Feedback from the Frontlines of Travel
"Not to beat a dead horse, but Mark M.'s 'cup of coffee' method of keeping miles/points accounts alive [discussed in a previous newsletter], while easy for many, is barely feasible for others, and impossible for some.
"To begin with, as he notes, Rewards Network (which runs many, if not all, of the 'dine for miles' programs) generally requires an active credit card for each affiliated program to which you belong--Delta, United, Hilton, etc. No card can be simultaneously enrolled in more than one program, so if you're trying to keep alive, say, miles or points in two airline programs and three hotel programs, you either have to shift a credit card between the programs every few months to run a charge through for miles, or else register different cards for each program. As John pointed pointed out, the latter approach can be bad for one's credit (having too many open accounts), if you even qualify for multiple cards - which not all people do.
"Second, Rewards Network is fine if you live in a metropolitan area with lots of options for dining. In Louisiana, for instance, there are a number of restaurants in the New Orleans area. But in Baton Rouge, the state's largest city, the only choices are multiple Pizza Huts, one Mexican restaurant, and two high-end restaurants where entrees run about 50-70% above the average for "very good" places. There's exactly one non-Pizza Hut restaurant in Lafayette (the third-largest city). In the entire northern two-thirds of the state, there's one restaurant, period.
"It's not that the program isn't valuable for many -- it is. But sweeping assumptions that this is something which will work 'easily' for anyone are wrong." [Kevin M.]
"We want to use the awarded US Air companion ticket with purchase of regular ticket. We are unable to make the transaction from the computer. However the site does not allow us to note the companion tx ($99.) In speaking to agents, they say that is correct, you have to do the transaction with a ticket agent, which costs an additional $35 not only for the companion ticket but also for the regular ticket. This now means that the companion ticket is now actually $169." [Dr. Kurt B.]
"I and my partner just arrived today in Buenos Aries having flown American Airlines from Palm Springs, CA through Dallas and Miami. Not only were the flights on time but the food in first and business class was very good. All this on frequent flyer miles which I booked on line with no hassle and only a $40 charge per ticket.
"I share this because I am the first to complain these days about how terrible air travel has become so thought I should share a compliment when due. This compared with United Airlines where I flew first class recently from Chicago to LAX and the food could not have been worse. In addition, I just booked UA/Turkish Airlines to Istanbul in May using frequent flyer miles and that was nothing short of a hassle. In addition, while booking business class, United will only give me coach class on the return from Chicago to LAX even though seats are available in business class. Then United wonders why they are having problems." [M]
"In response to Keith [in a previous newsletter], US Air charging for drinks is not supposed to make money. The two dollars we pay is an inconvenience charge that the airline has imposed. We can buy a 20 oz drink at LaGuardia for 1.99 + tax as opposed to 12 oz for 2 bucks. US Air saves money by not having to buy so much soda, etc. but are charging us 2 dollars for making them have to make it available to us. The airline attendants I have talked to at US Air don't like it and have seen alcohol sales go down as well. US Air has nice attendants, their airplanes smell, and their customer service is bad... Go Southwest!" [Paul S.]
"Heeding warnings from the major airlines, I purchased round trip tickets on United for travel during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday from Lansing, Michigan to Honolulu, Hawaii in July. Now I find that the fare has dropped $400+ and would like to request the difference refunded to me but cannot find anything on United's website to request such a refund. Does anyone know whether United refunds the difference in fares, or has this practice gone by way of the dinosaurs?" [Natalie I.]
"To those that are upset that they can't take their water bottles on board this is what I do. I like a small bottle to carry in my purse as opposed to hand carrying a bottle, I dump the water before I go through Checkout, they dont say a word about my empty bottle, then when I am on the other side and walking to my gate I fill my bottle at the water fountain." [V.D.]
Until next week...
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