Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
"John M. [whose note appeared in a previous Crier] misses the point and does a disservice to readers when he dismisses my advice to all readers as 'silly' for suggesting that charging a $2 cup of coffee maintains one's hotel/airline points. This is the easiest, cheapest way to maintain one's airlines miles.
And no, you do not need a credit card tied to each and every airline to use the Rewards Dining trick to keeping miles active. Use one credit card, any credit card. Link it to your first airline's Rewards Dining program. Incur a minimal charge (hence, my "$2 cup of coffee" reference). Then edit (delete) that card from that airline's Rewards Dining program, link it to your next airline, and so on. This is really not much effort to preserve your miles for another maximum time period (e.g. 18 months). If Rewards Dining does not allow you to delete the card because they require at least one active card in each account, either use additional cards as needed for each subsequent airline, or wait until the miles post and then close out that Rewards Dining account with that airline.
"Any charge at any Hilton (or other hotel chain) property would keep your points active with that chain. Again, use any credit card, just make sure the charge shows up as a hotel charge (vs. an independent vendor within the hotel).
"If one has 'hundreds of thousands' of points or miles with any one company, one should take the time to research the rules for preserving them. John's anger and frustration with Hilton is in some ways understandable, but let's all learn how to avoid this. Keep a log or spreadsheet of all your hotel and airlines accounts including balances, expiration dates and/or date of last accrual. Being an elite member does not absolve one of the responsibility for managing one's own account." [Mark M.]
"Responding to John M.'s disgust with losing his HHonors points [in a previous newsletter].
"When signing up for HHonors, they clearly state that points will be deducted from non-activity, and HHonors is not the only program doing this. You should check your other points programs to ensure that you won't lose points. I think that HHonors should have notified you that you about to lose your points, but you can't complain that they are mistreating their best customers when you haven't used them for a year and it's clear and bold in their terms and conditions that points will be removed for inactivity." [Chris L.]
"Regarding the following [from a previous newsletter]:
In July 1968, I took my first transatlantic flights on a three week vacation. Flew from JFK-MAD (Iberia) - Palma de Mallorca (Iberia) - LHR (BOAC) - JFK (TWA). Total cost was $468.00, and included all flights, hotels in each city, and a rental car in Palma while there... It would cost more then five times that amount (if not more) to do the same itinerary now.
"Of course it would cost more than five times that amount -- and yes, probably more -- to do the same itinerary now. That is no wonder at all to me:
"A brief search of the internet turns up some interesting comparisons. First, I checked www.thepeoplehistory.com/ for some prices from 1968.
"In 1968, the average income per year was $7,580. In 2006, the average annual household income was $48,201.00 according to the Census Bureau -- more than a 600 percent increase.
"In 1968, the average cost of a new car was $2,822. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the average cost of a new car is $28,400, more than a 10-fold increase.
"In 1968, a gallon of gas was 34 cents -- now it's at $3.80, representing more than an 1100 percent increase.
"And in 1968, a new house (average) cost $14,950. In 2006, the average cost of a house was $299,800 -- more than 20 times what it was 38 years prior.
"Suddenly, a five-fold increase in travel seems like a bargain. Deal with it-prices go up. Your income goes up. Everything edges upward. Me, I consider my glass to be half full." [BJM]
"Everyone is always saying how bad the airline industry is getting. For the most part I agree with them. That's why when something WONDERFUL happens I feel it should get just as much press, if not more, than the bad stuff.
"I recently flew Southwest Airlines from Baltimore to Omaha. As normal, they were having bad weather in Chicago. We sat on the runway in Baltimore for about 2 hours... We got to Chicago and low and behold, the pilots couldn't continue on to Omaha because the had to have mandatory crew rest, so our flight was cancelled. Luckily we were all rebooked on the 6:35 a.m. flight to Omaha the next day, but I had to stand in line for over an hour just to get my 'new' boarding pass...
"I finally arrived in Omaha 9 hours after my scheduled arrival. Luckily I didn't have to go to work that day so I could catch up on my missed sleep unlike many of the other passengers. Southwest employees greatly apologized at numerous points during the delay.
"... Lo and behold about 2 days later I got a letter in the mail from Southwest Airlines... Needless to say, I was really impressed. I saw the part about the voucher and thought, oh how nice, they probably sent me $25. At least it's something. Was I totally blown away when I opened the voucher and saw it was for TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS. I couldn't believe my eyes. That would almost pay for a brand new ticket on my next trip east. I was flabbergasted...
"Anyway, I just wanted to send out some huge KUDOS to Southwest Airlines for realizing that customers do matter and tokens of appreciation, no matter how large or small, do inspire customer loyalty. And that's what it's going to take [CUSTOMER LOYALTY] for airlines to survive in this current economic climate.
"I love your newsletter, keep up the good work." [Michelle M. - Omaha, NE]
"I just lost $440 worth for flight credit on Southwest due to it not being used within a year of time issued.
"Foolishly, I thought I only had to book within the one year window and not actually fly during that year. So when I tried to book for a trip a few weeks after it expired (but before it actually did), I couldn't.
"Has anyone ever succeeded in getting their lost money back on one of these?
"So far Southwest has told me something like 'when Heck freezes over!'" [Rich O. - St. Louis, MO]
"I do not object to charging more for tickets or to pay for water or pillows. I was warned by the airline ahead of time. What I stenuously object to (and which may be illegal) is charging me to pay an additional charge for a frequent flyer miles. I had to pay a yearly service charge on my credith card to get those miles and at the time when I signed up for it it did not mention these extra charges. It was an "implied" contract and should be binding. If they can change the "contract" then they can charge 100 dollars instead of their recent 25 dollar charge for the frequent flier tickets. I am wondering if a class action law suit is the solution." [Sol B.]
Until next week...
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