[IP] Hidden dangers in "free" airtickets
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Kobrin, Steve" <kobrins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: January 5, 2006 9:01:05 AM EST
To: David Farber <dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Hidden dangers in "free" airtickets
The development of interlinked airline groups such as Star Alliance
provides an opportunity to use “free” miles-based tickets to get to
places that your primary carrier does not serve, which is a real
benefit. However, using these networks also entails none too obvious
risks. We went to Prague from Philly over the winter break using
business class tickets obtained for miles from USAIR. The flight
return flight from Prague to Frankfort and then Frankfort to Philly
was on Lufthansa. When we called Lufthansa to reconfirm our return
trip, we were told that the flight had been “cancelled” and that we
were rebooked for the next day. (Lufthansa had never tried to get in
touch with us even though USAIR has my cell phone number.) I told
the agent that we needed to get back as scheduled and would be happy
to fly to Frankfurt the night before, or if necessary, go via train.
She replied that going the night before was not an option as they
“could not” reissue a USAIR ticket and, in any event, the Frankfurt –
Philly flight was now fully booked. (USAIR does not operate out of
Prague.) I called USAIR in Germany and while they could not do
anything about the Prague – Frankfurt leg without local operations,
they saved the day booking us on their flight from Frankfurt on the
31st . We both love European trains so the ride from Prague
through Dresden to Frankfurt was not a hardship – although it took
the better part of a day.
Now for the kicker. When I checked the Lufthansa Prague- Frankfurt
flight (on the 31st) on their website it turns out that it was not
cancelled -- just an hour late. The fact the intercontinental flight
was suddenly full in business class makes me wonder if Lufthansa
simply bumped us (we were on USAIR miles after all) for two paying
customers.
They might argue that we had free business class tickets and the risk
of a delay is the price you pay. However, the moral of the story is
that there is a real risk in using mileage-based tickets in an
alliance network. The risk is getting stuck someplace where you
primary carrier does not operate and you are left dependent on an
alliance partner – to whom you are not a frequent flyer – for
resolution of a problem. We were lucky that we had some flexibility
and could get to Frankfurt ourselves.
To be clear, I think that Lufthansa’s behavior was outrageous. That,
however, is another matter.
Steve
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