Comments on: 6 ways to get your way when you travel http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Don http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-59995 Don Tue, 04 Jan 2011 08:11:48 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-59995 I recently gave up my seat to a family that otherwise would have been seperated as flight was one seat short. I was not in any hurry and a delay didn't bother me. Seemed the correct thing to do in my particular situation. In response the airline ticket agent put me on a later flight that got to my destination only a few minutes later than the original, bumped me into first class, and issued me a r/t way ticket good for one year. I was stunned. Pays to be nice -- even when you aren't expecting anything in return. I recently gave up my seat to a family that otherwise would have been seperated as flight was one seat short. I was not in any hurry and a delay didn’t bother me. Seemed the correct thing to do in my particular situation. In response the airline ticket agent put me on a later flight that got to my destination only a few minutes later than the original, bumped me into first class, and issued me a r/t way ticket good for one year. I was stunned. Pays to be nice — even when you aren’t expecting anything in return.

]]> By: Dev http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-49307 Dev Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:22:51 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-49307 I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often. I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment.
I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

]]> By: Emanuel Levy http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-26156 Emanuel Levy Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:26:06 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-26156 I recently had the pleasure of flying on Spirit air from ACY to MCO and back. I'm a heavy guy so I book an isle seat so I can try and sit away from my seatmate (I don't spill over the armrest) Both flights were very full but as soon as the gate attendants came to their location I said that I understand the plane is very full but if there are any rows with an empty middle seat can I be moved. Both times I was moved to a window seat and seemed to have the only empty seatr on the flight next to me. I recently had the pleasure of flying on Spirit air from ACY to MCO and back. I’m a heavy guy so I book an isle seat so I can try and sit away from my seatmate (I don’t spill over the armrest)

Both flights were very full but as soon as the gate attendants came to their location I said that I understand the plane is very full but if there are any rows with an empty middle seat can I be moved. Both times I was moved to a window seat and seemed to have the only empty seatr on the flight next to me.

]]> By: s http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-25976 s Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:34:31 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-25976 as a former airline ticket/gate agent..i always bring treats... a candy bar for check in or at the gate, whoever seems particularly nice or helpful i offer a "treat for your coffee break". i bring enough for the ramp agent who hangs around the gate and also the flight attendants...works like a charm as a former airline ticket/gate agent..i always bring treats… a candy bar for check in or at the gate, whoever seems particularly nice or helpful i offer a “treat for your coffee break”. i bring enough for the ramp agent who hangs around the gate and also the flight attendants…works like a charm

]]> By: Jill http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-25829 Jill Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:46:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-25829 Just last June, I was on my way to a convention when I found myself on a cancelled flight with a waitlist a mile long. I got to the counter, and asked very nicely if there was any way at all to get on the next flight, even volunteering to take a middle seat. I explained that it was my birthday, and I just wanted to get to Disneyland to ride a roller coaster for my birthday (I'm not a young thing, so this sounds a bit daring for me). The woman fell over backwards accommodating me and put me in first class! She even went into the plane and told the flight attendants to take care of me for my birthday, to which they brought me extra dessert - it won my business with the airline... Just last June, I was on my way to a convention when I found myself on a cancelled flight with a waitlist a mile long. I got to the counter, and asked very nicely if there was any way at all to get on the next flight, even volunteering to take a middle seat. I explained that it was my birthday, and I just wanted to get to Disneyland to ride a roller coaster for my birthday (I’m not a young thing, so this sounds a bit daring for me). The woman fell over backwards accommodating me and put me in first class! She even went into the plane and told the flight attendants to take care of me for my birthday, to which they brought me extra dessert – it won my business with the airline…

]]> By: Fresh Airfare http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-25752 Fresh Airfare Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:21:05 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-25752 I addition to being kind to travel personnel, make sure you have all your paperwork (passports, id, boarding pass, confirmation #) ready to hand them when asked. Be focused on their questions and answer them promptly so as not to delay the line. When queues are long, sometimes it's good to just be processed as fast as possible, for the sake of others. When there are 50 travelers behind you at the check-in queue, make quick and precise "small talk" with the airline agent, if at all. Don't delay the queue wait any longer then it needs to be. When the lines are thinned out, then dial up the charm! I addition to being kind to travel personnel, make sure you have all your paperwork (passports, id, boarding pass, confirmation #) ready to hand them when asked. Be focused on their questions and answer them promptly so as not to delay the line.

When queues are long, sometimes it’s good to just be processed as fast as possible, for the sake of others. When there are 50 travelers behind you at the check-in queue, make quick and precise “small talk” with the airline agent, if at all. Don’t delay the queue wait any longer then it needs to be.

When the lines are thinned out, then dial up the charm!

]]> By: Chris in NC http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-25674 Chris in NC Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:36:41 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-25674 Chris (Elliott), GREAT article... I have been on the receiving end of numerous upgrades and perks for doing nothing else than just being patient and understanding. Just last month, I was checking into a luxury hotel in Atlanta. There was a bit of a line and I was the last person in line. When I got to the check-in counter, the front desk clerk was immediately pulled away by another front desk clerk. I told them to go ahead and tend to that business, I wasn't in a hurry. Yes, it took an extra 5 minutes to check in, but it turns out (unknown to me) that the front desk clerk was the front desk supervisor, and the gave my wife and I a very special complementary upgrade. I'm far from perfect, and have had my meltdowns. I'm not proud of those instances. Also, being nice also does not GUARANTEE you any preferrential treatment or upgrades. But, smiling and being pleasant always helps make someone else's day easier, and trust me, their job isn't easy! Chris (Elliott), GREAT article…

I have been on the receiving end of numerous upgrades and perks for doing nothing else than just being patient and understanding. Just last month, I was checking into a luxury hotel in Atlanta. There was a bit of a line and I was the last person in line. When I got to the check-in counter, the front desk clerk was immediately pulled away by another front desk clerk. I told them to go ahead and tend to that business, I wasn’t in a hurry. Yes, it took an extra 5 minutes to check in, but it turns out (unknown to me) that the front desk clerk was the front desk supervisor, and the gave my wife and I a very special complementary upgrade.

I’m far from perfect, and have had my meltdowns. I’m not proud of those instances. Also, being nice also does not GUARANTEE you any preferrential treatment or upgrades. But, smiling and being pleasant always helps make someone else’s day easier, and trust me, their job isn’t easy!

]]> By: Steve Wilson http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-25667 Steve Wilson Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:25:57 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-25667 I work for author, speaker, Barry Maher, http://www.barrymaher.com, quoted here. I just want to point out that Barry is always someone who goes out of his way to be nice to people and finds some specific, honest way to sincerely compliment them. One thing I learned from working with him is that it really doesn't take much effort to find something worthy of praise in almost everyone. For more on Barry visit <a href="http://www.barrymaher.com" rel="nofollow">www.barrymaher.com</a>. I work for author, speaker, Barry Maher, http://www.barrymaher.com, quoted here. I just want to point out that Barry is always someone who goes out of his way to be nice to people and finds some specific, honest way to sincerely compliment them. One thing I learned from working with him is that it really doesn’t take much effort to find something worthy of praise in almost everyone. For more on Barry visit http://www.barrymaher.com.

]]> By: Sean http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-25639 Sean Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:15:53 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-25639 A friend of mine used to be a gate agent for a major US airline and told me about a passenger that had a fit when he got to his aisle seat on a crowded international flight and found another passenger sitting in his seat. Both passengers had boarding passes for the same seat and so the flight attendant called my friend to come on board and sort out the situation. The man told my friend that he had reserved "that" specific seat a long time ago and that he refused to seat elsewhere. My friend apologized to the angry man, and then asked the elderly lady if she wouldn't mind moving her seat since the "gentleman" had reserved the seat so long ago. The lady gathered her belongings and asked my friend where she was going to sit. My friend told the lady that since it was a very full flight and no more seats were available in economy; she was going to have to move her up to business class. She did this very graciously, but all within earshot of the belligerant man who was getting his economy seat back. I recall that she said he then spoke up to "volunteer" for that seat change which my friend politely declined to give him since he had insisted on his original seat assignment which he received. I like to think he may have been nicer to people in front line customer service after that. A friend of mine used to be a gate agent for a major US airline and told me about a passenger that had a fit when he got to his aisle seat on a crowded international flight and found another passenger sitting in his seat. Both passengers had boarding passes for the same seat and so the flight attendant called my friend to come on board and sort out the situation.

The man told my friend that he had reserved “that” specific seat a long time ago and that he refused to seat elsewhere. My friend apologized to the angry man, and then asked the elderly lady if she wouldn’t mind moving her seat since the “gentleman” had reserved the seat so long ago. The lady gathered her belongings and asked my friend where she was going to sit. My friend told the lady that since it was a very full flight and no more seats were available in economy; she was going to have to move her up to business class. She did this very graciously, but all within earshot of the belligerant man who was getting his economy seat back. I recall that she said he then spoke up to “volunteer” for that seat change which my friend politely declined to give him since he had insisted on his original seat assignment which he received.

I like to think he may have been nicer to people in front line customer service after that.

]]> By: Imri http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-25633 Imri Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:09:12 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-25633 I will keep this advice in mind next time I'm travelling. Usually I'm afraid I'm not being assertive enough, but that's actually not contradictory. You need to ask for what you want, just do it politely. I will keep this advice in mind next time I’m travelling.
Usually I’m afraid I’m not being assertive enough, but that’s actually not contradictory. You need to ask for what you want, just do it politely.

]]> By: Cynthia http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-25632 Cynthia Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:02:35 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-25632 I've found I can't control what happens to me but, I can control how I react to the situation. It really is difficult sometimes - but being nice does work wonders. I’ve found I can’t control what happens to me but, I can control how I react to the situation. It really is difficult sometimes – but being nice does work wonders.

]]> By: Justin Fox http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-25628 Justin Fox Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:37:09 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-25628 I don't work for the travel industry, but I have worked in Customer Service for a long time, which I have seen every extreme. My advice to anyone, is if things are going wrong take a deep breath and put on a smile, it will usually help you out in the long run. Happen to me with a Hotel I went to this summer. Felt Sorry for the poor kid actually. The reservation system was having some "issues" and it was taking a long time to check people in and get the people settled. Standing in line you would hear people grumble and complain, and I'd bet good money that the poor kid at the desk was getting it from people. When I got to the desk the kid already had "I'm terrible sorry" speech pretty well prepared. I think I through him off when I told don't worry and take his time, we had a good conversation while he managed to get my reservation. In the End I got and nicely upgraded room that I never asked for, and wasn't expecting. Treat people Nice and fairly especially when things are going wrong and sometime good things can happen. I don’t work for the travel industry, but I have worked in Customer Service for a long time, which I have seen every extreme. My advice to anyone, is if things are going wrong take a deep breath and put on a smile, it will usually help you out in the long run. Happen to me with a Hotel I went to this summer. Felt Sorry for the poor kid actually. The reservation system was having some “issues” and it was taking a long time to check people in and get the people settled. Standing in line you would hear people grumble and complain, and I’d bet good money that the poor kid at the desk was getting it from people. When I got to the desk the kid already had “I’m terrible sorry” speech pretty well prepared. I think I through him off when I told don’t worry and take his time, we had a good conversation while he managed to get my reservation. In the End I got and nicely upgraded room that I never asked for, and wasn’t expecting. Treat people Nice and fairly especially when things are going wrong and sometime good things can happen.

]]> By: Ronda http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-25627 Ronda Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:29:10 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-25627 No one wants to deal with a damanding or rude costomer, it doesnt matter whether its at a restaurant, fast food joint, airplane or w/e. No one wants to deal with that. Its why I work extra hard to keep my cool no matter how bad the service. That way, at best another employee will see the bad service and take over, and at worst, i get to leave without an employee freakout. No one wants to deal with a damanding or rude costomer, it doesnt matter whether its at a restaurant, fast food joint, airplane or w/e. No one wants to deal with that.
Its why I work extra hard to keep my cool no matter how bad the service. That way, at best another employee will see the bad service and take over, and at worst, i get to leave without an employee freakout.

]]> By: Aviator http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-25626 Aviator Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:16:29 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-25626 Being nice to people should not be an exception.... it should be a RULE of living. Either way remain calm is the best procedure always passenger or employee. Being nice to people should not be an exception…. it should be a RULE of living. Either way remain calm is the best procedure always passenger or employee.

]]> By: brian from nodebtworldtravel.com http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/6-ways-to-get-your-way-when-you-travel/comment-page-1/#comment-25618 brian from nodebtworldtravel.com Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:24:57 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9023#comment-25618 Take a DEEP breath and be nice to the people. It's harder and harder these days with airlines nickel and dimeing you but you've got the remember the potential benefits of doing so. Anyway, getting upset is not going to change whatever situation you're in. Take a DEEP breath and be nice to the people. It’s harder and harder these days with airlines nickel and dimeing you but you’ve got the remember the potential benefits of doing so.

Anyway, getting upset is not going to change whatever situation you’re in.

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