AARP not honoring their advertised British Airways Discount

[TheOatesFamily5]

AARP Lists a British Airways Discount of $200 per traveler when booking business class to Europe. I saved images from their web site to prove this fact. When I try to book through AARP I get the exact same price as booking directly with British Air. $8935.82. I called British Air, and they say it has to be booked through AARP. We called AARP support, and we were told that we have to book it online to qualify for the discount. We explained the problem to the agent that the site wasn't generating the advertised discount. The agent proceeded to hang up on us. We called back in again and got to talk to a different agent. This agent claimed that AARP has no such discount. We explained that it is on their web page right this minute. The agent kept insisting that they do not have such a discount and also hung up on us. There were only six business class seats left so we had to resort to paying the higher fare and bypassing our $400 savings. The ONLY reason we opened the AARP account was for this specific discount! Rude agents and false advertising. Again, I can say that because I took screen images of this entire process to prove what I am stating. I'm sure AARP will delete this post too.

[SelinaR144097]

I also only joined AARP recently for this discount. It is still not working. If this issue has been going on for over a year it gives me very little faith that AARP is actively doing anything to resolve it.

[AARPConsumerCare]

SelinaR144097 We're sorry to hear you're having trouble with getting the British Airways discount. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. - Christy C. 

[pc9656]

After some trial and error, here is the direct link that will work:

https://www.britishairways.com/travel/fx/execclub/_gf/en_us/cugalias-qr857?source=CUG_qr857&eId=1110...

[TakisP826482]

This benefit is still not working. I have used this many times in the past but it is frustrating that we cannot buy our tickets with the discount. I have tried from mobile phone and different browsers. Cache, cookies, browsing history also cleared. This is definitely an issue that AARP needs to address immediately. It appears it has been going on for months

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hello @TakisP826482, I sincerely apologize for the frustration this may have caused you. Members save $65 off World Traveller (economy) and World Traveller Plus (premium economy) or $200 off Club World (business class) fares when you purchase round-trip transatlantic tickets online to over 130 destinations, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Please keep in mind that this is an online offer only. You can learn more here: https://aarp.info/3lWsZG7

If you are still having trouble, please send me a private message, so I can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. They act as liaison for AARP service providers. Which means they investigate complaints and attempt to resolve them on behalf of members. Thank you. - Daniela R. 

[pc9656]

Please note that this discount still does NOT work. I have used this benefit countless times over the past 10-15 years or so, so I am aware of the procedure for getting the discount. 

[TakisP826482]

By the way i chatted with an agent and this is what i was told after Gabriel said that this is the first time he has heard of this issue (i did send him this link to review)

I can help direct you for your assistance with booking. You can call the AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia for assistance with booking at 1-800-675-4318, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can help you with your discount and making sure it gets applied.

[Texas28005]

Still not working! Multiple chats with AARP chat but no resolution, no explanation and no ETA!! Nothing!

[AARPConsumerCare]

I understand your frustration, Texas28005. If you're having trouble connecting with us through the chat option you can also call our text us for assistance. Visit https://aarp.info/3epCObA for our contact information. - Brandon C.

[Narundi]

Hi AARP Consumer Care, I have studied the exchange of messages - strangely reminiscent of our extensive dialogs in previous years.

FYI: Because the AARP will to fix the problem does not overlap with the AARP skill to fix the problem, I have no hope it will be better in this cycle.

For the record, things I've tried:
3 different PC's; 3 Browsers, in USA & UK.
iPhone.
The recommended links shown earlier in this thread (tested both in Chrome & iPhone Safari).
As we earlier surmised, the AARP-Expedia link trumps support for the AARP-BA discount.
Yes, AARP certainly know it is deceptive advertising; they simply won’t or can’t fix the problem.
The long history of Postings show the problem is very easily reproducible.
Note: Don't ask me to try harder or to be an unpaid member of your Tech Support.

[GViwangk0yk0y]

Jan 28, apparently still not working. And I renewed just now for this benefit. Should’ve found this thread earlier.  

[OlgaS925646]

I'm shocked to be defending AARP, but it worked for me through my phone but not computer.

[StevenM390760]

Thanks Olga - I will try that next time

I was so hacked off with the AARP piece this time round that I decided to not use Oneworld (BA or American) and flew Delta this time around...

Its stuff like this that really puts you off flying  BA - I hope that BA see's this kind of stuff on their social media listening and acts, though I have an expectation of them doing nothing as usual... with AARP

[AdekemiA289771]

did it work for you?

[AARPConsumerCare]

@GViwangk0yk0y, we can understand your frustration. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please send me a private message or visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. - Diana G.

[ScottH693416]

It says the flights are discounted but the final price is the same as if there was no discount! The fare and carrier imposed charge are the same when the ticket is discounted or not. The difference between buying a business class ticket will be $100 each way but the final price is the same as buying the ticket without the $200 discount on British Airways page. Please do something to resolve this issue or I will be cancelling my membership and asking for a refund. This is false advertising on AARP’s fault.

[wikolia]

it is a fact that the AARP discount for British Airways is NOT, I repeat NOT working. so AARP have known about this for TWO weeks and have NOT fixed the issue. are you listening AARP???...you increase your membership fee and then put the blame on US for not getting the discount??? we know how to book these tickets!

Victoria Casperson

[wikolia]

Jan 15th...still not working....raised membership fee and most valuable discount gone....I used to save $600 a year with it....and continued to use it after BA was supposed to end it in Aug....(they did'nt....but they have now)...

[JillM858611]

I have the same issue. I click on the direct link from the AARP page. There are no discounted fares shown, and no discounts given even when I get all the way to the page where I'm supposed to make my purchase. Why isn't this discount working? 

[AARPConsumerCare]

@JillM858611 Thank you for reaching out. Be sure that you are purchasing a qualifying flight. For the AARP discount, you must select World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) or Club World (business class) round-trip transatlantic tickets. The discount is applied automatically when booking. I invite you to learn more here: https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/travel/british-airways/ ?cmp=SNO-LITHIUM---&socialid=15826687879; - Janelle M.

[wikolia]

we KNOW how to use it Janelle!....

[JillM858611]

Yes, I read about it on the AARP site, I read through all the fine print, I clicked the link, I found seats in World Traveller, and it was a round-trip transatlantic ticket. All of the things were correct according to your rules. There was no discounted fare, and no discount offered when I got to the purchase page. 

[AARPConsumerCare]

@JillM858611 I'm sorry to hear this is happening. Let's get this escalated, so our team can investigate it further. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team.  - Janelle M.

[wikolia]

YOU get in touch with YOUR Member Relations Team!....THAT would be a first step in the "escalation" process!...chat, text or calls are not getting anywhere as these posts clearly state!...

[AARPConsumerCare]

I'm sorry to hear about your experience when trying to use our British Airways discount, TheOatesFamily5. We do offer discounts with British Airways. Members save $65 off World Traveller (economy) and World Traveller Plus (premium economy) or $200 off Club World (business class) fares when you purchase round-trip transatlantic tickets online. Our British Airways discount is an online only offer and must be redeemed by visiting the benefit page https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/travel/british-airways/?cmp=SNO-LITHIUM---&socialid=1569331... and clicking the link which will direct you to the British Airways AARP discount page. The discount is applied automatically when booking through that page. I hope that clears up any confusion. We appreciate you being a member and I hope we can continue to earn your support.

Brandon C.

[wikolia]

youre not listening to us Brandon.....there is NO discount anymore.....we know how to book these discounted flights....

[n882605a]

Hello- facing the same issue here. Even after following the link above, the discount is not applied. Very disappointing and false advertising,

[AARPConsumerCare]

@n882605a We're sorry to hear you're having trouble with your travel discount. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. - Christy C. 

[jh8212]

I'm having the same difficulty.  I tried the AARP chat but they were no help.  This does seem like a scam on AARP's part.