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"At the bottom of last week's FFC, you wrote:
Here's an idea: an airline which offers only premium coach seating -- featuring seat pitch of 35-36 inches, versus the industry standard 31-32 inches -- with prices set slightly higher than average coach fares. Save me a seat.
"I agree with you, but that is what American Airlines did a few years ago with their more room program. I switched nearly all of my flying to AA and achieved platinum (50,000 miles per year) status for several years. Then they decided that there were not enough people willing to pay a little more for the extra leg room and went back to standard pitch. I'll probably make platinum again this year, but my back and knees are taking a beating in the process as upgrades have been harder to get this year.
"I once had a travel agent tell a group that was trying to plan a multi-city trip that it was American's fault that fares were so high because 'they took out all those seats.'" [Michael M. - San Francisco, CA]
[FrequentFlier.com responds - I well remember American's "More Rooom Throughout Coach" initiative, and mourn its passing. When it was in place, American got the lion's share of my business, because I valued the extra legroom. I have spoken to a number of American executives who feel to this day that it was a strategic mistake to return to industry-standard legroom. I agree.]
"Don't know if you've already posted about how to extend United's expiration date of 12/31/07 on Mileage Plus Accounts that have had no activity during the preceding 36 months, but for those faced with expiring miles, I just learned that if the miles expire on a member's account on December 31, MP is offering a strictly unadvertised promotion to those who telephone 800-421-4655 to ask for it. They can only get this promotion after the miles are removed from their account. They will then be granted a 90-day extension to post account activity, and a reinstatement of the expired miles.
"In our family, this will save having to pay $85 ($35 transfer fee + $50 to transfer a minimum of 5000 miles at 1-cent--per mile to or from one of our accounts into the account of a college-aged son), or worry that the Mileage Plus credit card for which he's applying won't post account activity in time (they say it takes 6-8 weeks after spending the first $250).
"You run a great site, and I hope this proves helpful to others." [Jane A.]
[FrequentFlier.com responds - We covered the change in UA's mile-expiration policy, but the unpublished reinstatement policy is new information and will be appreciated by many of our readers.]
"Here I said a couple of weeks back I wasn't going to comment favorably anymore about Southwest and to avoid being considered a 'bin hog' in this space.
"But, the ongoing 'bus-station,' 'cattle corral' comments are just too much over the top. WHERE do these people who (rhymes with 'hitch') fly?? Why do they think they have to hang around the gate area -- especially with the advance check-in feature? ALL airlines general gate areas can be the pits when busy. So now I'll offer the real answer, and why these people have a problem -- and the 'secret' to being comfortable onboard.
"Because Southwest has no seat assignment, this defaults to the fact that most people are too (rhymes with 'ma'am') lazy to walk beyond the first ten rows of the airplane when boarding. Take a look at most of them, and you can see why, as well! When the front of the plane is full, and people have to walk (or drag their oversized wheelie bag an extra thirty feet) they get (rhymes with 'hissy').
"Perhaps the next Southwest ad campaign should say: 'Ask your doctor if Southwest Airlines is right for you!'" [Ed N.]
"Regarding Myra S. - Coconut Creek, FL experience with AA [in last week's Crier], I am wondering if this is the United States carrier AA?
"I cannot believe that they were so nice and helpful. It must have been an aberration." [M. H. - NYC]
"In regards to Joe B.'s letter [in last week's Crier] about getting food poisoning from a Cathay Pacific's flight from HKG-JFK, first I'd like to know exactly what he ate on the menu and when that occurred?
"Last year, I flew First Class from HKG-LAX on Cathay Pacific (CX) and I ate their cheese manicotti option (mistake) which gave me a nasty stomach ache a few hours later with the possibility of a nasty experience. However, I used my brain and asked the Cabin Crew to provide me with a glass of very warm Coca-Cola. They provide it, I drank it and it worked. They did offer an Alka-Seltzer, which at 36,000 feet would have been a disaster if I took it (you know the story of a Sea Gull eating one of those and what happens). I agree with CX's position not to provide compensation, because there's no proof one got food poisoning so quickly from the food provided on a CX aircraft. However, it is not unlikely and being that Hong Kong is China, a letter and probably a more forceful communication is warranted to require Cathay Pacific to inspect all food going onto their aircraft with the same standards they do provide from flights originating in the United States and Canada to Hong Kong. CX is Krug in First." [Al from Boston]
"Hot Newz Item!!!
"American partner British Air will no longer allow earning AA elite status bonus miles.
British Airways (Effective March 1, 2008, British Airways flights no longer earn elite status bonus miles.)
[Al]
[FrequentFlier.com responds - Thanks, Al. This is the first we've heard of the new policy. The relationship between American and British Air has always been a tense one. It's unfortunate that they are allowing that animosity to undermine the interests of their customers.]
Until next week...
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