Airline reviews!

[Mike]

Let's hear some! I know a few of you travel quite frequently.

I am looking for a new airline.

  I have had this United credit card and their awards program for years and don't want to give up my credit card (got an excellent limit on it and don't want to ding my score) but UNITED AIRLINES has yet disappointed me once again. I have miles but I can't redeem them for the flights I want to take because there are no more award miles seats. I also can't redeem them online because one of the legs is flown by an Alliance member (duh! I am going to Europe). When I call them, after going through phone menu hell for 30min, I get a really rude Bi#Th who tells me I am better off booking online because there is a fee for phone bookings anyways. I did tell her that the only reason I called her was because the online page didn't let me redeem my miles and suggested me calling her number. We went in circles for a while and I hung up as she transferred me to the next set of phone menu hell.
The next time I call (I tried to be smart and checked if I can get somebody more helpful under that number) I get somebody wo barely speaks English and she refers me to the milage account people to fix my problem.
Long story short, 3 hours later, the miles are still on my card and I booked with Lufthansa which let me pick my seats, meal, and everything.

Similar stories anybody?
Better airlines?

Dyslexics of the world: Don't fly UNTIED!!!

[Rooster Cruiser]

When I call them, after going through phone menu hell for 30min, I get a really rude Bi#Th who tells me I am better off booking online because there is a fee for phone bookings anyways. I did tell her that the only reason I called her was because the online page didn't let me redeem my miles and suggested me calling her number. We went in circles for a while and I hung up as she transferred me to the next set of phone menu hell.

Bummer dude.  Doesn't Lufthansa have a similar credit card scheme going?  I know more than a few airlines do.  Maybe KLM?

They need to put this next message on their phone system:

"If you would like to order Pizza while you wait, press 8."

"With Anchovies, press 9."

My response...   <click>   

RC

[Baradium]

how big of a mileage member you are makes a big difference, but Alaska Airlines and Delta both treat higher mileage plan members really well...    those are the only two I have regular experience with so I can't really offer much more.

[Mike]

hmmmm.....
Alaska is pretty good I heard.

But you brought up another problem I always have: I never know the rules on how the airlines do things. Certain members can get certain things, then it depends which time you need it, how often you flew, which time of the day it is, what your sign is, if Christmas falls on a Saturday and so on.
Imagine buying a doughnut that way? Not knowing the Price EVER until you actually get there?

[Oddball]

and you forgot if what sort of moon it is and what time high and low tides happen.

[Fabo]

Yep... revenue management is black magic... more so in the USA as in Europe.