I did just post this commentary under the CO topic - but thought this could be also an OMNI-discussion (thank you baobab for the translation/explanation work of "OMNI" you did be email for me).

I guess that with my point of vue I will be in a minority-postion (even more as you chatting here show to be on the very modern side), but I don't mind - even if I can't stop that avallenge.

I use the Internet (the airline-links) to become a well informed client before I visit the airline-office or the travel-agent in person. Sometimes (and probably more often in the future) I miss some extra-bonus-miles doing this. I don't mind to much - on my personal visits I often get other advantages that are fare more worth than a few extra-miles.

Airline-PERSONS have often more flexibilities than computer-routines have - the have often (officially/legally) competences to work around strict programmed rules (wait-lists, timing-questions, seat-preferences, put different airline-tickets and hotel schedules together in one information so the can contact you "en route", the can give you sometimes free vouchers (rebates, upgrades, access to lounges), etc., etc.

I also "fight" economically/socially the airlines trend to concentrate their ticketing-workforce in one place (normally the place with the cheapest labour costs; regionally in Europe this happens to be Dublin for UA) and going on to close step by step regional offices.

The UA-Zurich-office just has been closed end of september (my beloved local UA-people, fattened and satisfied by my constant chocolate deliveries, all lost their jobs). (You may answer, that this happended because of me, because they didn't make a profit out of me anymore ...).

There is not one UA-office left in Switzerland.

I wonder why this system here never accepts my theY and makes a the out of it.

a apologize, I should read it trough before submitting it.

mea culpa

Rudi:

My experience of in person booking is the exact opposite (here in Salt Lake City, US) of yours. The last time I booked in person I realized only afterward that I could have booked a cheaper fare on line with EZ Sabre.

Far from getting any perks, coupons, consideration at the counter I expect nothing special and I get nothing special although I am always middle to upper elite FF and courteous. ( I do not however tender chocolates, but I have shared your advice with mileage challenged acquaintances.)

With E ticketing and online mileage bonuses, the only reason to approach the counter for me would be to turn in travel vouchers or coupons or to ticket award seats for family or friends.

If I do not book online, then my travel agent gets the business and I feel she does search for the lowest fare, though I haven't actually laid eyes on her, attractive though she is, in years.

I fly Delta almost exclusively. This may reflect their counter culture (hah, get it?) but I feel it probably reflects the US airline industry.

Jim

I find the Delta office here in Austin and the staff in the Crown Room in DC to be wonderful in terms of trying to upgrade me when I buy tickets from them--it's worth a trip downtown to get to deal with them. I appreciate them (and they are not fat on chocolates!)

Rudi,

I do not use the face to face approach but I love being well informed before calling the airlines. I actually ask for their quote and then after finding out that is a hundred dollars more, I tell them about what I saw on the internet. Next thing you know, I am getting a ticket even cheaper than the price I found on-line (funny how the price goes way down after they find out that you are not an idiot). I prefer booking through an agent and then just going to an office to pick up my tickets.