How about some good news?
Feb 16, 2010, 1:08 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
Feb 16, 2010, 1:09 pm
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE US
Programs: Duke of Bombay, Delta Ham Sandwich tm, Delta's Glitch
Posts: 4,201
Since Jan 1 2010:
- All check-in at JFK Terminal 2 always completed in 2 minutes or less; got through TSA in no more than 5 minutes.
- JFK-LHR 76D Business Elite; purser came to offer a bottle of sparkling wine to take with me; could not accept as I was making a connection (liquids rule) but gesture was nice
- Got off a NRT-JFK flight; ground agent recognized me as I entered FIS area and yanked me to front of line. With no bags to claim, total of 6 minutes from time the 777 door opened to exiting Customs.
- On a TATL flight in BE, purser gently persuaded my seat mate to move to other open BE seats so as to provide an empty seat next to me.
- Last week on AMS-EWR on an upgraded Z reservation; flight delayed 4+ hours due to mechanical (and waiting for another plane); rebooked me into J on an earlier KL-operated AMS-JFK flight, no questions asked despite upgrade on the EWR flight; allowed me to make an important dinner in NYC that evening...
Yes, some things are still right in this world....
- All check-in at JFK Terminal 2 always completed in 2 minutes or less; got through TSA in no more than 5 minutes.
- JFK-LHR 76D Business Elite; purser came to offer a bottle of sparkling wine to take with me; could not accept as I was making a connection (liquids rule) but gesture was nice
- Got off a NRT-JFK flight; ground agent recognized me as I entered FIS area and yanked me to front of line. With no bags to claim, total of 6 minutes from time the 777 door opened to exiting Customs.
- On a TATL flight in BE, purser gently persuaded my seat mate to move to other open BE seats so as to provide an empty seat next to me.
- Last week on AMS-EWR on an upgraded Z reservation; flight delayed 4+ hours due to mechanical (and waiting for another plane); rebooked me into J on an earlier KL-operated AMS-JFK flight, no questions asked despite upgrade on the EWR flight; allowed me to make an important dinner in NYC that evening...
Yes, some things are still right in this world....
Feb 16, 2010, 1:26 pm
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE US
Programs: Duke of Bombay, Delta Ham Sandwich tm, Delta's Glitch
Posts: 4,201
Feb 16, 2010, 1:42 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still a Hilton Diamond & Club Cholula™ R.I.P. Super Plats
Posts: 25,415
However, I did enjoy lots of cognac from the CRC bars (except CVG, where they never stocked cognac in the CRC
).
Feb 16, 2010, 1:45 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: DL-DM, Marriott-Plat Premier, Starwood-Plat, Sky Club, NCR Exec
Posts: 57
A month ago, snow in the UK, I was sitting in the Birmingham Airport with no flights leaving. I called the DL Platinum line (US number) and asked if Heathrow or Gatwick were an option if I became stuck. Reservations held me a seat on the 12:50 flight from Heathrow to ATL.
Birmingham was shut down 30 minutes later. Delta had a Birmingham airport employee escort me to retrieve my bag from the luggage hold area (actually allowed me to walk down into the bowels of the airport into the baggage area).
Delta again, confirmed my seat on the 12:50. I tried to grab a train to London, but the line shut down due to ice. I instead took a train to Reading and then a cab to Heathrow.
Delta still confirmed the flight leaving on time and that I was running out of time to make the flight.
Arrived at Heathrow of which a Delta agent met me at the SkyTeam ticket counter and unfortunately, I was 5 minutes late. However, they knew I was coming and had me ticketed into JFK on the 5 pm. Personal service at the ticket counter. It was quite nice.
What really sucked was while sitting in the SkyClub, I watched them spend almost 45 minutes de-icing the plane I should have been on. Oh well.
Hey, it was better than being stuck in England for another night. I stayed at a very nice Marriott in NY and had a quiet FC flight into ATL the next morning.
It could have been MUCH worse.
Birmingham was shut down 30 minutes later. Delta had a Birmingham airport employee escort me to retrieve my bag from the luggage hold area (actually allowed me to walk down into the bowels of the airport into the baggage area).
Delta again, confirmed my seat on the 12:50. I tried to grab a train to London, but the line shut down due to ice. I instead took a train to Reading and then a cab to Heathrow.
Delta still confirmed the flight leaving on time and that I was running out of time to make the flight.
Arrived at Heathrow of which a Delta agent met me at the SkyTeam ticket counter and unfortunately, I was 5 minutes late. However, they knew I was coming and had me ticketed into JFK on the 5 pm. Personal service at the ticket counter. It was quite nice.
What really sucked was while sitting in the SkyClub, I watched them spend almost 45 minutes de-icing the plane I should have been on. Oh well.
Hey, it was better than being stuck in England for another night. I stayed at a very nice Marriott in NY and had a quiet FC flight into ATL the next morning.
It could have been MUCH worse.
Feb 16, 2010, 1:48 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
Feb 16, 2010, 1:51 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
Ok---- I got one... I had a successful redemption on SkyMiles Marketplace for a hotel room. If you are careful and do your research, this can be a good use of miles. Granted it is sad that we settle for this since redeeming miles for flights sucks so bad.... Again - looking for the GOOD.
Feb 16, 2010, 2:17 pm
#25
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Twin Cities
Programs: NW, UA
Posts: 918
Ok---- I got one... I had a successful redemption on SkyMiles Marketplace for a hotel room. If you are careful and do your research, this can be a good use of miles. Granted it is sad that we settle for this since redeeming miles for flights sucks so bad.... Again - looking for the GOOD.
Feb 16, 2010, 2:30 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 851
the DM access to skyclubs has already worked out nicely for me. ^
yesterday i learned that the E14 skyclub at ATL has some views of tarmac/runway, whilst the E15 one is a strange square within a circle thing layout. who would use E15 over E14 if they are both open? also saw the hummus dip packet things for the first time.
yesterday i learned that the E14 skyclub at ATL has some views of tarmac/runway, whilst the E15 one is a strange square within a circle thing layout. who would use E15 over E14 if they are both open? also saw the hummus dip packet things for the first time.
Feb 16, 2010, 2:34 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K, LA, WN, SPG Plat, MR Gold
Posts: 730
Although I've switched most of my flying to UA now (award availabtility is important to me), here's a good thing:
Recently, on schedule changes, I have finally been able to accept changes online! Also once I was allowed to change the flights online because the change was a big one. It's about time!
Recently, on schedule changes, I have finally been able to accept changes online! Also once I was allowed to change the flights online because the change was a big one. It's about time!
Feb 16, 2010, 2:48 pm
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE US
Programs: Duke of Bombay, Delta Ham Sandwich tm, Delta's Glitch
Posts: 4,201
A month ago, snow in the UK, I was sitting in the Birmingham Airport with no flights leaving. I called the DL Platinum line (US number) and asked if Heathrow or Gatwick were an option if I became stuck. Reservations held me a seat on the 12:50 flight from Heathrow to ATL.
Birmingham was shut down 30 minutes later. Delta had a Birmingham airport employee escort me to retrieve my bag from the luggage hold area (actually allowed me to walk down into the bowels of the airport into the baggage area).
Delta again, confirmed my seat on the 12:50. I tried to grab a train to London, but the line shut down due to ice. I instead took a train to Reading and then a cab to Heathrow.
Delta still confirmed the flight leaving on time and that I was running out of time to make the flight.
Arrived at Heathrow of which a Delta agent met me at the SkyTeam ticket counter and unfortunately, I was 5 minutes late. However, they knew I was coming and had me ticketed into JFK on the 5 pm. Personal service at the ticket counter. It was quite nice.
What really sucked was while sitting in the SkyClub, I watched them spend almost 45 minutes de-icing the plane I should have been on. Oh well.
Hey, it was better than being stuck in England for another night. I stayed at a very nice Marriott in NY and had a quiet FC flight into ATL the next morning.
It could have been MUCH worse.
Birmingham was shut down 30 minutes later. Delta had a Birmingham airport employee escort me to retrieve my bag from the luggage hold area (actually allowed me to walk down into the bowels of the airport into the baggage area).
Delta again, confirmed my seat on the 12:50. I tried to grab a train to London, but the line shut down due to ice. I instead took a train to Reading and then a cab to Heathrow.
Delta still confirmed the flight leaving on time and that I was running out of time to make the flight.
Arrived at Heathrow of which a Delta agent met me at the SkyTeam ticket counter and unfortunately, I was 5 minutes late. However, they knew I was coming and had me ticketed into JFK on the 5 pm. Personal service at the ticket counter. It was quite nice.
What really sucked was while sitting in the SkyClub, I watched them spend almost 45 minutes de-icing the plane I should have been on. Oh well.
Hey, it was better than being stuck in England for another night. I stayed at a very nice Marriott in NY and had a quiet FC flight into ATL the next morning.
It could have been MUCH worse.
Ya, but the rewards engine stinks!!!!! lol
Feb 16, 2010, 2:56 pm
#30
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,612
Good News Items Regarding Merger
My list:
1. Biz class bonus on KE went from 1.25 on WorldPerks to 1.5 on Skymiles.
2. Delta (still the NW crews and re-painted planes) is STILL beating KE in overall biz cabin comfort on the transPacific route. My latest data point was one month ago, flying DL(old NW) LAX-NRT and returning KE ICN-LAX. (And KE on KUL-ICN was like domestic "F" Yikes!)
3. Bischoff's!!!
4. Miles for CI flights booked on delta.com (and some China Eastern fares, too.)
5. Rollover!
6. And from a strictly business or stockholders' perspective, this might be the first major airline merger that has not been an OBVIOUS huge disaster (financially and operationally). (Minor disasters can be debated about.)
1. Biz class bonus on KE went from 1.25 on WorldPerks to 1.5 on Skymiles.
2. Delta (still the NW crews and re-painted planes) is STILL beating KE in overall biz cabin comfort on the transPacific route. My latest data point was one month ago, flying DL(old NW) LAX-NRT and returning KE ICN-LAX. (And KE on KUL-ICN was like domestic "F" Yikes!)
3. Bischoff's!!!
4. Miles for CI flights booked on delta.com (and some China Eastern fares, too.)
5. Rollover!
6. And from a strictly business or stockholders' perspective, this might be the first major airline merger that has not been an OBVIOUS huge disaster (financially and operationally). (Minor disasters can be debated about.)