Internet Check-in is *****
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Internet Check-in is *****
Anyone else agree??
Just spent an hour trying to get the KLM site to let me check in......
First it thinks I dont exist, then when it finally agrees I have an E-ticket it hangs up and then crashes when you attempt to change your seat!! I can get no further and give up on it.
The Airlines all reckon that we should check-in online and encourage everyone to do so as it saves them money. Well how about making it work then???
Had the same problem on the last two trips (where I didnt even attempt to change seats) and its really beginning to pi$$ me off!!
Sorry, but just needed to rant somewhere seeing as they dont answer the phone either.....
Just spent an hour trying to get the KLM site to let me check in......
First it thinks I dont exist, then when it finally agrees I have an E-ticket it hangs up and then crashes when you attempt to change your seat!! I can get no further and give up on it.
The Airlines all reckon that we should check-in online and encourage everyone to do so as it saves them money. Well how about making it work then???
Had the same problem on the last two trips (where I didnt even attempt to change seats) and its really beginning to pi$$ me off!! Sorry, but just needed to rant somewhere seeing as they dont answer the phone either.....
Está servira para distraerle.
Use KLM quite a lot on long haul and agree with the comments.
Also in JHB there is no point in checking in on the internet, neither with KLM, SAA, Virgin, nor probably anyone else. All passengers are made to wait in what passes for a line before being let in one by one to the check in area. Travelling Upper Class/Virgin with only a briefcase, no check in bag, makes no difference.
Doesn't seem to make any difference either in the States because all bags have to be tagged at check in desk and then hauled over to screening.
At Heathrow it is all, not surprisingly perhaps, a mess.
The only advantage of it, if you can organise the thing, lies in the seating allocation. But this seems usually very uncertain in its benefit. Have to say that, especially on KLM, I find that the best seats in either class always seem to be blocked off permanently. Those who end up sitting in them, it has been remarked, always seem to be KLM employees.
Still the best bet, in this opinion, is to get there nice and early, chat up madly, get airside and relax even if it means paying for entry to a business lounge if you're flying with the peasants.
There seem to be few short cuts available to making air travel anything but just another journey. The exception to this, it has to be said, are BA First Class out of T4/LHR or Virgin Upper also LHR.
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I've used BA,United, SIA and SilkAir's internet check-in several times over the past few years - all quick and satisfactory. I can't comment on KLM, but some airlines block off seats for special requests (such as disability and young families etc.). In nearly 40 years, I've never had a seat blocked for me on staff travel!
Interline check-in works fine most of the time with most carriers. Of course, computers being computers, there can be glitches from time to time and of course it's frustrating.
The only problems I've had with KLM interline check-in is not being able to check-in from the USA on the return leg. I've no idea why.
In an unrelated issue regarding their (KLM) booking engine, I remember that it took me months, a lot of calls and a great deal of patience to convince them that there was a particular glitch with their system (and not my PC) when trying to book Business Class from MST. 5 months later they finally acknowledged it and fixed it!
The only problems I've had with KLM interline check-in is not being able to check-in from the USA on the return leg. I've no idea why.
In an unrelated issue regarding their (KLM) booking engine, I remember that it took me months, a lot of calls and a great deal of patience to convince them that there was a particular glitch with their system (and not my PC) when trying to book Business Class from MST. 5 months later they finally acknowledged it and fixed it!
Last edited by Avman; 24th Jul 2008 at 10:11.
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I had a similar problem with KLM on a recent LHR/AMS/LHR where it all worked fine at LHR T4 but in AMS nothing worked over the internet and the KLM self service checkin machines at Schipol did not work either so we had to stand in a long line and go to a manual checkin. The agent told me that this happens very often!
On arrival at T4 we were held for 20 minutes for "our assigned gate to be available" and then went to an alternate where we were met by at least ten Customs agent, one policeman and a sniffer dog. The slow checkin didn't seem so bad afer all!
On arrival at T4 we were held for 20 minutes for "our assigned gate to be available" and then went to an alternate where we were met by at least ten Customs agent, one policeman and a sniffer dog. The slow checkin didn't seem so bad afer all!
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I have to agree with Cavorting on KLM. Even when checking in 30 hours before a flight very few seats are actually available. In the last year I have done about 50 legs with KLM, and I would estimate that only between 5% and 10% of seats on longhaul flights are available when checking in on-line. The rest are blocked.
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I have never had problems with internet check-in, not with VS, BA, SK, IB, or TP. I check in, I arrive at the airport, I present my ID, bag is weighed, labelled and it's all over and done. Perhaps the thread should be changed to "KLM online checkin is ********".
cavortingcheetah, what you experience at JNB is not a failure of online check-in, but rather a security check against the pax list. It's designed to prevent illegals getting anywhere near airside (although it's probably easier to bribe a gate guard and get airside that way). Considering that SAA has most of the check-in spaces, and VS and others have to make do with 4 or 5 desks (Tuesday only had 3), it's managing the crowds. I had no problems checking myself in online, proceeding past the initial pax check, and getting the bag dealt with.
JNB has improved in the last year. The new international departures area (landside) feels a lot better than before. There is a lot less people crush than before.
S.
cavortingcheetah, what you experience at JNB is not a failure of online check-in, but rather a security check against the pax list. It's designed to prevent illegals getting anywhere near airside (although it's probably easier to bribe a gate guard and get airside that way). Considering that SAA has most of the check-in spaces, and VS and others have to make do with 4 or 5 desks (Tuesday only had 3), it's managing the crowds. I had no problems checking myself in online, proceeding past the initial pax check, and getting the bag dealt with.
JNB has improved in the last year. The new international departures area (landside) feels a lot better than before. There is a lot less people crush than before.
S.
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Used FR's online check-in many times. No problems at all. However, they have relatively recently added a bit which requires you to add passport details for every passenger. This makes it a little more time-consuming than it used to be. But still, it works well for me.
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The only advantage of it, if you can organise the thing, lies in the seating allocation. But this seems usually very uncertain in its benefit. Have to say that, especially on KLM, I find that the best seats in either class always seem to be blocked off permanently. Those who end up sitting in them, it has been remarked, always seem to be KLM employees.
I wonder if they permanantly allocate everyone to a seat on the flight and so you only get to change to a vacant seat? If so this defeats the whole point of choosing a seat.
I am on a night flight with hand luggage only and so wanted to get a window seat to curl up in, it was the only reason I attempted to check in on the internet, I dont usually bother/persist if I have hold luggage, 'cause you have to queue anyway, the "fast bag drop" isnt fast anymore!!!
Regards, SD..
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It may possibly increase your chances as you have indicated to the airline that you intend to travel so, they get a better idea of the pax load they are going to have.
If they need to upgrade they may chose you as you have checked in.
Regards,
G-BPED
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Airport security scanners in the UK only like reading boarding cards printed on laser printers.
Use an inkjet printer and you are likely to be told to go back and get another boarding card at check-in.
Seems that a batch of cheap bar code scanners have been purchased by BAA and MAG.
Use an inkjet printer and you are likely to be told to go back and get another boarding card at check-in.
Seems that a batch of cheap bar code scanners have been purchased by BAA and MAG.
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Airport security scanners in the UK only like reading boarding cards printed on laser printers.
Use an inkjet printer and you are likely to be told to go back and get another boarding card at check-in.
Seems that a batch of cheap bar code scanners have been purchased by BAA and MAG.
Use an inkjet printer and you are likely to be told to go back and get another boarding card at check-in.
Seems that a batch of cheap bar code scanners have been purchased by BAA and MAG.
I pay enough for the ticket so BA can print my boarding card
. I am not going to use up my printer suppliesI have to say that I have seen a number of people turned back from security due to their home/office printed boarding pass not being read correctly!!!
Regards,
G-BPED
obgraham, it all depends on the airline. Some allow you to select your seat when you book (most charge for this option) and some only allow you to select a seat with interline check-in (24-30 hours prior departure depending on the airline).
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IB4138,
Hola! Que tal? I must disagree with what you've written about inkjet printers. I've used injet printed boarding passes to depart UK airports thirty five times in the last twelve months alone and not once has the scanner refused to recognise what my printer had produced. Of course, if a passenger is idiotic enough to fold the A4 sheet a dozen times, then put it into his/her back pocket for good measure, well.... Hasta!
Hola! Que tal? I must disagree with what you've written about inkjet printers. I've used injet printed boarding passes to depart UK airports thirty five times in the last twelve months alone and not once has the scanner refused to recognise what my printer had produced. Of course, if a passenger is idiotic enough to fold the A4 sheet a dozen times, then put it into his/her back pocket for good measure, well.... Hasta!
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Flying recently with BA I've found online check in quick, straightforward and simple. I have had one problem, and that was due to a glitch caused by a change of booking.
Never used KLM, but their website isn't really compatible with anything other that IE - which possibly highlights problems in their systems!
I disagree with IB4138 - I have printed boarding cards off on rubbish paper on a rather poor quality inkjet and been read at security no problem!
As for OLCI being useless in the States I don't totally agree - last time I flew back from the States, everyone else was checking in at the airport. So I had a completely clear queue for bag drop! The queue for check in was out the door. And this was not long before check in was due to close...
And finally from me - whether you check in online or not, there is always the possibility for an upgrade! And no, I don't mean if you put your hand in your pocket. I've been upgraded twice at bag drop
Never used KLM, but their website isn't really compatible with anything other that IE - which possibly highlights problems in their systems!
I disagree with IB4138 - I have printed boarding cards off on rubbish paper on a rather poor quality inkjet and been read at security no problem!
As for OLCI being useless in the States I don't totally agree - last time I flew back from the States, everyone else was checking in at the airport. So I had a completely clear queue for bag drop! The queue for check in was out the door. And this was not long before check in was due to close...
And finally from me - whether you check in online or not, there is always the possibility for an upgrade! And no, I don't mean if you put your hand in your pocket. I've been upgraded twice at bag drop