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.
Delta-Northwest Merger
"Last week, Ed asked (with respect to the Delta-Northwest merger):
"'With airline deregulation dating from 1978, what benefit accrues to Delta that they couldn't just simply do on their own? Add in that both carriers are parking a lot of airplanes in the Arizona desert and any sense to this merger is below the radar.'
"The merger was planned and announced before the crash in air travel that is making so many carriers park planes -- perhaps they should have foreseen that the economy was teetering on the brink of collapse, but then airline heads as a group have never been good at predictions.
"The Delta/Northwest merger has at least four things going for it, at least from the airline heads' perspective. First, Delta and Northwest's routes had far less overlap than, say, Delta and Continental's, or Northwest and United's. That meant the combined airline would have in theory more 'reach' than either did alone, without having to go out and buy scores of new planes. That was an advantage because second, neither airline has tons of cash available, but Delta could pay for the acquisition with stock -- something it couldn't do in the case of purchasing or leasing a new fleet of planes. And that, in turn, means (third) the deal could be structured to pay the architects of the deal -- the management teams of the respective airlines -- a huge bonus for consummating the deal, so it was to their specific benefit. And finally, fourth, Delta loses a competitor in markets where the two DID compete before -- so mid-sized and smaller cities where the two were the only major carriers, or the only ones with a significant number of flights, may see higher fares as a result." [Kevin M. - Baton Rouge, LA]
Phantom Passengers and Nuts
"Well, here's the other side of the coin to parking airplanes in the desert. And an example of just how whacked-out marketing and 'yield management' can be. You may know this, but a good chance your readers may not.
"My award ticket confirmed on a 'legacy carrier' and booking-partner is from London Heathrow to Chicago O'Hare connecting to LAX and then Portland, Oregon. A long journey, and very long day. Turns out using a separate award on a discount carrier from Chicago Midway to Portland gets me home seven hours earlier. There is an $18 shuttle cost in Chicago but that's cheap for the saving of time. And, there is unlikely to be any snow or ice in May to delay the shuttle.
"So, I called the legacy carrier and said I'd like to release the award seats from ORD to LAX and PDX" as a courtesy. The agent's answer was 'that will cost you $150 as a rebooking fee.' Enter David Letterman, if you will: 'What? What?' The legacy carrier agent wouldn't budge except to say 'that flight to LAX is oversold anyway.' He agreed that if I just didn't show up for the flights, that would save me $150. So, the booking remains for what will be a phantom passenger.
"No mention made of an upgrade to first class if I just agreed to fly on an old MD-80 to Tucson desert storage and stopped there.
"Which is to say not all the nuts are served row-to-row when some are in the call centers." [Ed N.]
Delta Versus American
"I can't believe I am writing -- I never write, or blog, or comment on websites or chat rooms.
"However, I look forward to your weekly email and insight! -- although I do muse over some of the emails you get on some of the topics that just illustrate how ill prepared some of your readers are regarding the basic rules and concepts of the frequent flyer world that would be easily answered by reading basic program literature or performing a minimal stroke Google search!
"I don't think I would have the patience to do your job; but I am very Thankful for the job you do -- keep up the good work!!
"Now my comment on the Delta vs American FFP debates:
"I've clocked up 7 million FF miles over the years with various programs. I'm an ex-Platinum Delta flyer from the days when they had a hub in Dallas, and nearing 5 million with American as an Exec-Platinum; and I can tell you that based on my personal experiences of trying to use my miles from the various programs that American beats Delta hands down. Award availability of premium class and coach class tickets on Delta at a plan-ahead award level, especially overseas, are as rare as hen's teeth. Their FF program is as close to a 'bait and switch' as any scam I have ever seen and could probably be liable to legal action in many European counties under a fair trading act. I would not waste my breath recommending Delta and its FFP to anyone in a sane state of mind unless there were extenuating circumstances like it was the only player in their home town (like ATL, CVG, etc.) or key to their travel patterns." [Peter H. - Richardson, TX]
Alaska Air's New Baggage Fee
"Candidly, I took out the earphones when Alaska Airlines announced a new bag fee that would be 'refunded' in some form or another if the bag wasn't on the carousel within 25 minutes of flight arrival.
"Twenty-five minutes? That's almost as long as some flights. By comparison, in two decades of flying Southwest, I might remember twice that my bags weren't ahead of me by the time I walked from the gate to baggage claim. And Southwest still doesn't charge a dime for the accommodation.
"Alaska Airlines management is and has been living in the ether of ozone. They have bragged about having a great website. My experiences have been forget it. Not once, not twice, but always.
"Many, many years ago, Alaska Airlines had a certain cachet that brought in a lot of new customers (including me). They blew it, but still think they have it.
"My bags don't fly with them, and neither do I, if there is any other option." [Ed N.]
Johannesburg International Airport (JNB)
"I'm looking for information on O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, but I don't see it listed." [Catherine R.]
[FrequentFlier.com replies - We can't find an "official" website for JNB, Johannesburg's main international airport, but we found an informative page on the World Travel Guide site, now listed here.]
Until next week...
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