Originally Posted by
socal23
I arrived to Delta Medallion desk at Terminal 2/3 at 1825. Game over already, and I knew I would be screwed, best case.
So, I explained to DA, predicated by I was at her mercy, that this was completely unexpected, and that I am not somehow an idiot. Just did not notice, as the flights are all the same as they are every time I do this route.
I told her I would take whatever she could offer. I was patient. I was complimentary. I was, well, nice.
I have found this is always the best approach. Whenever I start an exchange with "I screwed up. What are my options?" I am met with very nice responses and usually end up with a deal I would have never gotten had I started listing excuses and alibis for why DL should bend the rules for me. Glad to hear about your good experience.
I forgot to move my watch ahead one hour when flying from CST to EST (Atlanta of course). I discovered this at the gate after asking "Where is everyone?" "They're on their way to Ft. Lauderdale" was the reply. This was the last flight of the night. I did have to pay for my own hotel but DL gave me a distressed passenger rate. DL did not charge me anything to put me on the first flight the next morning. From the very beginning I took full responsibility and I am quite confident this attitude gave the counter agent a good reason to bend the rules.
The best part of the experience was her last statement. "...and your upgrade just cleared for tomorrow's flight."
