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.
"A Little Good News for Delta Platinum Flyers"
"I received an email that said I would be allowed to have two cancellations of ticketed FF trips without any redeposit charge. I think the current policy is to allow unlimited redeposits but was to be cut to none. Seems like a good compromise. Also and this may be big news, Delta will give free upgrades on FF tickets just like purchased tickets. I believe this is limited to platinum but could include gold, I am just not sure on that. You might want to check this out.
"And on a recent trip a flight attendant gave my wife and I a bottle of wine for an anniversary present (we are both platinum Delta FF members)." [John F. - Kansas City, MO]
[FrequentFlier replies - The complimentary upgrades on award tickets will apply to both platinum and gold elites, effect date still TBD.]
Westin's Newspaper Charge/Credit
"The small print advising of a 75 cent credit if one pre-refuses a newspaper [mentioned in last week's newsletter] is not the Westin's way of squeezing another 75 cents from its guests. Instead, it's a function of the arcane way a newspaper counts its circulation.
"Newspapers pressure hotels like this Westin to offer such a refund because in the world of newspaper circulation numbers, complimentary copies do not count. USA Today is read by thousands of hotel guests each day, but if the hotel simply gives the paper away (as most hotels do) then the paper can't count those readers as readers. Circulation numbers are used to set advertising prices, so newspaper companies want every copy to count. This small print is a way around the rules whereby hotels can still provide their guests with complimentary copies of the paper (unless the guest opts out for a small credit) and the newspaper can still count the readership as circulation.
"I hope this helps clear up the issue." [Richard D.]
Lufthansa's Mileage Expiration Policy
"I wouldn't think to write this save for the comments this week on the $0.75 'rebate' from Westin for turning in the daily paper, together with the rants (and rave for Virgin Atlantic) on foreign carrier mileage programs.
"So the short story is that Lufthansa (Miles & More) apparently has fine print where you lose any miles in three years if you don't use/cash them (never mind whether you fly within 18 months, or any other date/period or charge even a flower bouquet). So far, the one exception appears to be 'sign up for our credit card.'
"I'll let your other readers rejoice in making the conclusion to this one." [Ed N.]
Change Fees
"There is no consistent policy among airlines concerning whether or not to charge a 'change fee' when a lower fare becomes available and all elements of the original ticketing are the same. Additionally, an airline can have different fees based on whether the ticketing is domestic or international.
"Have you attacked this situation; and if you have, what have the airlines said or done?" [Sanford R.]
Bag Pilfering at Johannesburg Airport
"We want to alert travelers to South Africa on South African Airlines about the Johannesburg airport. Our family of six went through the airport three times in the last two weeks. On the last two visits, EACH of our bags were broken into EACH time and valuables stolen, in spite of most of the bags having TSA locks.
"SAA's response was the typical response that valuables should not be left in luggage and they are doing everything possible to prevent this from happening. After speaking with some travelers familiar with the airport baggage security, we were advised to take advantage of wrapping our suitcases in plastic wrap (services for $5 they provide at the airport).
"We will be interested to see if the soccer fans at the FIFA World Cup accept the situation as well as we did." [Richard L. - Denver, CO]
Foreign Airlines Trump Their U.S. Counterparts
"As a frequent traveler residing in the U.S. and China I have had my share of experiences with both U.S. flag carriers and foreign carriers and overall the foreign carriers have proven superior. You also get more for your money in program rewards with foreign carriers and they seem to be much easier when trying to redeem mileage for rewards.
"Just before the recent holiday rush I had need to fly from NYC to China and easily was able to redeem points on Asiana for a one way ticket (something the U.S. carriers will not do).
"I have flown well over 1,000,000 actual miles on United over the years and over time probably lost over 400,000 miles due to their changing policies and rules. Some way to reward one for loyalty.
"Today, foreign carriers are my first choice and my sympathies lie with the U.S. carriers that have deteriorated to such a low level they no longer garner my support.
"Keep up the good work." [China John - Princeton, NJ/Dalian, China]
Until next week...
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