Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
We welcome reader feedback on issues related to travel generally and frequent flyer programs in particular. Please use this link to submit comments.
No Marriott Love for New Jersey
"Just thought I'd mention that the contest [featured in last week's newsletter] must not be open to New Jersey residents (!) since that state was not in the drop-down menu, and when I typed it in, I was not allowed to submit my entry, since my state was invalid." [Christine B. - New Jersey resident]
Where Are My Midwest Miles?
"I recently flew with Midwest on December 19 flight 745 to Las Vegas and returning on December 29 flight 748 to Milwaukee. I am unsure if my frequent flyer miles were added to my account or not. I do not have a card with the number on it, as it has turned up missing. How can I find out if I will accrue these trip miles?" [Christy K. - Oconomowoc, WI]
[FrequentFlier replies - Since you don't have your membership number handy, you should call Midwest's customer service department. They'll be able to tell you your number and check on the miles. In future, you can use your number together with a password to monitor your account on Midwest's website.]
United Upgrades, Not
"It is so difficult to use miles for business class to some cities -- even a year in advance. Even using miles in addition to a paid fare is outrageous -- I can't believe that they won't guarantee a business seat for the added cost. If it's not available at the time of the flight, the cost of the flight remains the same." [Susan C.]
US Airways: Deceptive and Amoral
"US Air treats roadkill better than its passengers.
"True, US Air has some great pilots (Captain Sullenberger to mention one) and these are tough economic times, but that does not give US Air the right to totally ignore their commitments. When my wife and I tried to extend our Silver Preferred status, we called a Silver Preferred Agent. We were advised that if we flew to San Francisco from Charlotte and then back, we would definitely qualify. Later on we were told that we did not qualify because some of our miles were 'Bonus Miles.' This is tantamount to buying a life insurance policy and when the beneficiary tries to collect the benefits, is told that the insured had to be killed by a five legged zebra in order to collect. Perhaps this is legal, but it is deceptive and amoral. Any airline should be held accountable for their promotions and how their representatives present them, even if the reps reside in foreign countries. US Air does not honor this policy.
"My wife and I hope that anyone reading this will think long and hard about flying US Air." [Barry M. - Charlotte, NC]
United Stole My Miles
"A short time ago United Airlines decided to take all 364,000 miles that I had worked so hard to accumulate, with the hopes of taking my family on a nice vacation sometime, and erased them from my account!
"How do I go about getting those back? If they don't return my miles, I will never do any business with them or any of their partners ever again, nor will my extended family. That is pure robbery!" [Todd J. - Wilsonville, OR]
[FrequentFlier replies - Assuming that your miles expired according to United's published policy, the first step is to throw yourself on their mercy and ask that they reinstate the miles. If they won't, your only recourse is to buy the miles back. That's right, United will reactivate the miles for $0.0125 per mile plus a $25 processing fee. In your case, that amounts to $4,575. Then of course the question becomes: Can you get that much value out of the miles? To that, there's no easy answer.]
Miracles Happen
"Surprise. Surprise. Surprise.
"Kudos to Admirals Club personnel in Japan. Without even thinking about the possibility of better connecting flights the club personnel inquired if I was interested in a nonstop to DFW in lieu of connecting thru LAX on to DFW. Saved 7 hours and connection to ABQ was easily done on an earlier flight. Total time savings on a Business FF was 8-plus hours.
"Who says miracles never happen?" [Michael B.]
Until next week...
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