New AC FF Toll-Free Phone Numbers - every year - why? - weletothejungle.com

New AC FF Toll-Free Phone Numbers - every year - why?

What is the official reason these toll-free numbers change every year? I can guess, but I would like someone to be explicit about this?

I used to be with CP, and their elite level toll-free numbers stayed the same for years.

Most to all US airlines (and other international airlines?) tier status toll-free phone numbers have often stayed the same for years (are there any exceptions out there); I do not think that has necessarily increased significantly the numbers of unauthorized people from learning these phone listings, or accessing them?

Well, I believe this is terribly obvious...so that if you were SE last year and aren't this year...your calls don't keep going to the SE desk (and you get through on 1 ring).

Dorian

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But why AC, and not other airlines? That is what is not obvious to me.

I have never had a problem with the number changing each year - after all, they send us a new membership card each year, and the number is printed on the back of the card.

Furthermore, it's a lot faster for both the airline and the passenger to make one phone number change once a year, than to ask the passenber for his/her FF number at the beginning of every phone call (frequent flyer = frequent phoner, right?)

I guess it doesn't really matter if you were SE one year and not the next year. However, one thing I've noticed is that the SE desk doesn't ask for your FF number before you ask for price or availability. I remember CP EP desk used to ask for FF # before they start doing anything.

Maybe if they implement something that forces you to enter your FF # before it allows your call to go through, then that will save the hassle of having a new number every year.

I have been asking this question for almost 2 years now - other than the SE line, both Elite and Prestige have that annoying touch-tone entry so they are already supposedly screening for eligibility. I continue to question whether I am actually reaching the Elite desk due to of the answers I have been given by some agents!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Alaska's MVP/Gold MVP line screens asks for you to key in your Mileage Plan number and if you aren't eligible you are transferred over to the regular queue for an agent.

I guess the only concern on my part is having to remember a new number every year, however, given that AC is not very creative with the acutal numbers on each line (as mentioned in a previous post) I really only have to remember the three digits after 888. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I also do not think the reason is obvious. With the exception of SE (which has special services), I see no point in the time and energy wasted each year changing these numbers. It is confusing, and if IMO Milton is really improving response times on all lines, getting through will be less of an issue. If E and P members were offered some sort of special services, which they currently are not, then maybe it would make more sense to change every year.

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Posted on at 8:09 pm by rose.
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