PS FF but a month before the first flights I hit SG. On the AA flights my boarding passes showed me as a Oneworld Ruby instead of a Sapphire, even though I had my SG FF card with me. While this was not a problem for checking in as PS and SG have the same boarding and baggage privileges, the Admirals Club would not let me in because I was listed as a Oneworld Ruby on my boarding pass, even when I showed them my SG card. My attempts to resolve the issue at check-in on later flights were similarly unsuccessful as I was told there was nothing they could do to override the system. Very frustrating.

 

[coyote25]

I can add a recent experience on this.

I flew to the US this month on a QF ticket with four domestic flights on AA metal. When I booked the flight I was a PS FF but a month before the first flights I hit SG. On the AA flights my boarding passes showed me as a Oneworld Ruby instead of a Sapphire, even though I had my SG FF card with me. While this was not a problem for checking in as PS and SG have the same boarding and baggage privileges, the Admirals Club would not let me in because I was listed as a Oneworld Ruby on my boarding pass, even when I showed them my SG card. My attempts to resolve the issue at check-in on later flights were similarly unsuccessful as I was told there was nothing they could do to override the system. Very frustrating.

I had the same problem once before. I got AA to remove my QFF number and reinput and it worked not sure exactly why or how probably just caused a refresh.


Sent from my iPad using AustFreqFly app

 

[harvyk]

I'm going step in on behalf of the OP,

Had it been a WP missing out on a OWE benefit, there would have been absolute uproar (I can imagine it now, how dare they deny me my champagne in the lounge), but because it's a OWR, the benefits are almost considered "get over it life goes on".

Well OWR is an elite status. Maybe not the dizzying heights of OWE, but that said it is not handed out as a matter of course, and if an airline states that that means something, then they should honor it, and if they don't I personly have no qualms with someone coming on here and ranting about it.

To the OP, I don't think QF are to blame, AA on the other hand, the check in agent had no excuse to not at least try and sort out the problem there and then, whilst it might not have been much $$$ to lose out on, it's as much as anything else the principal of the thing. Esp with the seats been split up, there is no excuse for that.

 

[mannej]

Harvy, I think the consensus is that the OP is barking up the wrong tree.

I agree that the fee should be refunded, but by AA not QF

 

[harvyk]

Harvy, I think the consensus is that the OP is barking up the wrong tree.

I agree that the fee should be refunded, but by AA not QF

My little rant was more in response to some of the comments made earlier in the thread, I know that there was some posts providing useful advice, but there was also a lot of "it happens when traveling, get over it" posts early on. No wonder the OP didn't want to respond to this thread stating if they had the PS card on them or not.

 

[serfty]

Was the frequent flyer card presented at checkin?

The all-important question which remains unanswered.

...

This ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑

Until answered we cannot know - the OP has not been back on this site since their last post. The question was asked after that.

 

[Austman]

This ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑

Until answered we cannot know - the OP has not been back on this site since their last post. The question was asked after that.

my partner's Qantas Silver/Oneworld Ruby status was not recognised - even though she was showing them it online, on her phone.

Why use the phone if you had the card? I think the question is answered. She didn't have the card and this is another example of status synchronisation problems between OW members.

 

[harvyk]

Why use the phone if you had the card? I think the question is answered. She didn't have the card and this is another example of status synchronisation problems between OW members.

Good point, I'd say the question was very much so answered.

 

[opusman]

I think if she'd had the card she would have said so in the original post.

 

[zachary.august]

I'm going step in on behalf of the OP,

Had it been a WP missing out on a OWE benefit, there would have been absolute uproar (I can imagine it now, how dare they deny me my champagne in the lounge), but because it's a OWR, the benefits are almost considered "get over it life goes on".

Well OWR is an elite status. Maybe not the dizzying heights of OWE, but that said it is not handed out as a matter of course, and if an airline states that that means something, then they should honor it, and if they don't I personly have no qualms with someone coming on here and ranting about it.

To the OP, I don't think QF are to blame, AA on the other hand, the check in agent had no excuse to not at least try and sort out the problem there and then, whilst it might not have been much $$$ to lose out on, it's as much as anything else the principal of the thing. Esp with the seats been split up, there is no excuse for that.

I don't really think that is fair. It is true that these things happen when travelling and there truly is nothing to do about it. I'd like to say though that your characterisation of the OWE isn't really fair. If you didn't present the card and didn't advise earlier then what more is there to do. AA staff are probably used to people saying anything to get free baggage.

 

[EmilyHoward]

Someone has got to be blamed. Obviously when one is talking to AA it would be in their interests to blame someone else. It's human nature. Who would they blame? Well, the easiest one is Qantas. I don't really see it as a Qantas issue though. AA should refund the charge made to you and possibly offer some compensation for the seating issue. I don't ever go to the US so have no feel for what AA is like.

EH

 

[Flying mermaid]

As others have said it takes a long time for a status change to reflect. On a recent trip to the USA Miss FM hit Gold/Sapphire as we flew into New York, but after a month of travelling her status was still wrong. It wasn't an issue as she was travelling with us and we were Gold when we did the booking and we were only checking in 3 bags in total for the 3 of us. It wasn't until she got her boarding pass for the Qantas flight out of LA that her status was correctly printed. I found most of the personnel at the lounges quite aware of Qantas and one world status - the only one who was a bit doubtful, was the guy at the lounge in SFO - who seemed a bit puzzled by Sapphire status and checked it out before letting us in. He also didn't give us the drinks vouchers we were entitled to, but I didn't care as we don't use them - I was going to have some fun though hiding them and letting people know where they were via a thread on the other board.

 

[serfty]

I think if she'd had the card she would have said so in the original post.

It's certainly possible their status upgraded mid-trip; which could make it problematic in being able to present a card.