US Air lost my luggage and they sent me an Air Check Plus voucher for discounted future travel. The voucher is worth $50. I just tried using it and they stated that I must redeem it at the airport only. The cost for me in gas, tolls and parking to get to the airport will be over $75 and 2-3 hours in travel and wait time. Where is the logic in this. These are some of the reasons I can't fly with this company.

Switch all your travel to (CO) Continental..I switched to CO whenever possible and i fly out of PHL..Allmost all my travel involves connections at CLE/IAH..and taking flights out of EWR..but think of all those extra miles I get for taking connecting flights..it keeps me at Gold..and it goes without saying these days CO is known for the best passenger service..they are not perfect..but just take a US flight and youl the difference..its like night and day! :)

Funny thing is....I went to the airport to use one of those vouchers (My home airport is MDT, its not that busy and only 10 minutes away so I thought it would be easier to go there rather than spend half an hour waiting for foreign phone reps).

Anyways, the guy at the airport told me he could redeem the voucher there, but it would be better for me to book it on the phone since he didn't have access to all the best fares. :rolleyes:

Funny thing is....I went to the airport to use one of those vouchers (My home airport is MDT, its not that busy and only 10 minutes away so I thought it would be easier to go there rather than spend half an hour waiting for foreign phone reps).

Anyways, the guy at the airport told me he could redeem the voucher there, but it would be better for me to book it on the phone since he didn't have access to all the best fares. :rolleyes:

That is actually correct - the computers at the airport aren't programed with some of the discount offers that you'd get over the telephone. You should make the reservation on the phone and ticket it at the airport. The reservations agents are better trained on fares and pricing too, so you'd be much better off booking the reservation with them. If they refuse to book the reservation - ask for a customer service agent or supervisor.

Indeed I could book it online or with a CSR. And then drive to the airport with the record locator and voucher. But what good is the lousy voucher if it cost me more in gas tolls and parking than the damn thing is worth.

Over $75.00!?! That is really high, how far away is your airport? Does it take an entire tank of gass to get there?? Thats insain, too bad for you. You have to remember, they didnt have to give you any compensation at all. When I fly airtran, they lose my bag all the time and I ask for compensation but never get anything. And if in fact it does cost over $75 to get to the airport, then thats what it will cost you with or without the voucher. You CAN redeem the voucher online, Ive done it before. So it may not seem like a lot of money, but its more than anything I ever got with comprable airlines. :-:

Over $75.00!?! That is really high, how far away is your airport? Does it take an entire tank of gass to get there?? Thats insain, too bad for you. You have to remember, they didnt have to give you any compensation at all. When I fly airtran, they lose my bag all the time and I ask for compensation but never get anything. And if in fact it does cost over $75 to get to the airport, then thats what it will cost you with or without the voucher. You CAN redeem the voucher online, Ive done it before. So it may not seem like a lot of money, but its more than anything I ever got with comprable airlines. :-:

Not all of the vouchers are electronic. I have received three vouchers since April and all either have to be ticketed at the airport, travel agency, or ticket by mail.

To answer your questions to the OP, he/she said the following: gas, tolls and parking to get to the airport will be over $75 and 2-3 hours in travel and wait time. The OP's profile says he/she is in NJ. Both the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike are toll roads.

Over $75.00!?! That is really high, how far away is your airport? Does it take an entire tank of gass to get there?? Thats insain, too bad for you. You have to remember, they didnt have to give you any compensation at all. When I fly airtran, they lose my bag all the time and I ask for compensation but never get anything. And if in fact it does cost over $75 to get to the airport, then thats what it will cost you with or without the voucher. You CAN redeem the voucher online, Ive done it before. So it may not seem like a lot of money, but its more than anything I ever got with comprable airlines. :-:

I have two that cannot be done online. I think that's why the idiots send these worthless vouchers for every CS letter now, they know most won't use them.

I have two that cannot be done online. I think that's why the idiots send these worthless vouchers for every CS letter now, they know most won't use them.

That's also why they prefer to give out the free ticket vouchers. No one will ever be able to use them with any kind of flexibility or convenience. Come on over to NW for a real customer experience; everything like that may be completed online.

I have two that cannot be done online. I think that's why the idiots send these worthless vouchers for every CS letter now, they know most won't use them.

I recently received a voucher for $150 that couldn't be used on-line, for a CS complaint. My TA was able to call USAir and use the voucher on a flight last week, without anyone having to go to the airport to use it. The voucher consisted of a standard USAir confirmation number (6-character alpha-numeric) and all he had to do was give that to the rep on the phone, to get the discount.

I recently received a voucher for $150 that couldn't be used on-line, for a CS complaint. My TA was able to call USAir and use the voucher on a flight last week, without anyone having to go to the airport to use it. The voucher consisted of a standard USAir confirmation number (6-character alpha-numeric) and all he had to do was give that to the rep on the phone, to get the discount.

I believe that's an E-TUV - those can redeemed over the phone using the confirmation #.

The primary vouchers they give out that cannot be redeemed online are AirCheckPluses, Future Travel Awards, and some miscellaneous other vouchers (the baggage voucher, etc.).

Unbeknowst to me, my sister-in-law (a home-based travel agent) bought tickets to the east coast out of Texas on US Air for a member of my family traveling w/ another family.

Results ?

Lost ALL of their luggage (or let it become separated) on the outbound; got it to them a day later, but what a logistics hassle and major inconvenience when starting a VACATION AT A BEACH with no luggage - three of three lost.

Flight was delayed over an hour in BOTH directions out of their own Charlotte hub, for pete's sake.

Lost ONE more piece of luggage on the return trip to Texas.

I was not on the trip, but I could have half-predicted this fiasco would happen w/ USEless air.

Sad these people are so inept.

I also had a voucher that is usable only at the airport. However, it was for $300 making it well worth the drive. However this is still frustrating. In this day and age, there are plenty of electronic payment and redemption options available. I think Usair only hopes it will be too much trouble to redeem. I had a feeling when I got this carbon paper certificiate in triplicate, with a odl style stamped inventory number on it that it was going to be a trial to redeem it.

As far as getting the best fares, you can call the reservation in and then have them hold it to get the price. Then just go in and pay for it in person from the confirmation #. They will only hold it for about 3-4 days though.

uh...you can't jump line for the pissed off USelessAirways flyers...just stand in line with the rest of us. ha ha Per USelessAirways voice message, they will deal with us in a timely manner. i myself have only been standing in line for about 2 months...there are people in front with cobwebs on them...

Cmon Virgin America...start getting those flights in and outta DC...

As far as getting the best fares, you can call the reservation in and then have them hold it to get the price. Then just go in and pay for it in person from the confirmation #. They will only hold it for about 3-4 days though.

Absolutely. If you're nice, and book with less than 2 weeks, they will hold it until the day of departure. Get to the airport early (!), but only make one trip.

It's a shame the vouchers can't be redeemed on line, but a $300 voucher is better than a free tix in my book: you might pay a bit, but you get miles and segments. If you got a free ticket, you wouldn't.

Lost ALL of their luggage (or let it become separated) on the outbound; got it to them a day later, but what a logistics hassle and major inconvenience when starting a VACATION AT A BEACH with no luggage - three of three lost.

Flight was delayed over an hour in BOTH directions out of their own Charlotte hub, for pete's sake.

Lost ONE more piece of luggage on the return trip to Texas.

I was not on the trip, but I could have half-predicted this fiasco would happen w/ USEless air.

Sad these people are so inept.

....which would be why I became quite a creative suitcase-packer and downsized to a 19-in rollerboard. With those nifty space-bags, I'm able to pack four days worth of business attire, plus something to exercise in, plus one casual shirt into said 19-in rollerboard and stick that bad-boy into the overhead.

Never......and allow me to repeat for emphasis....NEVER....will I trust US with another checked-bag.

....which would be why I became quite a creative suitcase-packer and downsized to a 19-in rollerboard. With those nifty space-bags, I'm able to pack four days worth of business attire, plus something to exercise in, plus one casual shirt into said 19-in rollerboard and stick that bad-boy into the overhead.

Never......and allow me to repeat for emphasis....NEVER....will I trust US with another checked-bag.

Wow 19 in.....I'm impressed. Here I thought I was doing good with a 22. Although I have stretched 5 days into my 22. Excellent advice....never under any circumstances check bags w/US if you absolutely need them at the other end.