Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
"I have read that Continental is joining the Star Alliance.
"When would this occur? I would appreciate any information." [Donald D.]
[FrequentFlier.com replies - Integrating a new airline into one of the global airline alliances typically takes a year or so. Note, however, that Continental and United will likely link their mileage programs considerably faster.]
"Subject: United Mileage Plus - Be Careful
"I recently tried to book first/business class travel on United to Hawaii using miles.
"I opted for the Mileage Saver award and was pleased to find that there was availablility on the first set of dates I requested. While making the reservation, I dragged the cursor over the flight details and, after a few seconds, discovered that the NY LAX portion was in economy and only the LAX - OGG portion was in first. (The reverse was the case on the return.)
"United was perfectly prepared to charge me 75,000 miles per person for a trip that was half coach.
Always check the flight details before booking..." [Mike S.]
"Over the past several months, USAir has left two of my friends and myself stranded at airports with no assistance.
"I arrived at the counter less than the 45 minutes prior to departure at Sky Harbor in Phoenix. It was my first ever departing flight from that airport and I had no idea that it would take me 30 minutes to return a rental car. So, I arrived at the counter at at about 38 minutes before takeoff. I had a discount first class ticket for which I paid $1300. They gave me one option, the next flight from Phoenix to Detroit that was not full was in 9.5 hours, arriving in Detroit at 2 am. This would put me home about 4am. I had a full appointment schedule at 9 am.
"I told them that this would not work for me and I would not accept the one option. I was then labeled a 'troublemaker' (in the computer) by some old lady who was visibly shaken when I refused the only option. After, one hour on the cell phone, with an AMX travel agent listening, I got nowhere. The supervisor would not re-route me through another city even when the AMX agent told her the flights that would work...through Las Vegas...and I could get home at 8 pm. She refused. I eventually had to purchase an $800 ticket on NWA to get home that day. My other two friends have very similiar stories with USAir in San Antonio and Philadelphia.
"I, for one, would not care in the least if USAir was one of the airlines that bites the dust!!!" [WL]
"I am usually the first to complain when an airline fails to deliver as expected. But I must compliment Delta for a recent flight from Venice to Atlanta.
"I had been on a once in a life time adventure living in Italy for more than 2 months and was headed to a business convention and back home when a medical condition forced me to cancel my last week in Italy.
"Delta found me a seat on a direct flight and even notified the crew that I might have trouble walking off the flight in Atlanta. The crew on this flight was amazing and the service was wonderful. True I had cashed in all my frequent flyer points and went business class but the crew did everything to make the 11 hr flight more comfortable. Too bad this could be my last opportunity for such treatment. Next year I am taking a ship to Europe, it will probably cost the same as a ticket on Delta!" [Lee L.]
"Last month we used our American frequent flyer miles to go to Barcelona. Although American has a direct flight from NY to Barcelona it was not offered to me.
"My husband and I had to fly American to Brussels, had a 3 hour layover and then flew Brussels Air from Brussels to Barcelona. This layover added approximately 4 additional hours to our travel time. American left NY an hour late because of weather problems and then the 3 hour layover in Brussels. I paid the fees for using the miles and then the day before I left, I called American to see if I could get on the direct flight. It was wide open. However, because they issued me the tickets,
I would have had to pay $100 a ticket for the change. We opted for the layover in Brussels.
"On the return trip home, we flew Iberia to Heathrow. Another 3 hour layover (which was 4 hours due to the time change). Then American to JFK. There was a direct flight from Barcelona to JFK but we could not make it because we were coming off a cruise and would not be able to be at Barcelona airport in ample time. American offered us the return flight but not the first leg non stop. If the flight was wide open, they should have given us the direct flight.
"I am not using my City Bank Visa for miles anymore. Other credit card companies offer better deals on any airlines." [Violet S.]
Until next week...
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