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An Early Holiday Present?
Opinion · October 25, 2002

The major airlines are offering us early holiday gifts in the form of mileage bonuses or free amenities, hoping we'll reward their generosity with more business. But a closer look at the presents suggests that the sins these airlines are trying to atone for are usually too egregious to be patched up with a few gimmicks. Is your favorite carrier naughty ... or nice?

Airline Nice Naughty Verdict
American Airlines Eliminating its $5 headset charge for in-flight entertainment next month. Premium award ticket will soon cost 50,000 miles. Give us our miles back.
America West Airlines Won’t follow other airlines on “use it or lose it” ticket policies. Also, no extra charge for paper tickets issued by travel agents. It’s the most complained-about airline. Show us an airline that isn’t complained about. Flexible tickets make a great gift.
Delta Air Lines In effort to “improve the customer travel experience” it is moving some call center operations to Philippines and India. Passengers bearing extra gifts will be charged fee of $40 for a third checked bag. Bad and worse. Baggage policy misses the holiday spirit. And since when is taking jobs out of country a good thing?
US Airways Fly its shuttle and earn triple miles through the end of the year. Slow getting to the gate? Here’s a $200 voucher. At the vanguard of new customer-hostile ticketing policies and fees. Nonrefundable tickets become worthless after departure. Extra fees abound. Santa’s sleigh is a better bet. Thanks for nothing.

 

Christopher Elliott is a travel commentator based in Key Largo, Fla. All e-mailed questions may be edited, condensed or republished at the site's discretion.