Woman Says She Was “Stranded Outside The Country” Because A Large Passenger Needed Her Seat On Southwest

by Gary Leff

Jun 08 2023

A woman shared her story of flying Southwest Airlines from Montego Bay to Baltimore to Denver where she was refused boarding in Montego Bay, she says, because because the flight was overbooked and they were treating her as a standby passenger. She was traveling with two teenagers on the full flight, and the airline learned that a passenger of size needed an extra seat but hadn’t purchased one. So she was “stuck outside the country” to make room for that other passenger.

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The Real Reason People Hate Airlines (People Hate Comcast For This Too)

by Gary Leff

Jun 07 2023

Have you ever tried to get your cable fixed by calling Comcast? Or have you ever tried to get advice from the IRS 800 number? Most large organizations become sclerotic. The people hired to field calls may be judged not on whether they help customers, but how quickly they get rid of customers (average time per call). At the very least, they probably aren’t evaluated on whether or not they solve a customer’s problem.

Southwest Airlines denied a baggage claim even though there was video evidence, a police report, and an arrest showing the bags were stolen. Their reason? “A discrepancy.” And Southwest is hardly the Comcast of aviation.

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The World’s Airlines Have Gotten Together To Demand Less Consumer Protection

by Gary Leff

Jun 06 2023

Since delays have increased since European EU261 compensation, the airline industry argues that the financial incentive in imposing costs for delays doesn’t reduce delays. That’s a bit rich, though, to argue that an increasing number of passengers needing compensation for airline flight delays proves it’s unnecessary to pay? The incentive isn’t the only reason!

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Finally An Honest Resort Fee: At This Holiday Inn It Includes Absolutely Nothing

by Gary Leff

Jun 06 2023

More hotels should simply state, as this one does, that the add-on fee doesn’t actually get you anything. They should stop pretending you get some bundle of value when you don’t.

I actually like that this hotel doesn’t bother displaying a list of bogus benefits like a once a week yoga class outdoors at 3 a.m. in winter and a free underwater basket weaving class with mandatory extra charge for snorkel gear.

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How Marriott’s W Dallas Hotel Is Shortchanging Bonvoy Members – And Its Own Staff

by Gary Leff

Jun 06 2023

You’re charged 18% more than the actual published price of what you order, and then likely assume it covers the tip. You should add another, say, 18% – 20% on top of the 18%. But since many won’t, not asking the question, this service charge almost certainly leads to lower tips even as it leads to higher profits. In other words, it’s not just the guest being cheated it’s the employees too.

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