Ticketless in Hong Kong
Hong Kong - December 11, 2006
Hong Kong International Airport.The last few weeks have been quite unexpected. I arrived to Delhi after my journey to Ongole, needing to make some schedule and routing changes with my American Airlines Round-the-World ticket (RTW). Since I have a paper ticket, it normally takes a full day to reissue an RTW. However after spending two futile days at the AA office in downtown Delhi trying to get my tickets reissued, they gave me an option of going on to Hong Kong and having it reissued there in a few hours. Not wanting to waste more time, I chose to go onto Hong Kong. I spent a full day at the incredible Hong Kong airport waiting and then waiting some more. In the end, they were not able to reissue my ticket unless I paid over $800 in taxes and some additional fees beyond that. Not willing to pay taxes that I already paid when I bought my ticket, they gave an alternative. Miss my red-eye flight to Africa and wait until Monday to speak to the AA office in downtown.
I did just that. However Monday came and went. Tuesday, Wednesday also rolled by painfully slow. And so began my unplanned week in Hong Kong. As the hours and days wore on and as more people became involved in my ticketing dilemma, my problem grew more and more complex and grim. Ironically, the $800 in taxes was now looking like the best option, if only they would honor that first offer. In the end my worst problem put me in a stalemate. The computer system they found, showed me flying to cities that I have never even been to. Cities that I had no ticket for. All attempts to convince them otherwise failed. Computers never lie apparently.
Everyone involved had a problem with my ticket and a different answer. I spent my time between the Cathay Pacific office (American Airlines partner in Asia), American Airlines Hong Kong office, the airport offices or I spent endless hours with the Tariff department in Dublin and the RTW department in Dallas. Their inability to communicate in real time (because of the time zone difference) with the main offices in Dublin and Dallas also proved to be a headache.
Hong Kong's Skyline at Night.While in Hong Kong, I stayed with Ryall, a Canadian expat who is residing in Hong Kong as an English instructor. He was a wonderful host that I came to know through CouchSurfing, a phenomenal travel site that connects like minded travelers. Its more than finding a free place to stay. Its about sharing one's experiences, background and culture. Lee and I have gotten more out of one night of CouchSurfing than a week at a hostel. Its a rich and fulfilling experience. I encourage anyone traveling abroad to try it and for those who reside state side, open up your home to host and impact someone's life.
After a quick trip back to the States, resolving my ticketing dilemma (for the most part), I am now back ready to get back on the road again. I have loved the RTW, though it hasn't been without some painful experiences. I'll see how the rest of my RTW ticket experience goes before giving it a thumbs up or down.
-Patrick