I guess Delta wants to pump up interest in its partnership with Alaska Airlines, because they’re offering double bonus miles between September 15 and November 15, 2010, when you fly Delta (or certain SkyTeam partners) and Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air on the same ticket.  Click here for details and registration.

1. Thirty years ago yesterday, I took my first airplane ride.  I flew from RDU to DCA aboard an Eastern Air Lines DC-9 to visit my aunt and uncle.  Who knew I’d wind up living here? And who knew Eastern would now be out of business?  Five years and one month after that first airplane ride, I took my first flying lesson.  I was 15 years old.
2. Seriously people, what else can an airline charge extra for?
3. Sometimes I get bored with the airline mileage game, then I have to fly somewhere on an airline where I have no status.  Suddenly, I remember why I play the airline mileage game.

OK, this is random, probably only meaningful to me (and MrsMJonTravel), and maybe even petty on my part.  But I felt like blogging about it.  If you think I’m being difficult, comment to the blog.  I’d love to hear alternative points of view.

It’s probably a good idea to start this post with a little background.  I recently sent what I believe to be my 2nd complaint ever to American Airlines.  I wrote an actual letter, and faxed it to AA Customer Relations.  Long story short, I described my summer of travel problems at the hands of American (some within their control, some not), and I made a request.  Recognizing that American is under absolutely no obligation to do so, I kindly asked that they cancel a reservation I have for travel to Miami during the week of Thanksgiving, and refund the purchase price.

Frankly, I don’t think American is currently running a reliable enough airline to reasonably assure an arrival in Miami somewhere near the scheduled time, and on this particular trip, I simply don’t have the luxury of risking it.  Yes, I know I could say this about any airline, but no other airline has so interrupted my travel plans on very important trips this summer.  So there you have it.  I didn’t really expect American to do what I asked, but I would certainly have been impressed if they went the extra mile.

Well, here’s what they had to say:

Dear Mr. Jackson:

Thank you for contacting Customer Relations. We welcome the opportunity to respond to your concerns.

You’ve certainly been on too many flights lately that have had operational issues. We apologize. We know that on-time performance is one of the most significant aspects of our service because we recognize that our customers make important plans based on our schedules. At the same time, however, we recognize that some delays are inevitable regardless of our efforts, and I’m very sorry that you were inconvenienced when your flights have not operated on time.

In evaluating your request for a refund of your tickets in November, we carefully reviewed our policies and procedures as they relate to this matter. While I am sorry for the situation, we must respectfully decline. I am sorry.

Please be assured that we will continue to focus on our commitment to improve the timely operation of our flights. We will use your comments to remind all of us that we must do a better job of making situations such as you described a little less frustrating.

Sincerely,

(Name Withheld)

Customer Relations

American Airlines

OK, so they didn’t refund my non-refundable ticket.  And Lord knows, I could’ve gotten along all day without the “we have carefully reviewed our policies on this matter” which we all know is a load of hooey.  Given the things I described in my letter, I would have expected more.  Something like, “thank you for flying American.”  Or “we look forward to welcoming you aboard future flights.”  Or maybe even “we look forward to providing you with better service on future flights.”  OK, some combination of all that.  Maybe I just needed to vent.  Sure, had they fascinated me by doing the unexpected and provided the refund, I probably wouldn’t be posting this.  But this response left me wanting more….way more than a refund for a service they’ve yet to provide.  What say you?

I had no idea this was in the works, but according to this Flyertalk.com thread, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and Southwest Rapid Rewards are now partners.  You can earn .5 Rapid Rewards credits per qualifying stay at any Starwood hotel and transfer your Starwood points to Rapid Rewards at the rate of 1,500 points per Rapid Rewards credit.  This is one more travel option for those of us that carry the fabulous Starwood Preferred Guest credit card from American Express.  More details on the partnership here.

I’m a big fan of the Starwood Amex card, and carry it as my primary credit card.  Starwood points are among the most versatile of frequent traveler currencies out there, and I highly recommend that all travelers at least consider the Starwood Amex for their primary card.   Starwood points transfer 1 to 1 into most airline frequent traveler programs, United and Continental being notable exceptions.  While I’m not a big Southwest flier, this new partnership with Rapid Rewards is just one more feather in Starwood’s cap.  Visit spg.com/transfermiles for more details on the points to miles transfer program.  And oh yeah, you can use those Starwood points for hotel stays too. 

ETA: I just noticed Ric at Loyalty Traveler has weighed in on this topic.  Check out his post for more insight.

As I posted yesterday, American Airlines has added a new option to its “Your Choice” line of travel options.  With the introduction of Express Seats, travelers who do not fly enough to earn elite status can access better seats at the front of the cabin for a price ranging from $19 to $39 dollars.

Bottom line, I’m fine with it.  I don’t have to pay the fee since I hold elite status on American.  But I can tell you, if I didn’t have that status, and found myself flying American, I’d certainly consider springing for this depending on the situation.  Not only do you get a better seat, but you also receive Group 1 boarding, and that may be one of the best things about elite status.  Assuring space for my carry on bag is a big deal, and it’s one I would at least consider paying a few bucks for (along with a better seat) from time to time.

All that said, it’s hard not to wonder when the airlines are going to run out of things to charge for.  I do believe that there is a limit to what most of the traveling public will tolerate.  Apparently, we haven’t arrived there yet.  One thing for sure, when we get there, the airlines won’t figure it out until well after the rest of us.

Blogged about by several, but I still wanted to comment.  Delta announced on their great blog on 8/17 that their previously announced plans to allow Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Medallion SkyMiles members to upgrade award tickets has been implemented.  This is just one of several real enhancements to the SkyMiles program, which you can review here.  Another change is that companion upgrades now begin clearing at 24 hours prior to departure, after all Medallion upgrades have cleared.  Still not as good as having your companion clear with you, but certainly better.

I’ve posted many times about my affinity for Delta Air Lines, but my displeasure with Delta SkyMiles.  The changes they are making represent some improvement.  I hope the availability of award seats for premium class tickets at reasonable mileage levels improves as well.  Another change I’d love to see is the ability to redeem SkyMiles to upgrade from any coach fare.  From my perspective, the ability to upgrade using miles is a big plus, and I would like to have the ability to do so from any fare.  Delta should at least make this available to Medallions.

Unless something happens, Delta will be the airline I fly most this year.  I’ll be watching as SkyMiles evolves, hopefully for the better.

American Airlines has joined a host of other airlines in making popular seats usually reserved for elite travelers available to the unwashed masses for a fee. If you purchase one of these seats, you also receive Group 1 boarding. Right now these seats are only available for purchase at self service check in machines. I would hope that AA is working on making this available at AA.com as well. Visit AA.com/yourchoice for more information.

This has been pretty widely blogged about, but since I first heard about it via a Tweet from Carol Margolis, she gets the hat tip. 

JetBlue has reintroduced its “All You Can Jet” pass for fall travel.  Cost is $499 for flights on all days except Fridays and Sundays, and $699 for any day, the All You Can Jet pass is a neat marketing idea to gin up travel in the traditionally slow period following Labor Day.  The pass is good for travel for 30 days beginning September 7th, and is only available for purchase through Friday, or “while supplies last” so jump on it.

OK, this is actually my second attempt at this.  I’ve been tinkering on and off with a Facebook fanpage for the blog for a few months.  Right now, it’s just a way to follow blog content on Facebook.  In the future, perhaps it will be more.  In the meantime, if you’re on Facebook, become a fan of Marshall Jackson on Travel.

I’m not a big Omni Hotels guy.  I like (actually love) their hotels, but the chain just doesn’t have the reach that I need in number of properties and locations.  That said, I always enjoy the opportunity to stay at an Omni Hotel, and my recent 4-night stay at the Omni Charlotte was no different.

My day job had selected the Omni Charlotte as the location for our annual manager’s meeting, and I could not be more pleased with the choice.  Downtown Charlotte (OK, they call it uptown) has really come a long way since my days as a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  Back in the day, the sidewalks rolled up at 5pm, and there was nothing to do downtown.  Not the case anymore!  While our days were filled with work, the options to entertain ourselves in the evenings in the immediate vicinity of the hotel were many.

From check in to check out the staff was uniformly outgoing and friendly, which I suppose is to be expected in a southern city.  The room itself, a 6th floor King, was big and comfortable.  The big standard TV was a throwback to the 80′s but also an indication that the hotel may be nearing the need for an interior “refresh.”  Wireless internet was available throughout the hotel, and was complimentary due to my Omni Select Guest membership.  I did not utilize the workout facility or pool, so I can’t comment on their condition.  More motivated colleagues reported the gym to be on the smallish side.

There was no lack of dining options near the hotel.  Two favorites of mine for the week were LaVecchia’s Steak and Seafood and the Ri Ra Irish Pub.  I also enjoyed the steaks at Fleming’s, which is located in the Epicenter, and connected to the hotel via pedestrian bridge.  The Epicenter is also home to Whiskey River and Howl at the Moon, two fun spots to unwind after a long day of meetings.

A couple of random notes:  Charlotte has a new light rail transit system, Lynx, which can be useful in moving around certain parts of the city.  Taxi fare from the airport to downtown was a fixed fare of $25.00.

All in all, a good week, a good hotel, and a great stay in Charlotte.  The Omni Charlotte is near everything in downtown, and is worth considering should business or pleasure take you to Charlotte.