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.
The New Slimmed-Down Delta
"This month we took a flight to Europe on NWA, part of the New Delta, and we were shocked to see that Bigger can actually mean Smaller. Okay I don't care about the little paper head rest cloth on my seat but not only did Delta cut the NW policy of free alcohol beverages, except wine and beer, over the ocean but I was amazed to see that they were also able to shrink the meal size by at least 1/3. Could airplane meals get any smaller?
"Well they can and they did. Why would you do that? How much can you save by being penny minded on a piece of meat and some potato or pasta concoction? Delta even succeeded in slimming down the breakfast, no more cup of yoghurt and the egg biscuit ... well you get the drift ... also 1/3 smaller. I must admit I preferred the fresh banana over the traditional fruit cup. Flying back to the States only confirmed the slimming down. The chicken wrap would barely fill a 6 year old and was there really chicken in it or any else but dough for that matter?
"I guess if you are on a diet Delta is the airline to fly international otherwise I advise you to grab something to eat at the airport or take something on board if you prefer a filled stomach because even the little appetizer snack shrunk to about 11 half peanuts or was that 12?
"Really too bad ... I used to love NWA transatlantic dining service." [Reginald]
Elite Versus Non-Elite
"Just a note to you elite AA, or any airline, flyers that have no problem getting upgrades.
"You clearly have no idea what trying to get upgrades is like if you are not elite. As an elite flyer, the airlines should absolutely take care of you. But for those of us not elite, we are clearly the bottom of the food chain.
"I'm not happy about it but certainly understand the airlines' priorities. Once in a while we get lucky. Maybe more than once in a while. But for the most part, if you're not elite these days, it's a battle to get anything from the airlines, much less an award or upgrade to fit our travel needs." [Jeff D.]
Northwest Perks, the Worst
"Northwest should rename their WorldPerks program "WorstPerks"!
"They have virtually eliminated all 30,000 mile (one way) seats from Minneapolis to S.E. Asia destinations and replaced them with a minimum of 60,000 miles one way. Even these are limited and instead, they offer 75,000 miles one way for most of the travel from November until March. Delta is the same and even worse in some cases.
"I read that American Airlines is offering the same deplorable options as well. You can imagine the frustrations of trying to use the miles only to find that they have become quite worthless. I'm at the point now that I wish every one of our national carriers would cease to exist. Bring in some Asian airlines to serve the USA and I'm confident we would see a success story.
"My wife and I have a combined 800,000 miles on NWA and Delta and we are now focusing on obtaining airfare on a foreign airline for our travel to Thailand rather than use these domestic airlines that use bait and switch advertising regarding the great programs for travel with minimal miles. Let them go bankrupt."
"Thanks for letting me vent." [D.J.]
Ranting, Raving, and Flexibility
"I consistently read the 'ranting and ravings' of frustrated travelers trying to use their frequent flier miles. For years with patience and due diligence I have been able to use First, Business First and Business class tickets to just about any destination I have chosen to travel to. Flexibility helps.
"It seems a large number of information posted is nothing more than a stress release for some frustrated travelers." [Michael B.]
Alternatives to American
"I find business class on Delta, especially international, to be very good. British Airways across the pond is also very good in any class but it only gets better the higher class you go. Worth trying Advanced Economy if one can't or won't pay business class. It's very good and certainly worth the money.
"American Airlines is a dismal airline to what it was a few years ago. The staff are demoralized, the cuts have been savage and service, in any class, is poor to say the least. On one 40 minute flight, Sarasota to Miami, they didn't even bother to offer a cup of coffee. And upon making such a request was told in no un-certain manner (quite rude actually) there wasn't enough time to serve passengers anything on such a short flight.
"Perhaps they should try British Airways economy London to Manchester, also a 40 minute flight, where one is served a hot drink (or an alcoholic beverage) plus a HOT snack which was delicious. More important the flight attendants were quite civil and very pleasant. Which is something one couldn't accuse American Airlines attendants of.
"I, for one, ALWAYS try to avoid this airline. Even though I travelled first class (that's a contradiction in terms) last week but it was only to use up the accumulated air miles (and good riddance). Which is a pity since I have been with American since it first started its frequent flyer program about 27 years ago." [Martin V. - Venice, FL]
Until next week...
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