Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
"As a 1K flyer with United, my recent trip through security at the St. Louis airport was less than great. The TSA gal portrayed an attitude that she was 'god'.
"She pulled out a can of shoe polish that I have been carrying on for years, and states this is not allowed. After a brief dispute, she then goes through my carry-on then proceeds to run it through x-ray at a leisurely pace. She then wishes me a 'good day', and walks away, leaving my suitcase in a mess. I packed it up, and walked away.
"What are my rights? Do we have any recourse? I really wanted to call her on this, but didn't due to a lack of what I can, or can't do." [Disgusted Dave]
"I've been reading your column for ages and probably the most important thing I've learned is to do just what Mom said not to -- open my big mouth!
"My husband's 5:00 PM JetBlue flight from Newark to Fort Lauderdale was canceled and supposedly almost everyone was notified, but he wasn't one of the lucky ones who had time to make other plans. Yes, he should have checked before getting to the airport, but he didn't and it was kind of suspicious that so many people didn't know either. Everyone was scrambling for other options with no help from JetBlue.
"Somehow, he was able to pester a JetBlue employee who reluctantly checked and found a flight from Kennedy Airport to West Palm. He called me and asked if I could pick him up there before he agreed to take that flight. I asked him how he was getting to Kennedy and he said "I guess I'll get a cab". I told him not to agree to letting them seem magnanimous until they gave him a boarding pass for the new flight and also agreed to pay his carfare to Kennedy. They never offered to do either, but quickly agreed when he insisted, receiving a voucher for a car service that works closely with airlines (not a good sign in itself!) and a new boarding pass. Once at Kennedy, JetBlue tried to charge him for changing flights which he loudly protested and they quickly backed off. Bottom line, the problem was solved with some aggravation and a BIG MOUTH! Thanks to you for everything!!!" [S.G.]
"I booked a round trip ticket from Atlanta to Oklahoma City more than a month in advance for $468.50. The day I was traveling to Oklahoma City, I became sick and thought I would try to rebook my flight for the next day. Delta advised that with the fare difference and $100 change fee, the additional charge would be $950. I decided to tough it out and leave as planned. When I arrived at the gate, the gate agent was looking for volunteers to take the next flight as my flight was overbooked. It would seem as though Delta would have known the flight was overbooked and provided some accommodation." [J. Glenn D.]
"I read your piece in SmarterTravel.com 'JetBlue frequent flyer points go on sale.'
I totally agree. One point you omitted is that even with a JetBlue credit card, TrueBlue passes DO expire within a year, in contrast to the miles. A real screw!" [Mike W. - Brookline, MA]
"I do not know if every time you book a flight if it automatically informs for the miles? But if i were to be getting ready to take a flight to the United States, can i now add those miles in... With the information provided? If not, I am just wondering, due to I will be flying again in May and would like to add those in as well... Thank you for your time." [Mona M.]
"I read your article on the costs of earning miles to pay your taxes (2.49 cents/mile). Yes, that's absolutely right. Unless, however, you are accumulating miles for first class international travel. I booked a Swiss Air non-stop LAX to Zurich and a return Lufthansa Frankfort to LAX last April for 100,000 UA miles (I booked the ticket the previous October before first class went up to 120k miles). The face value of the ticket was $12,500. 12.5 cents a mile! Not bad. It's the only mileage redemption that really makes sense." [Rod C.]
"What is the story behind American Airlines abrupt pull out of Gatwick, particularly when Heathrow's third runway is still in the sky? I spent several hours in August 07 using FFM to book an itinerary from the West Coast to Venice on AA and BA that did not involve LHR because of well reported delay and baggage loss issues. Now suddenly, AA has re-routed me into LHR, but BA flies to Venice only out of Gatwick and AA says it's totally my responsibility to get from one airport to the other." [Mary-Lynne F.]
"My family flew with Air New Zealand, LAX to London, nice airline, really enjoyed it, I do have an issue that I cannot get resolved, they overcharged my by $40 on the airport departure tax, that I paid in advance, and we never got our UAL frequent flyer miles credited, I have called and written and no one answers me at all." [Lois R.]
Until next week...
|
