Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
"Had the identical experience as Joseph H. re American [as reported in last week's Crier].
"Lost miles in same way and was outta luck about getting them back. I was an original AA FF member when the program started and will not fly them again." [Ed B.]
"We were all clearly unhappy about the American Airlines MD80 affair, and with good reason.
"However, for me, at least, AA put their money where their mouths are.
"My flights on AA to Mexico City were delayed more than 24 hours due to the MD80 cancellations.
"When I was finally able to get somebody on the phone during those strange days, the exhausted AA agent was nevertheless very very helpful in getting me to MEX albeit a day late.
"Meanwhile, the greedy hotel in Mexico City said, 'too bad,' you gotta pay for the night you missed no matter what the reason, even though I called them immediately when I learned I couldn't make it.
"When I returned home I wrote to AA Customer Relations, explained what had happened, and asked simply for a $150 flight voucher, the amount of the lost hotel night.
"What I received was a flight voucher for $500...!!!
"In the end, who was to blame for the disaster, American, the FAA, Dubyah?
"No matter. For me (and probably many another inconvenienced traveler), with that voucher American did the right thing.
"As best they could, after the storm had passed, with that voucher American clearly showed some meaningful understanding of the massive inconvenience we travelers experienced.
"So, credit where it's due. You see, even in today's clouded airline skies there is occasionally a silver lining.
"All the best from an appreciative reader." [Baron W. - Santa Fe]
"When I received an email from Continental Air... they asked me to update my account info and this little box below indicated some minor program changes. 30 days notice to make changes... 6 months notice to cancel program. I figure you might have already received this.
"On another note... the past few months I was able to get 3 free tickets on Jetblue JFK - SJU for a flight in March and also booked 4 FF tickets on Continental in August from EWR to LHR then return CDG to EWR all using the lowest level of FF miles... hard to believe." [Andrew S.]
"The Mass Media as well as the Masses themselves seem to have missed out on the cleverly cloaked deal that Delta CEO Richard Anderson has cut with his own pilot's union without even a nod to the Northwest pilot's union. Here's the skinny: a 5% raise next year, a 4% raise each year for the next three years and no layoffs for the first two years after the merger is consummated. No layoffs readily translates into no reduction in aircraft and no elimination of routes.
"Where are the savings/What are the benefits of the merger? There aren't any! It's a deal with an iron-clad guarantee to raise costs!" [John H.]
Until next week...
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