from premier to dirt bag

(a revised 2007 post) I just used some frequent flyer miles on United. At one time (actually twice I recall) I had  Premier frequent flyer status. Now - forget it I'm just a dirt bag to them.

Had you ever heard of "mileage runs"?  It's the practice of making special trips just to keep your frequent flyer status at a higher level.  You know those desired seats with the extra space between them (called pitch)? You need to be a "Premier" to select those or pay extra money.

After the company where I worked cut back on travel, I went to dirt bag status on United.

What a difference - there was a time when they sent me free upgrades in the mail - sweet.

Oh this fickle relationship leaves me annoyed.  My dirt bag status became very apparent during a recent mileage transaction. As most travelers I wanted to fly direct. Well I found some good direct flights but when I tried booking at the 25,000 per trip rate - NO those flights were not even offered. I changed some setting and found the direct flights (more than one) were ONLY offered for TWICE the miles = 50,000!  Still economy seating just a direct vs. layover trip.

Reminds me of being dumped once by a cute girlfriend after the summer and our trips to the beach club were over.  I became worth less than a bottle of suntan lotion.

I flew the connecting flight but it sucks to know there were better flights, for the Premiers.

(oh Mr. Spaceman at the top? - he just looks upset like I feel.  Maybe they cut off his fresh air or the helmet is too tight?) 

Lastly, a 2014 update on reward programs.  Things have gotten even worst by comparison.  Back in 2007 baggage fees were not common.  Now there is minimum spending requirements to obtain elite status (vs. just miles flown) and the definition of “frequent flier mile” is no longer tied to distance but rather money spent on the ticket. See this article for more details.


I should probably find some good shoes and practice extending my thumb out.

airlines going wrong direction with fees

Here's an airline idea, charge real low dirt cheap ticket prices and then charge a large fee if you actually show up to take the flight.

I think that's what Spirit Airlines is trying to do.  Did you see their latest announcement?
Spirit Airlines will start charging as much as $45 for carry-on bags.

Did you notice it said carry-on bags?  The only "free" bags are ones that can fit under the seat.  I've never flown Spirit (flying spirit - reminds me of the afterlife) and don't ever plan to.  Someone told me that on an international flight to South America, Spirit charged them for water!

While searching around on this subject I came across the idea that this new carry-on charge makes vacations to a nudist resort more attractive.  Ok, I follow that logic but with the TSA rules you'll only be able to bring along 3 oz. of sunscreen and suntan lotion.  There are parts that I would never want to burn.

I think the charge for the first bag discourages you from flying.  A second bag charge seems reasonable.

Today the Chicago Tribune had a front page story about this battle of the bags.

"...The 10 largest U.S. carriers collected $739.8 million in baggage charges during the third quarter of 2009, double prior-year totals, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics..."

Did you heard of these women in Liverpool UK?  

Well at least these two women didn't try to sneak their stiff on board inside their carry-on.  They had a ticket for the dead guy.

Woman Arrested After Trying to Check-In Dead Husband for Flight

I suspect they didn't think this flying the dead husband idea through very well.  They placed him in a wheelchair but were they going to drag him on and off the plane?

Of course if you are dead you don't need take along any baggage, so no extra fees.

I do remember a time (80's 90's) when flying was enjoyable.  I can recall having fun trips and the airplane ride could even add to the fun.  Here's a post that recalls those fun trips.
 

A recent trip required some flying time.  Shortly after landing I felt a cold coming on.  Good thing I didn't start coughing at the airport because the airline would have charged me for taking a cold.

On the way out our flight was overbooked but we didn't want to sacrifice any vacation time so we were not interested.  Coming back a connecting flight was overbooked and I jumped on the offer of a voucher for taking the next flight.  It turned out great.  We were only delayed about 2+ hours.  This time gave us a chance to eat dinner at this great Cuban restaurant at the Miami airport  (sorry I can't recall the name at the moment).

Have you ever taken the offer to give up your seats?

Do you know about Flying Pinto's blog?  I have mentioned her blog up here before.  You should check it out and maybe send her a question about flying.  I going to ask her about this crazy carry on trend.

thanksgiving with grandma - wait where's grandma

US Airways lost Grandma

Wow that family will have an interesting conversation at Thanksgiving dinner. The 83-year old wheelchair-bound lady was wheeled onto the wrong flight.

Instead of Tampa FL, she ended up in Puerto Rico. Hmm, wonder if she likes rum. I guess they don't really check those boarding passes. The Tampa flight was probably full.

Here's the story on the local TV channel.

from PREMIER to dirt bag

I just used some frequent flyer miles on United. At one time (actually twice I think) I was a "Premier" frequent flyer. Now - forget it I'm just a dirt bag to them.

Back in July I wrote about "mileage runs"
so if you missed it or don't want to follow the link - it's making short trips just to keep your frequent flyer status at a higher level. You know those seats with the extra space between them (called pitch)? You need to be a "Premier" to select those or pay extra money.

Well even before I became a xfoner, they cut back the travel so I went to dirt bag status on United.

Man - there was a time when they sent me free upgrades in the mail - sweet.

Oh, so back to the dirt bag status and my last (might be my very last) mileage transaction. As most travelers I wanted to fly direct. Well I found some good direct flights but when I tried booking at the 25,000 per trip rate - NO those flights were not even offered. I changed some setting and found the direct flights (more than one) were ONLY offered for TWICE the miles = 50,000!!

I'm flying the connecting flight but it sucks to know there were better flights, for the Premiers.

(oh the Mr. Spaceman - he just looks upset like I feel)