What Can You Do?
Written: Mar 13 '00 (Updated May 10 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Friendly People
Cons: Made Up My own Alternate Plans
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| JBduckling's Full Review: America West |
I was looking forward to a getaway to Albuquerque for nearly a year! It's our annual bowling tournament excursion and I'm all set, ready-to-go! On the Friday I was supposed to leave, I called America West to confirm my flights and (oh-no!), my flight was cancelled due to mechanical problems. Trying to change flights over the phone was extremely difficult, in fact, impossible. The rep suggested I head to the airport to make arrangements there regarding another flight. The saga continues!
Reaching the airport in a very foggy day, all flights were cancelled leaving Milwaukee, making any change impossible. The poor, beat-up counter reps were doing their best, trying to accommodate folks on other, later flights. The best America West could do is to fly me out the following night, which would not work, since we bowled the next day. I did know there was a late flight to Las Vegas (an America West Hub) and you can get to just about anywhere from Vegas. So, I walked through the change in itineraries with the rep, getting me to New Mexico Saturday afternoon.
Instead of being in New Mexico Friday night, I made it to Nevada late Friday, leaving Vegas early Saturday, a lay-over in Phoenix, and into Albuquerque Saturday afternoon.
While I wasn't pleased about having me suggest the new itinerary,(the rep should be able to do it), there were some smiles during the trip. The counter people were all helpful and friendly during their trying times. The customer service people in Las Vegas were very helpful, seeing I was re-routed due to mechanical failure, I received a voucher for dinner and a hotel room for a few hours. Being in Las Vegas for a few hours is not the worst thing that can happen to a traveller (see my epinion on Wild Wild West Casino). Plus, all my luggage arrived on-time. Leaving New Mexico/Phoenix on Monday, I checked in real early, finding out the flight was severely over-booked! While the offer was tempting, $500 flight travel voucher, I did make it home on time.
My suggestion: Check in early with America West, regardless of the flight. If you do run into a cancellation and you have access to the Internet, go to any travel website to come up with an alternate plan, regardless of the airline. My options that evening were Las Vegas on America West or to El Paso via Continental. Nothing against El Paso, but where would you rather have a 7 hour layover? Don't be afraid to ask for things! The hotel and dinner vouchers were not offered to me until I asked the service reps. America West has a list of goals on their website, I guess I could have gotten a five minute long distance call, too. Ask away! While the mechanical end of my flight was difficult, the people I came in contact with were friendly and courteous. While America West flights are very affordable, (check out their frequent internet sales), I will think twice before booking another flight on America West. Call early and often for updates, get to the airport early!
Added note 05/10/00: Flew AW again to Las Vegas last month, no delays, great service, especially boarding the midnight "red-eye" in Las Vegas. The counter people were super-stars, checking in hundreds of passengers in minutes....Worthy of a rating increase! They were awesome!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
JBduckling
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 in Sports & Outdoors |
 in Sports & Outdoors |
 - Top 500 |
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Location: The Great State of Wisconsin
Reviews written: 426
Trusted by: 186 members
About Me:
The boys have Mommy's good looks. There's a resemblance between me and cat. Poor Kitty!
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