Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Delta Air Lines | SkyMiles
Reload this Page >

Chris Elliott double smackdown on DL today

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Chris Elliott double smackdown on DL today

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 29, 2016, 8:12 am
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
Chris Elliott double smackdown on DL today

Ok, so elliott.org is rather lame as the traveler can do no wrong and the evil airline can do no right. Somehow I end up visiting the site anyway, like a moth drawn to a flame.

So today Chris posts two smackdowns on the widget.

First up, the case of two travelers who wanted to switch to an earlier flight instead of the flight they paid for. One was allowed to switch for $50, the other was refused even with empty seats. I expect number two had an infamous E fare, which for better or worse, I believe Delta discloses all the limitations when you buy one of those.

I think the GA did the right thing in standing his/her ground. Who knows, maybe Delta RM is watching to make sure that E fare rules are followed to the letter.

http://elliott.org/thats-ridiculous-...lta-air-lines/

Case number two: Man buys tickets for family including daughter's fiance. Daughter and fiance break up, and fiance won't pay for ticket. Delta will only allow credit for fiance as that ticket is in his name.

Evil Delta will not refund ticket cost to father, even though it sounds like the lost money is well spent in ridding daughter of said fiance:

http://elliott.org/case-dismissed-2/...-sorry-for-me/

So anyway, that's the morning dose of .

Enjoy!

David
DiverDave is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 8:26 am
  #2  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
Wow - so the first guy bought (most likely) a basic economy ticket where you have to acknowledge twice that it's not changeable, and then is upset that DL wouldn't change it.
Didn't CE call BE fares "customer shaming" not too long ago due to the huge disclaimers you have to acknowledge? So which way does he want it?


The second guy wanted a refund because his daughters ex is a sleaze. A: not DL's problem, and not really verifiable. Sure it sucks to be out money, but it's not like the caterer's give you a refund of your deposit.

I'm waiting for the CE story about how DL denied boarding and called the airport cops on a drunk guy shouting racial slurs just because they didn't want to pay IDB...for shame DL! Or how DL shamefully wouldn't accept someone's emotional support hippo. Or how DL shamefully charged someone an overweight bag fee to check a baby grand piano.

CE the airlines have rules, and on many occasions bend them for customers, not breaking the rules they have clearly established is not grounds for crucifixion. Save your ranting for when airlines actually do the wrong thing and your words will carry a lot more weight.
kop84 is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 8:27 am
  #3  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
More garbage from people who think that steel tubes at 30K should be socialist utopias where all are equal.

KDCAflyer is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 8:33 am
  #4  
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
Originally Posted by DiverDave
Evil Delta will not refund ticket cost to father
Years ago - (It might've been on NW) - I bought 2 tix from PIT/TXL (I think) for myself and an acquaintance. (Notice that I didn't say, myself and a friend) My acquaintance kept himm hah-ing around about, supposedly, how long it was taking to get a passport processed. Yada. Yada.

He never did come through with the passport, or the money. I called and asked if I could use the funds, since it was charged to my credit card. NO DICE, of course.

Fortunately, it was the good old days, and, the ticket was only around $300! Lesson learned!
davetravels is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 8:45 am
  #5  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
And of course the moderator on the site refuses to approve my critical comment about the article.

Basically what I said was that the terms of an E fare are clearly outlined, and if he wanted more flexibility, he should have purchased a more expensive fare. Another misleading website with an agenda, it seems.
KDCAflyer is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 9:22 am
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
Originally Posted by WWads
And of course the moderator on the site refuses to approve my critical comment about the article.

Basically what I said was that the terms of an E fare are clearly outlined, and if he wanted more flexibility, he should have purchased a more expensive fare. Another misleading website with an agenda, it seems.
Exactly. I agree with all the above comments, Chris Elliott runs a site where the customer can do no wrong.

Sometimes the people genuinely should be helped, but mostly not.

I just posted the links for the entertainment value. Surely our pal bubba will weigh in shortly.

David
DiverDave is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 9:24 am
  #7  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
Originally Posted by DiverDave
Exactly. I agree with all the above comments, Chris Elliott runs a site where the customer can do no wrong.

Sometimes the people genuinely should be helped, but mostly not.

I just posted the links for the entertainment value. Surely our pal bubba will weigh in shortly.

David
^ Yep - a really horrible site.
GRALISTAIR is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 9:43 am
  #8  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Originally Posted by DiverDave
Exactly. I agree with all the above comments, Chris Elliott runs a site where the customer can do no wrong.
I have to ask: Why did you bother to create this thread and cite his story when you think the content (specifically these two instances) is garbage?
3Cforme is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 10:27 am
  #9  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I'm relatively sure the only thing that will make CE happy is if all airlines started selling fully flexible business class tickets for any O/D for $10 each.

And then he'd still be up in arms for people being denied tickets on a sold out flight, and for someone having a bad day having to board fifth in line and not getting to sit in the cockpit to cheer them up.
gooselee is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 10:31 am
  #10  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,460
Originally Posted by WWads
More garbage from people who think that steel tubes at 30K should be socialist utopias where all are equal.

Oh, fercrisakes.
rickg523 is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 10:44 am
  #11  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Originally Posted by DiverDave
Ok, so elliott.org is rather lame as the traveler can do no wrong and the evil airline can do no right. Somehow I end up visiting the site anyway, like a moth drawn to a flame.

So today Chris posts two smackdowns on the widget.

First up, the case of two travelers who wanted to switch to an earlier flight instead of the flight they paid for. One was allowed to switch for $50, the other was refused even with empty seats. I expect number two had an infamous E fare, which for better or worse, I believe Delta discloses all the limitations when you buy one of those.

I think the GA did the right thing in standing his/her ground. Who knows, maybe Delta RM is watching to make sure that E fare rules are followed to the letter.

http://elliott.org/thats-ridiculous-...lta-air-lines/

Case number two: Man buys tickets for family including daughter's fiance. Daughter and fiance break up, and fiance won't pay for ticket. Delta will only allow credit for fiance as that ticket is in his name.

Evil Delta will not refund ticket cost to father, even though it sounds like the lost money is well spent in ridding daughter of said fiance:

http://elliott.org/case-dismissed-2/...-sorry-for-me/

So anyway, that's the morning dose of .

Enjoy!

David
Somewhat OT, but neither of these links works for me. I get a page saying FORBIDDEN. You don't have permission to access....on this server. I'm using wifi at a hotel.

Could it be the case that CE has so offended a hotel chain recently that they have blocked his website? I'm sure I've gone to the CE website from the same hotel in the past, although probably not during the last couple months.
MSPeconomist is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 10:53 am
  #12  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Hilton Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,052
Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
Somewhat OT, but neither of these links works for me. I get a page saying FORBIDDEN. You don't have permission to access....on this server. I'm using wifi at a hotel.

Could it be the case that CE has so offended a hotel chain recently that they have blocked his website? I'm sure I've gone to the CE website from the same hotel in the past, although probably not during the last couple months.
No just click in the address bar where the link address appears after clicking on the link and click go or hit enter it will load. Its a matter of how the website is setup.
flyerCO is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 11:51 am
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
Originally Posted by 3Cforme
I have to ask: Why did you bother to create this thread and cite his story when you think the content (specifically these two instances) is garbage?
I thought that some folks here might derive some entertainment from the two "woeful" tales.

Admittedly it is not a substantive topic, but it is Delta related.

And I do actually learn some things from Mr. Elliott's sites, particularly in respect to rental car companies and the VRBO/Homeaway type services.

Cheers,

David
DiverDave is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 11:55 am
  #14  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Originally Posted by flyerCO
No just click in the address bar where the link address appears after clicking on the link and click go or hit enter it will load. Its a matter of how the website is setup.
I got in by just opening the elliott.org website and finding the two DL articles on the first page. Still, it seems strange that a hotel website would try the block anything that isn't clearly extremely offensive. Maybe I should experiment with some other websites and see whether they try to block other stuff too.
MSPeconomist is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2016, 11:56 am
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,418
Originally Posted by DiverDave
particularly in respect to rental car companies and the VRBO/Homeaway type services.
Yep. Only use credit cards to book home rentals, and always take photos of your rental car/refuse a car with any damage. Funny how so many complaints seem to come back to the same issues.....
Hoyaheel is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.