FlyerTalk Forums - Award Travel Purchase Report

I realize that quite a few threads cover less than desirable service by airlines so I thought I'd share my experience yesterday with TWA.

I decided to re-up my TWA Ambassador's Club membership yesterday afternoon so that with the FF bonus, I would have enough mileage for 8 free round trips (sending 6 of my family to Orlando, 2 to Las Vegas). A very pleasant club operator picked up my call immediately, answered my questions, and took my order.

I thought I would have to wait a couple business days for these miles to appear and thus I would risk losing the award seats I had my eye on. Much to my surprise, my 5,000-mile bonus was credited to my Aviator account immediately following my phone purchase. I discovered this when I re-checked my mileage on the TWA web site to make certain my PIT – STL leg on my last trip has come through (it had).

Taking advantage of my good fortune, I immediately called the Elite 1 service desk. I was put through to a human being in less than 30 seconds and had selected all eight tickets within another 12 minutes.

Just because I was curious, I rechecked my TWA FF balance immediately following my service desk phone call and yes, my account already showed the 160,000 "member cash-in" and the new, much lower account total (not that I was happy to see that).

So I'm sitting here, thinking now that all the hassles of travel really are worthwhile. It feels good when everything comes together and knowing that my children and their grandparents can enjoy some valuable time together that they'll remember the rest of their lives.

And no, it doesn’t always go this way.

In any case, have a great day! I know I will.

P.S. Yes, I am following the FF guru Randy's advice... I purchased my tickets to Orlando and Las Vegas so I can rebuild my FF account for the next free travel award.