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.