ANOTHER Airline question!!

[jashermd]

Hello,

Personally I prefer AmEx's own Membership Rewards cards as you can transfer points to a wide range of hotel and airline programmes without being locked into one carrier or programme. I think you get more points for your locked-in programme if you choose one of the programme-specific cards, but for flexibility Membership Rewards is much better -- I've used the points to top-up a number of accounts which were just short of having enough points or miles to qualify for a reward.

Cheers,
Julian

[CMDAVILACLI]

I agree with jashermd... I now use my AMEX Membership Rewards for airline points. I converted it from the Delta/Amex program. I can apply the miles anywhere I go. FYI, Alaska has a good card, they give you a free flight coupon to anywhere they fly (includes Mexico and Hawaii) and their mileage requirements aren't too high. I also use a United Card which is so-so... I just use it when I want to use miles going to Europe.



As for Delta, I just got seriously dinged by them 2 weeks ago. About a month ago I booked a business trip to Orlando. Out of the blue, they called me (from their service center in Jamacia - Island/not Queens) and proceeded to tell me that I had been rebooked on my return flight for a flight that left 3 hours earlier! There was no way I could accept that flight as my meeting will not be over. The only option was to stay over (at my expense, of course) or cancel my flight and they would refund me the money (in 6 to 10 business days)



I found a delta schedule with a code share on Alaska that would leave around the same time as my original return flight, but Delta would not move me to that flight. It had something to do with them not being able to book in that catagory, even though they had that flight listed on their own website. But they did give me the option to change my ticket, rebook on that Alaska flight through Delta AND PAY THEM A $75.00 CHANGE FEE along with the higher rate.



Needless to say, I chose to take a clean refund and book a new ticket on United for the same price as my original ticket with hours roughly the same.



The service through Delta was TERRIBLE. They were not understanding of my business needs, couldn't get it through their heads that I just couldn't leave 3 hours earlier, and it was too bad for me that they couldn't just move me over to the Alaska code share flight that would have solved everyone's problems. Because of this, it will be a long time before I book with Delta again!



cmdavilacli

[CMDAVILACLI]

Further to the Alaska Card... I meant to say that they give you a free companion ticket to anywhere... and they give it every year!

cmdavilacli

[kyshel]

CMD--that's a sorry way to be treated by Delta's representatives.
I would write up the basic details and mail it asap. Not that I'd expect you'll get any satisfaction after the fact, but--they need to know--particularly if it entails off-shore CS agents...The reality of using these agencies is that it's the standard way to do business these days, unfortunately.

[CMDAVILACLI]

Hi Kyshel,

Often times I do write to companies when I am treated poorly (not just getting what I want, but rather just being treated like I'm some sort of trash). In regards to the Delta incident, I forgot to tell you all the best part...



I found myself getting more and more frustrated on the phone when the "customer service" agent just kept repeating the same old useless information. I get saying to her, "please try and understand my situation" and she was just awful. I then asked to speak to her supervisor, and she said that she was the "highest" person I could speak to on the phone. If I wanted to "talk" to someone higher than her, I would have to write a letter. I basically flipped out at this, and although I didn't get into a shouting match with her (what's the point with that), I kept repeating the question, "I'd like to be transferred to her supervisor". Eventually the woman said to me, and I quote " You need to adjust your attitude" put me on hold for about 10 minutes (my blood was boiling at this point) and then had the nerve, when she came back on the line to say "Are you calmed down now?



Wanting to answer her in a million different ways, I very calmly answered - "I'm more than calm!". I then hung up, booked my ticket with United, called a different Delta phone line to get my credit and, as I said, it will be a long time before I do business with Delta again.



In regards to writing to them... with their merger, I'm guessing that they really don't have time for my small problem with their customer service. It may not sound like much, but when I book many tickets on airlines, and it adds up to many, many thousands of dollars annually... and if they are willing to forgo this kind of business over a stupid $75.00 difference in fare to move me to a flight that matched my original schedule, then obviously, my comments are not important to them.



Can you imagine running your business where you tell a customer that they need to adjust their attitude? Yikes!



cmdavilacli

[kyshel]

Yikes indeed!! I had similar situation w/CS agent calling about a large rebate. Some problem that they didn't have all 12 receipts and proofs of purchase. When I asked for supervisor, she transferred me to 6 minutes of ringing phone line--no answer, of course. I know that same cartoon boiling brain feeling--there goes my BP!!! Anyway, so I called the next day, explained to another CS rep who took care of it at once. Got my check 1o days later.
My best friend used Delta thru NCL yrs ago for honeymoon cruise in the Med. All sorts of weird connection issues culminating with no luggage for 12 night cruise while the bags were delivered to their home while on the cruise. Luckily, they were selling their house, so the realtor put them inside. After she wrote the 5 pg letter, Delta actually called her personally and apologized profusely and deposited a significant # of miles in FF accts. NCL did absolutely nothing but let them clean the carry-on clothes they had. I personally believe that this is the best time to write to Delta--hopefully, they'll make it up to you.
The contracted CS agent is just that and shouldn't be doing that job--she obviously isn't very good at it! Delta needs to know.

[bonniejoy03]

You are all making me nervous! (only kidding!). I really need a card for airline points because we do not typically stay at any type of chain properties (Sheraton, Marriott, etc.) It will be worthwhile to investigage the AM ex card for Delta.



As to your customer service problems, this typically happens to me with USAir. I try SOOOO hard to be nice and patient however, there is only so much you can take.

[travel2fun]

bonniejoy03, if you and your husband make at least four or five airtrips a year and you average $5,000 or more a year in credit card spending, split for the AMEX Platinum. Yes, the annual fee is painful to pay, but the rewards program gives you maximum flexibility in using your points toward so may airlines and the free entrance to VIP air lounges is exceptional.

[bonniejoy03]

Travel2fun. We already pay a fee for the AA card and the UScard (I believe it is 80 or 90 usd.) So, we have no problem paying the fee. (though...what is it?) The only problem is that you can't use the AMEX points with the airline mileages points? This is confusing to me. For example, on my present cards, I receive credit from the credit card company that goes right to my ff point accounts. So, my ff point account and my mileages flown go together. Does that make sense? Does AMEX work this way?

[omegaet]

bonniejoy03....not to step inon the t-2-f posting, but the annual fee for the AMEX Platinum card is currently $450. I use the card and I am willing to pay the exorbitant fee, because of the various airlineVIP Clubs participating in their program (show the platinum card and asame day ticket on the respective airline and you gain access to their club...since Ido some business flying and often have long connect times or missed flights, I reallyenjoy the use of the lounges, I think it is worth the extra money....still less expensive than joining separate airline clubs). The AMEX Reward program is very flexible and allows you to transfer points to a long list of domestic and international carriers for tickets and upgrades. You can double dip bybeing a member ofthe airline FF program (thereby accumulating their FF miles) and also building up AMEX Reward points. There are a number of additional benefits offered by the AMEX Platinum card, some of which I use.



For me, the bottom line is simple....if I couldn't write the annual fee off as a business expense, I probably would not spent the extra money just to "flash platinum!"