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"We have the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card and - I believe due to Delta's bankruptcy - we aren't able to use our miles even when we try to schedule a flight a year ahead. Apparently, they are not reserving a sufficient amount of seats, anymore. When we call, we are told they 'don't have any seats available.'
"Your site does not address this issue of number of seats available when a person wants to use their miles accumulated - which renders the miles earned useless to the customer. We'll be closing our American Express and changing to a better card/carrier when membership comes due in a few months." [Cynthia V. - Las Vegas, NV]
[FrequentFlier.com replies - The lack of award seat availability is an issue that our newsletter and website have consistently identified as the central problem of frequent flyer programs -- a problem which, if not addressed by the airlines to the satisfaction of consumers, will seriously undermine the programs' viability both as marketing programs and as revenue-generators for the airlines.]
"Having some family travel to do, I decided to redeem some of my AMEX Membership Rewards miles for flights on America West. The charts said I could do it. It wasn't as easy as the charts indicated.
"First, I had to spread my family over two different flights - because there weren't enough seats on the flight we wanted (there were 5 of us traveling).
"Then, after "paying" the miles for each "free" ticket, I found out that there was an additional $50 fee, per ticket, for using my AMEX miles on America West.
"I would have been better off to go to Travelocity and buying the tickets outright.
"I consider the AMEX Membership Rewards program to be a lot of hot air and few actual delivered promises.
"My $.02's worth." [Richard K.]
[Following is a letter to Northwest, copied to the Crier, and edited for brevity...]
"Upon arriving at DTW I went to the world club for a snack and then proceeded to gate 15 to check on any upgrades for this flight, as I am a WorldPerks Gold Member. I asked the agent and the reply was sir First Class has checked in Full.
"I thought there was something wrong, as a gold member, surely there was something, possible and exit row.
"So I called the WorldPerks elite line, and the phone agent suggested that I ask the counter again, because as a gold member certainly there was 2 TWO seats available in first class.
"I explained then that i had not yet received the gold card, and all i had was the silver, the phone agent offered to stay on the line and verify if need be. So I asked the counter and the agent said 'Sir, I told you, first Class has checked in full!'
"Now by this time the agent was borderline rude. and the phone agent said well, since I cant see the list, it is possible that there are some platinum members there that I cant see.
"The agent asks for WorldPerks elite to board. I was first in line. She halted me. she RUDELY DEMANDED to see my Elite Card. Which I promptly presented AGAIN!
"I go to my seat, the plane boards,, sparsely populated I might add. the last passenger comes down the ramp finally asking the Crew if first class was full, they say no, and I see 3 THREE obvious seats available in first class. He cant find a place for his bags, so he comes back by 8D where I was sitting which was the first place to put his bag. While offering to bring it forward for him at deplaning I asked if he was a gold member because i overheard his conversation. He said no I am silver! but regardless I cant believe how RUDE that agent was. there are plenty of seats, why dont you come on up. At this time it didnt matter, I was alone in my row, bags stowed, no reason to move. the Guy in 7F said wow, yes She was RUDE I also am a GOLD Member, she was so Rude I was afraid to approach the Desk.
"At this point I could go on, but I hope you clearly understand that it is not just me, not just this passenger, there were at least 3 on this flight alone. How many others feel this way, does Executive Management of Northwest share the same views as the people they hire? Do the people that read these commments share the same views as the people to whom they are going to send it up to? Or will this get pushed aside as just another complaint from one of those people that have really no say in how we do business?" [Dale B. - Madison, NC]
"Royal Bank customers with an AVION card can exchange their Avion points for BA miles and get a 50% bonus (by Dec. 31). You can use BA miles also on AA. Check out Royal Bank.com.
"Seasons greetings from Gary in Toronto." [Gary W.]
Until next week...
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