Why are US mileage redemptions so terribly customer unfriendly?
 

I love being on hold to try and book a multicity trip while the automated message tells me to use USAirways.com next time.

I finally had an itinerary I thought would finally use up my miles. SEA - EWN (20k), EWN - PVD (12.5k). That's multicity, right?

No, sorry, that's two one ways.

Why does US care?

I thought about flying back PVD-SEA, but the cheap and great BOS-SEA nonstops lure me away.

If I thought that all of the hanging points and kludges in the US system were devilishly engineered to some maximum effect, I could, with grudging admiration, give them credit.

But, since for every inconsistency and seemingly pointless annoyance, there is also some other (seeming) inefficiency in the system that gives me access to something I value at something like a sub-market price, my sense is that:

It's a big, complex system with capital problems, cash flow problems, labor problems, and management problems -- hence lots of "kinks," annoyances, and inefficiencies. In that sense, it is wonderful that it gets me (and others) to as many places as it does, safely, and usually on time (although I still wouldn't dream of actually checking a bag on it ;))

It's not two one ways, it's an OJ!! You can call and book it for 32.5K miles!!

US airways does not have one way awards!! I'm thankful that they are really flexible with OJs, otherwise your ticket would cost 62.5K miles..

This is not an open jaw. The space between your open jaw segment cannot be more than either of the two flights. SEA-PVD is far more than PVD-EWN

From http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...mberguide.html

Yet....if you go to US Airways and buy a multicity ticket, it will sell it this way.

My point is, why does this matter to US Airways?

I think I could have done SEA-EWN, BOS/PVD-SEA, but instead am flying SEA-RDU and dodging US this time.

Thanks for comments though!

[QUOTE=javacodeguy:18746333]

This is not an open jaw. The space between your open jaw segment cannot be more than either of the two flights. SEA-PVD is far more than PVD-EWN

From http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...mberguide.html

^ Good point!! My bad; didn't check the distances!!

I couldn't agree less with your title for this thread. See my signature...

Me too.

Anyone wasting miles on domestic flights is generally less than happy by definition.

At least you can use your miles. On Delta it is almost impossible!

...except I couldn't

I have a 17 month old. I don't fly international unless Hawaii counts. :)