"International Air Booking"

Another one of my "bucket list" trips is the Danube river cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg. Like the ocean cruise industry, the river cruise industry has been releasing innovative new and improved ships regularly.  A brochure for a wonderfully designed new ship arrived, and I placed a deposit on one of its summer sailings, conditioned on being able to find good flights to and from Europe.

Tired of our domestic carriers, I decided to check flights for one of the overseas airlines that has a reputation for efficient well-executed service. First I researched multiple leg flights from Miami on a travel search engine.  With two stops, itineraries appeared to be 28 to 35 hours each way, and priced at $1,250.  When I went to the dedicated site for the desired international carrier, I found one stop itineraries down to 16 hours for $1,530.  I returned to the site multiple times while drafting through the evening, and then at 2am a $1,350, 13-hour fare appeared!  Bingo! I continued to book it, but before i did I was directed to join the carrier's frequent flyer program.  All of the sections were completed, and I was e-mailed a confirmation of my new membership number.  With this I was supposed to be able to process the reservation.  Unfortunately the site kept not accepting my code, and then would disconnect me so I had to start the whole search and process again!  Meanwhile, each time I tried to continue to process the reservation,  the fare went up!  By 3am it was up to $1,600, and I gave up for the evening!  The next morning, I called the 800 number while driving and 30 minutes later (listening to the tape..."we'll be right with you, but in the meantime if you want immediate service, use our web site!") an agent picked up! She said if I needed help with the site not accepting my log in number (that they had given me!) I could call Tech Service from noon to 5pm weekdays!  Due to computer issues, it took her about 10 more minutes to find the itinerary, and she informed that there would be a $20 fee for not booking online...and the rate she quotes was...$3,800!  "You have got to be kidding...I had $1,350 online last night!  Are you quoting anything else other than economy or are you quoting for two passengers?"..."May I book this reservation for you?!?".   Late that night I went back online, and the site did not require my unaccepted log in number...and after a few minutes, I found the itinerary for $1,410, and I was able to book it!!! 

Lots of persistence is required to book with one of the top rated airlines...and I'm hoping the flying experience is better than the reservations systems!!!

"Air Transportation..."

My brother and I were invited to spring ski in Colorado again this year, so I checked online to compare airfares...Understand that once again timing is everything...the airline industry had just been government-reprimanded for their disregard for their customers.  Because of this, and because of the escalating cost of fuel, rates had really jumped!  Finally, coming and going from Florida in the spring is a high-demand time.

Palm Beach International (PBI) is my nearest departure airport, and our destination was Vail/Eagle.  I was still shocked to hear fares of  $1,400 from PBI, and $998 from Fort Lauderdale (FLL), an hour drive away.  Checked bags would be $25 for the first and $35 for the second  We tried to use a two for one "companion fare", but these were not an option at this high demand time. We were surprised to be able to trade in frequent flyer miles.  It used to be a 20,000 mile exchange for domestic round-trips.  This had increased to a 50,000 mile exchange!   My brother booked two round trips from FLL,  and selected aisle seats for each leg of the trip on line.

A few days before our departure, my brother checked the status of our itinerary.  All of the flights were still scheduled, but our seat selections had been deleted.  In a call, we were told to call for seats two hours before our scheduled 6:30 AM.  So 3:30 AM we called and were told to report to the airline check in desk to get seats.  There, we were told to use the kiosk (while the six attendants stood behind the desk and watched my brother use this computer system).  Bulkhead seats were offered for a $29 up charge.  We were then told that aisle seats would also be a $29 up charge, but it turned out that the system said no seats were available on the overbooked flights!  We should report to the gate!

After disrobing to our slacks and shirts, and placing all other items on the conveyor belt, we eventually both got thru the "security check".  At the gate, when questioned by us, the representative said that it had become common practice to change equipment (planes), and when they do without notice to the passengers, they cancel booked seats! We were "lucky", because we could get two seats next to each other in the next to the last row of the (long) plane.  What I didn't know was that they also put the passengers with screaming (at the top of their lungs) and kicking children in this zone too!  We were told that we  could not book return seats because the airline had a new policy of not doing that in flights from the west (I cannot always believe what reps say these days!)  Then we grabbed a egg muffin ($1 out of the airport, and $8 inside!).  Tap water was discouraged as not being safe to drink! 

As we cued in line to board, a passenger questioned when we would be boarding? The attendant yelled back that he would not tolerate passenger rage!!! Lucky again we were boarded right after the medallion, first class, and passengers traveling with small children or disabilities, so we were able to take our "carry ons" on board before the (common practice) luggage racks were filled!

"Welcome aboard...with our goal of providing first class service (in economy), when we reach cruising altitude  we will serve a cup of soda, juice or coffee .  We also offer gourmet (crackers and cheese or protein bars) for a (high) fee, but we only take credit cards for payment. We also offer a choice of movies or in flight programs for a $6 plus $2 earpiece charge!  Buckle up and watch our safety instructions video...and ENJOY your flights with us today!"