Finally, platinum status as of yesterday on America West. Gots dat 125% bonus action going on! Yeah!

For the most part, my Am West flights are FC at this time. Coach flights factor in on occasion, and these are OK. Not great, but OK at least. FC flights on Am West are very pleasant, and definitely preferable over the other primary option of SWA. This is not to dog SWA, but they do not have any first class available by definition of their business approach.

Point being that Am West can be very good in first. Steerage class is not quite as enjoyable, and I would give steerage in Am West a decent rating in comparison to other airlines.

Still, Am West has been very good to me so far. Even on steerage flights. Why are there so many complaints in the media against Am West? -'Tis true that they can really screw-up their reservations systems on occasion. Still, I have been very pleased overall.

What is the deal on the complaints? I hate to open this post to a litany of complaints, but could those of you who complain about Am West post your grievances here? It would be interesting to read the related issues.

No, I am not an Am West employee. But, I fly this pup every week and am curious as to the grievances. I just do not see them. Personally, the issues seem to be about the same as the other airlines. Then again, there was that one time that an entire flight was delayed for half an hour due to one barfed on seat...OK, so maybe one justifiable gripe on my part.

Seriously. Grievances? Please post them and let's hear them. There have been a number so far. How about some additional ones?

Let me get on my pedastol to support America West.

I must be in the minority of people who have not suffered through lengthy delays or poor service. Granted, most of my travels have been in F of late, with some coach mixed in on shorter haul flights.

It is disconcerting to hear and read about many of HP's difficulties and short comings, but until they disappoint me or fail to meet my expecations, I will continue to patronize them.

Hey yall,

I tried HP for the 1st time in June. Already 8 segments and no complaints big enough to mention. I do have to admit that I too was upgraded on most of the flights so that could be a factor.

For my last trip, I was in LAX on an extended business trip which which spanned across a weekend. I couldn't find a decent fare back home to DFW for the weekend. But discovered an HP fare to Tampa for $158 roundtrip. I had a great weekend visiting w/Mom in Florida. Was upgraded on both of the "long haul" flights (PHX-TPA-LAS). I think the meals were a little "simple" compared to CO or AA 1st class ... but for what I paid... (the fare was cheaper than 2 more nights in LAX)

It was also a great mileage run ... should make CO Platinum by October.


[This message has been edited by steve64 (edited 08-05-2000).]

I've found America West's service to be quite good. The America West Club staff at LAS have been excellent.

My wife and I have flown perhaps a combined six or seven RTs on HP, and we've had no major problem. I think she had maybe a one-hour delay once. I'll agree that FC food is not equal to, say, CO, but it's fine.

Once you actually get up into the air , the service is fine. The problems are on the ground.

I am very sorry to tell you...but the airline HP is actually quite good to fly but never try to cash in those miles with FF.Once you find some emty award seats it will still take you about 10 weeks and 5 to 6 agents to get what you want they are just so bad at FF have you ever tried to call them ? ...Please call back some other time...please call back some other time

Sorry but now I am done! No more FF for me!!!

------------------
Viele Gr��e

Oliver

I had some pleasant experiences, and some not so pleasant, on my last TUS-LGB flight, got upgraded as a CO Platinum on both segments. The service on the second leg was good, got the preflight beverage service, the flight pushed back on time, more beverage service after the flight came back to the gate due to mechanical problems. The crew did their best to keep us informed of the increasing length of the anticipated delay. Unfortunately they had not been informed of the cancellation when a number of the passengers who had left the plane, were told by the gate agents, and returned to the plane to grab their things.

When the offical announcement was made on the plane we were also told not to go to the customer service counter, but to stay by the gate for reassignment, since they were swamped. (alas we were not the only cancelled flight that afternoon)

The next scheduled flight was pleasant and uneventful, no F/C seats were available, but I was just happy to be on my way, even in coach, and over three hours late.

On the return trip the inbound flight from PHX was cancelled for mechanical reasons. I love the little Long Beach airport, but even with all it's charm it gets old after a few hours. For all the time I spent waiting in the airports I could have driven from Tucson to Long Beach.

The lesson: First Class doesn't mean much if the plane doesn't fly.

On an OVERsold flight to Las Vegas this weekend, I was told that I needed to have my Elite card for an upgrade by the 1ST class desk checkin attendent. He couldn't have had more attitude. AmWest was asking for volunteers!
I sat in first row aisle coach and saw 1st was almost empty, then filled with STANDBYS!

On the return flight yesterday, the 1st class desk attendent upgraded without insisting on my Elite card. She also complained about the rude treatment she gets in Phoenix from the AMWest staff, even as an employee! That was NOT surprising, since it seems most of the employees are not happy with their top officiers.

The response so far has been quite varied. A number of posts indicating overall high marks for Am West, and several "died in the wool never fly Am West" again posts.

The bizarre part is that I am certain that both sides have a great deal of validity to them. Am West seems to be either very good or very bad; few people that I know seem to have an "in between" opinion of the airline.

-Just don't know here about Am West. They really have been very good to me, and I cannot complain. Even steerage class has been good, and no delays to speak of in about thirty roundtrips over the past year. Conversely, I have seen hellacious lines at the "customer service" counter (cough, cough), especially on those occasions where a number of flights have been cancelled.

This is asking for it, but any additional horror stories on Am West?

P.S. To our Deutsche (German) comrade, if you are having problems utilizing FF miles which are in your account, I will acknowledge that the FF line is always busy. If Am West ever acknowledged your prior miles and you need a hand in securing your flights via FF, just send me an e-mail and I will go down there in person and do it for you.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I have never had a problem redeeming miles for any type of award with HP. Perhaps, I just fly at off-peak times on less popular routes.

I am sorry that you are having this frustration .

I haven't had any problems redeeming FF miles. There always seems to be award coach space available on the early morning or late evening flights I choose. I have never had a problem choosing any flight for FC award travel. My encounters with HP gate agents are feast or famine. I have seen some great GAs and also some of the worst. Some who really had no idea what was going on involving flights they were handling. Usually I see the latter at LAS.

I have to make it more clear I think:

It was not difficult to get the reservation at all. FF just did not feel to credit some CO miles even so they were wrong! the german HP ofice had to file my complaint 4 times to FF before sombody was willing to look into the matter
After they filed with the some marketing international manager someone agrred I was right no apology!!!!!

They issued the ticket but then they declined to mail it to germany ( I offered to pay postage ) No sir, you need a US address - Please give me a break !!!

Here we go again - german office - marketing manager - FF finaliy gives in to all the pressure and mails the tickets to me.

As you might have noticed I got a lot of support from the german office and the US marketing department but FF does not seem to care.

So thanks again to the HP folks that helped but shame on FF!!!

Butcher Bird thanks again for your kind offer!!!!! Very nice of you to offer your help!!!!!( What a great community this is)


------------------
Viele Gr��e

Oliver

I was just looking at my on-line OnePass statement, it seems that I was upgraded on the return LGB-PHX flight on America West last month (the actual, not scheduled), I guess that the gate agent "forgot" to inform me that the upgrade had cleared.

I use HP rarely, but never a problem. Just had a good experience cleaning out my FF miles--basically got to 20300 miles and spent the 20k for a RT on Continental up to Canada. I ordered the tix on Monday for a Sat. flight--not a problem at all, no charge to expedite, seats were available (Memorial Day holiday wkend)!

I'll just now consolidate on NW any HP flying.

jl