opa&oma

We are flying to Rome next month on American Airlines through HAL's  Flight Ease .  We are paid in full and have been since early February. We have been trying to change our assigned seats for weeks and have been unable to because our flight has not been ticketed.  In calling HAL, every agent we speak to and explain we need our flight ticketed,  says they cannot handle flights and we need to speak to the Flight Ease people.  And therein lies the problem, there seems to be nobody working that line.  We have spent literally hours upon hours on hold and nobody ever answers.  The regular agents have no answer when told this and give us no recourse to the problem.  We have had more than one agent hang up on us or put us on endless hold when a supervisor is requested.  American says only HAL can ticket us and if we are not ticketed by April 17 we lose our (unticketed) reservations.  This is a problem since there are only a few seats left in business class. We are left with no one to turn to to help us except hopefully Cruise Critic members who might have a suggestion.  

1 hour ago, SusieO said:

We were on that cruise. Besides hubby and I, very few were masked. It was like the”masks recommended” signs didn’t do any good to so many or they didn’t care. Hubby tested positive two days ago and so far I am ok. 

Are you saying he got it even though he wore a mask?

12 hours ago, Nang said:

Yes, the update was 7 April - complimentary test at the terminal during check in. Masks required indoors and outdoors if you can't socially distance except when eating or drinking. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/worry-free-promise/travel-well/frequently-asked-questions/faq-for-cruises-from-europe.html

Have you ever seen a woman become bald from literally pulling her hair out?

7 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

and some that have difficulty differentiating between Europe and Alaska 🤔

And some have no problem disregarding what HAL has told them.

Four days ago our boarding pass stated a preboarding negative test was required, I checked today and

that has been removed from the pass. We are so relieved, imagine flying to Europe and being denied boarding, having no symptoms, and even wondering if it was a false positive.  Yes, the situation is very fluid, as it has been all along.

3 hours ago, Laminator said:

You do whatever works best for you. I will trust my PCC.

I'm sure HAL will be happy to disregard their policy when I tell them a PCC said so.

3 hours ago, dfish said:

I am flying to Amsterdam on American in July.  I have been able to select seats and change seats.  

Thank you!  Please tell me where you were able to do this.  I am not new with using FE, done it several times in the past.

41 minutes ago, Laminator said:

This was the email conversation. I love my PCC. She always gets back to me in less than an hour. Usually less than a half hour.

 

In the end, I have to go with what HAL is telling me.

1 hour ago, jlnprt said:

A bit of an update: I still can't access my flights through Flight-Ease, but I took the advice of other posters and went to the airline website where I was able to access my flight information. BUT, I still couldn't select seats. Then I noticed that my flight is "operated by" a different airline than I have reservations with and different "operated by" airlines for flight to Venice and the flight home. Went to one of the "operated by" airlines websites and was easily able to pick my seats. No such luck with the other airline. So ... progress!! I'll keep trying!!

 

I would appreciate letting me know if anybody is successful in seat selecting on an international flight on American, operated by American.  Thanks!

We received our boarding passes this week and they say a negative test within 3 days is required to board. 

11 hours ago, Laminator said:

Italy does not require a covid test to enter. I would call HAL again to double check. I know the Netherlands is not requiring a covid test to enter at this time. All of that could change in the future. 

 

It is HAL that is still requiring the test.  As of today.

45 minutes ago, Laminator said:

Are you sure you are on an AA flight or a code share operated by British Airways? If that is the case you will not be able to select your seats. This is one of my options for my upcoming trip. As you can see it shows American Airlines but the flights are operated by British Airways. I am glad I am already booked as I paid half that price for business on United. British Airways as well as Lufthansa will not let you choose our seats when you book. Same with KLM. 

 

 

Is is American, not BA.

15 minutes ago, Modern_Viking said:

 

You are quoting two different policies. 

 

The original poster copied the rules for cruises embarking in Europe: no test to board the ship, but a test may be required to enter the country. 

 

You then posted the rules for cruises boarding in the USA and Canada: test required to board.

 

I do see the confusion if you are boarding a trans-Atlantic cruise in the USA and going to Europe, as the statements (depending on where you look) contradict.  But I think which rule applies is likely based on where you board, so a USA to Europe cruise would require a test to board, but a Europe to USA cruise would not.

We are boarding in Europe ( Rome)  and as of today HAL states they require a test .

8 minutes ago, fabric_fabric said:

I think I understand what I posted, but It’s the part I quoted that says “Holland America Line does not require testing for travel to/from/within Europe above and beyond any governmental requirements, but we strongly encourage all guests take a viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) prior to leaving home to avoid travel disruptions”. I think tests ARE required?

Next month we are going on a European cruise with 15 ports and there is just no way we can figure out what to expect re testing.  Is it too much to ask from HAL to give us some information?  No information has been given from them except to let us know we will be required to present a negative test on embarkation. And this was this week we were informed of this. 

Just now, mfanderso said:

I don't know what to say.  As I previously said I am flying on AA (American).

To Europe, business class?

4 minutes ago, mfanderso said:

Yes, you can still do this on the HAL FE site.  I just went into my booking to see if it was still possible and it is.  Stakeout gave the steps in post 14 above.

But not on American!!  We're flying next month and have been trying for weeks, on our own and with HAL reps.

6 hours ago, Laminator said:

That is what I said above!

 

The point is just because you could do it with United doesn't mean you can do it with other airlines.

5 hours ago, mfanderso said:

I have always been able to pick my seats on AA.  However, I can't do it on AA site, I have to do it on Flight Ease.

5 hours ago, mfanderso said:

I have always been able to pick my seats on AA.  However, I can't do it on AA site, I have to do it on Flight Ease.

Things have changed.  Not only can't you do it on HAL FE site, the HAL reps can't even do it.

16 hours ago, Laminator said:

When I booked the flight on Flight Ease I was able to choose my seats at that time. I also entered my United Airlines frequent flyer number when booking. The reservation showed up in United account the moment after I made it. From there I was also able to change my seat which i had to do due to a change in aircraft.

I believe this may differ with different airlines.

1 hour ago, dfish said:

You used to be able to find the flight information on the itinerary page under Manage My Bookings.  For some reason, HAL decided they didn't want to provide that information on the itinerary page even though it is part of your itinerary through HAL.  

I'm able to see my flight info under Manage my Booking.

59 minutes ago, Laminator said:

It matters what airline. I am flying United to Amsterdam and was able to select seats immediately. 

I'm flying American and unable to.

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

800-628-477

Number is short one digit 

We will be sailing out of Rome. Wondering where we go for testing there. Anyone know?

Can we bring sealed cheeses?

8 hours ago, 0106 said:

Can anyone help me compare the amount of sunshine on the verandah on deck 8 vs deck 6?

Thank you

More sunshine isn't necessarily a good thing.  It can get so  blazingly hot out there, making it too uncomfortable to sit for long.