Originally Posted by
BOB W
I learned a long time ago that these games can be really rewarding or really frustrating. It seems that, these days, it's more frustrating than rewarding. But, like Pavlov's dogs, FT has trained me to play the game.
I find having status gets me much more than any of the other tactics I've heard employed.
Same here. The biggest thing I've learned is that status with at least one airline is key, and I'll do what I can (reasonably) to earn that just to give me a slight edge whenever I encounter travel-related issues. I've also learned never to accept the first answer I get (if it's not the one I want). I'll call and call and call until I either identify the pattern or get the answer I prefer.