Fattony

Virgin America refuses to acknowledge that there are people who live in between the coast (except for a select few cities). So, living in Kansas City, the only chance we get to see Virgin is (a) flying 35k feet over us, or (b) an emergency landing. Southwest is king here, and Virgin isn't an option.

Yes, it's just an intentional slight of KC and other interior cities, and has nothing to do with routes they can get (they need to get permission for slots at airports) that would be most profitable for them. Several airlines besides Southwest fly to Kansas City.

You've phoned US twice, but haven't yet phoned AA (just checked their Web site)? I'd call AA now. They should be able to find your reservation by your name.

I used UA ff miles to book a US flight PHX-SEA in March, and while UA said get the seats later, I just called US, got my US confirmation #, and seat assignment on the phone. Same process last October when I used Delta miles for a fight operated by Alaska Airlines.

You leave out a lot of info. Where are you starting? Is there a connection from somewhere else? What time to you get to SeaTac? What time does the riverboat leave? Have you looked at other options that appeal to you more? They may not exist or may be filled. I'd look at Alaska Airline's schedule for the day you travel and ask Holland America about switching if it looks feasible.

"However, it appears that Delta will not let us check our luggage in until 4 hours before our flight?" Did you verify this with Delta? I'd call Delta at SeaTac. When we flew US Airways out of DCA, I called US at the airport and they said we could check in anytime once the counters were open. Renting a car may be the best option overall, but if you're at all interested in using the club (paying the $40-50, unless you have an Am Ex Platinum card and it can still be used for admission), it's worth a phone call. I've been to that club. Pretty nice, actually. I wouldn't call it Spartan, but also wouldn't want to spend 8 hours there (I do think they have showers, however).

The shuttle bus to the consolidated rental car facility leaves from right in front of the terminal. Many companies grouped together, so you can shop there. Keep in mind the time it will take to rent a car, buy gas before returning it, checking in the car and taking the shuttle back to the terminal. If you get 5-6 hours use of the car, you may be lucky. I think Whidbey Island would be a stretch, even without a ferry.

If weather isn't great, for driving and you can check in early but don't want to pay to use the Delta club, you could take a taxi to a big shopping mall in nearby Tukwila and then shop, eat and/or see a movie. Or take light rail into Seattle.

Long Beach is closer and IMO is a better airport for a cruise trip. Delta has quite a few flights in/out of there. LAX is too congested for my liking. But then again I don't like driving downtown LA.

LAX isn't near downtown L.A., though Amtrak does, inexplicably, use LAX as their code to designate Union Station in downtown. You wouldn't go through downtown to get to LAX from the port (unless your taxi driver wanted to increase the fare). Your original question was which airport is closest. Easy answer: Long Beach. Then Orange County. Then LAX. You can obviously check fares and schedules from each airport to your destination. I have no problems using LAX, but would opt for one of the others IF feasible.

Kudos to RCI. If you have a specific agent's name, a short e-mail to RCI would be nice (I'm sure they hear complaints). Hope you write a review of your entire trip.

Did I miss the part where you said you called Princess to see if you could get a longer connection?

If conditions are bad enough, the captain will opt to forego the Horn. That's not a probability, but a possibility. Same applies to port visits. Safety is paramount. I met our ship again at Ushuaia, but I had to take the chance that it might not dock, and a couple of weeks beforehand the seas had been rough enough that a cruise ship stayed away from port and tenders were used to transport passengers to the harbor (not everyone opted to do that). When our ship, the Star Princess, docked at Ushuaia, seas were quite calm.

Any good private transfer service with much experience will be able to judge, and will know where to get info on flight delays, etc. Giving them a time estimate won't hurt, but if they've done this much before, they'll hopefully have an even better estimate than you will, and will have checked in advance to see if your flight is on time.

For an upcoming SEA-ONT trip, WN would have been $144 for the flight we preferred. Knew we'd pay $13 for Early Bird check-in. Delta was $200 for first class, and we decided to go that route, even though it arrived at ONT later (would go via SLC, while WN goes via SJC). A couple of days after buying the Delta tix, they informed us of a flight change, making our arrival in ONT even later, and downsizing the size of the plane to be used on the second leg (CRJ 700 vs. 900). If we'd known that beforehand we probably would have bought WN but, you never know what'll happen. In June, we're flying MCO-Chicago, and Southwest is non-stop whereas others are pricier and involve stops. For our subsequent flights on the same trip, other airlines work out better than WN.

It's true one has to look at each option for each trip.

No expectation whatsoever of monetary compensation. Just miles.

 

You are right about US/UA ...only after March 31st will that option no longer be available. A sad day!

 

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-March 31 is when TAM joins OneWorld. There are still a few US flights showing on the UA site for using miles on flights after that, though looks possibly like fewer than before and those may be gradually zeroing-out.

-TAM has apparently asked US for additional info. I think more productive than calling US would be calling TAM and asking them just what info they need. Ask them if you calling US would help (and, if so, get a case # of something you could give to the US customer relations office). No harm calling US, but I doubt they'll be able to quickly look up the communication from TAM. Again, it's only TAM that can decide to reimburse your miles. It may take quite a while for TAM to get back to you.

No more US flights with UA miles since the merger? Not true, at least on a number of domestic U.S. flights (e.g., PHX-SEA).

I think Munich may be a US Airways computer center. We had Munich mentioned as part of an explanation as to why part of our reservation (paid for with US) disappeared on the computer system (it was all fixed in the end). I think the gate agents don't have a way to know exactly what happened. Having someone accept blame isn't really material. You want TAM miles back. US can't restore them. Just what did TAM tell you? Did you ask if they could restore the miles if US supplied specific additional information? As I said, miles aren't the same as money, so don't expect monetary compensation.

You want US Airways to reimburse miles to your TAM account??? You complained to TAM, but they're now passing the buck to US Airways? Did TAM say they were asking US for additional information or that US would be the one who needed to compensate you? You did receive confirmation that you were ticketed on the CLT-MSY flight in first class, right? The flight was overbooked. That happens. You didn't accept being bumped to a later flight, right? If you had bought your ticket from US, you could ask them for compensation. But you didn't. Did you ask US Airways if there had been anything wrong with the booking on their flight made by TAM (e.g., in the class of service)? You say the US agent "couldn't" tell you what TAM had done wrong. What exactly did she say, and what does that have to do with fc seats being unavailable because the flight was overbooked? I'm confused.

Booking with ff miles can often be tricky. FF miles are seen by airlines as benefits, not the same as legal tender with the same legal rights involved as if you paid for the ticket with cash.

Good luck on getting something back. You booked through TAM. US Airways gave you a printout saying it was an involuntary "downgrade." US can't give you TAM miles. I haven't found either of these airlines great in customer service, but I think, especially given the fact that you're asking for miles to go to your TAM account, you have little chance getting any more help from US (you could still ask them to contact TAM on your behalf). IMHO, your only avenue for compensation is with TAM. If TAM says they can't help you, or just won't give you any miles back, you're likely out of luck. First check the terms and conditions of your ticket and see if your class of service was guaranteed.

I've taken US flights with UA miles, and will do so again soon, and have not yet had any problems. My wife has tons of TAM miles but hasn't been able to use them for international travel involving other carriers due to lack of availability.

Boa sorte!

Ah, anecdotal evidence used to prove a point or at least indicate a probability.

Your point, based on one example, is that WN is not a lower cost carrier? Or that AA is? I've not heard anyone say Southwest is always the least expensive carrier over every route on every day, even with the free bag provision. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. I've found cases where AA is several times the cost of other carriers, and may have more connections. That obviously doesn't prove AA is always more expensive. Obviously, a traveler needs to research prices for their particular travel day, on their particular route, and on the times they want (and with an acceptable routing). With WN we usually buy the Early Bird check-in option, so have to factor in that $12.95 pp.

Southwest is better than most carriers in terms of a flyer making changes, but we still don't always choose it. Like most other people, when there's a better option, we quickly choose it.

In my experience, Delta flights can depart from more than one terminal. And these are subject to last minute changes.

Maybe I missed it, but I'm also not sure how you booked your flights, whether they were booked together, and whether you in fact have already bought the tickets or are still considering. If the last, I'd certainly want more than 30 mins. If, as I suspect, the tickets are purchased and you want to know whether to worry then, yes, the answer is worry. When you arrive, check the departure time, and if you missed the connection, to go a Delta customer service desk immediately and get in line.

The minimum connection time is not necessarily the same as feasible connection time. If you booked through the airline (and maybe 3rd parties), and it's more than the minimum connection, then if you miss your connection they'll put you on the next flight with available seats, but this may not be the very next flight. Even if you make the connection, your bags may not (or vice versa), but they should be delivered to your hotel when they do arrive.

By your subject line, I assumed they completely eliminated your flight home and you were now having to buy one. I'd assume Delta gave you a third choice: refund. That is typically the case. You could have shopped on other airlines (not appealing, but maybe the best option). If you say staying overnight is not an option (at least not an appealing one), then you accept the risks of taking the early flight. If you miss it, you'd likely have to pay to rebook on another flight.

You've now been rebooked on the 10:45 a.m. flight? If so, I doubt they'd now offer you a refund, though you can always ask (assuming you found acceptable options on other airlines). If you checked the Delta schedule and found other options, even with an extra connection, they might have accepted that (assuming seats are available), but not sure they'd do it now. Again. no harm asking. I'd just say "The agent offered just two options, but I have found others that seem to work. Could you please check? The change from my original flight was involuntary, so I should not have to pay a change fee."

Airlines change schedules all the time, and cruisers know the airline don't take responsibility for one missing a cruise (or getting back to the port too late to make a flight).

Advice to talk to the cruise line to get into the first group to disembark (often done for those with flights to catch), and then getting on a taxi, with luggage in hand, seems the best idea.

We are cruising Infinity on March 16. WE arrive in Satiago on 14,taking day tour from there up coast to Valpariso. Is the Ibis near good restaurants? WE stayed at this hotel in another ciry and it was minimalistic.

We would also like to take the Tour 4 Tips tour. Is the location within walking distance from Ibis hotel? How will you get to port/terminal?

thanks in advance for help,

janines

Note from Ted&Molly, reporting from the hotel: "It is modern, but minimalist in furnishings." I think that's pretty standard for the Ibis chain. I've only seen a couple, and that description fits. You can see reviews, and photos, of this Ibis, on Tripadvisor.com, as well as other sites. It does look minimalist, but the location is apparently what you asked for: right next to the port. Some might find that less than desirable, but some obviously like it. You can see the location (including from the air) on Google Maps. I don't recall the exact location of the cruise ship check-in facility (we disembarked at Valparaiso, took a shuttle bus to the facility, and a shared van from there to Santiago). Not sure you'd want to walk very far at all with luggage, but I'm sure your hotel can advise.

I hope you'll get a chance to see Santiago. Lots of museums, shops and restaurants there.

No one can say for sure. Unpredictable, for sure. When we took the Star Princess from BA to Valparaiso, in 2006, I was so worried about the Cape (plus wanted to do some traveling in southern Argentina, which my wife had already done years ago), that I arranged to disembark in Montevideo and re-board in Ushuaia. Enjoyed my trips. My wife said the weather wasn't too bad at the Cape, but it was bad enough that the ship did not circle all the way around the rock, but turned back part way and then continued on its way to Ushuaia. That cruise's worst weather was after Punta Arenas, as we hit a Pacific storm. That was the only time they shut access to the outside decks, and many people got ill. We did get hail between Ushuaia and Punta Arenas.

I did okay during the storm, with the help of Dramamine (ended up sleeping a lot). When I went to eat in the main dining room, I just tried to avoid looking at the big waves, or even thinking about them, though my wife occasionally excitedly exclaimed "Look at that wave!" Both my wife andI bought the metal/magnetic bracelets sold in the ship's gift shop. She felt they made a real difference.

Some people have calm seas virtually the whole way. Cape Horn gets the attention, in part due to history (e.g., the Bounty, which attempted to round Cape Horn, gave up and headed to Tahiti via the Cape of Good Hope), but it's certainly not always the worst part of a cruise. And ships going to Antarctica (which are often smaller than your ship), may hit far worse weather.

Ultimately, it's up to the ship's captain to decide whether to go around the Horn.

A municipal airport, not designed to handle a plane of that size. The pilot was able to stop the plane before it went off the runway and over a bluff (it was able to take off for Branson, with weight lessened by passengers being bused). A Southwest plane did go off the runway at Burbank Airport in California a few years ago, and slid onto an adjoining street.

Most importantly: isn't the airport they landed at further from MDW than is Branson? If so, do the passengers receive extra frequent flyer miles?

Immigration likely to be more of a delay than Customs, which is normally just a matter of handing over a form you filled out on board your flight and had initialed by Immigration. Then you go to a baggage carousel to get your bags (there can be a wait), then Customs, then exit the secure area and go through security to your next flight. If the airlines are in the same terminal it shouldn't be a big deal.

Two hours would usually be doable, but I'd rather have 4, as a cushion. Looks like Air Canada may use a couple of terminals at SFO, but with 4 hours that shouldn't be a concern. You would, as noted, still have to go through Immigration and Customs, no matter what airport you enter the U.S. at.

I assume both flights will be booked together, in which case Air Canada should put you on the next flight with available seats (not necessarily the very next flight), should you miss your connection at LAX or SFO. Is there another flight that day, just in case?

You'd think they'd be potty-trained by now. http://penguins.nhl.com/

Where will you be? When I went on a day tour to the penguin island off of Ushuaia, I didn't see so much poop that I to worry about it. Trips most cruisers take there are just on boats that stay offshore the island. I wonder how many places there are that you'd be walking around so many penguins that it's a concern. If it is, I'm sure you could buy shoe/boot covers that can be washed or thrown away.

You're asking for broad generalizations in terms of safes being secure or not. Maybe someone who's had something stolen will weigh in. I've found more hotels in Brazil with safes at the front desk than in rooms. Have not stayed at your hotel. We've put valuables in room safes. Will you choose a hotel based on this? When you arrive, ask if they have a safe. At least with a room safe you usually have no intervention by the hotel staff. I would definitely avoid walking around outside with valuables (to me that means anything more than I can afford to lose).

You didn't actually fly first class in US Airways but can criticize it as less than first class? Actually, I think you are right at least to some extent, but don't now if the outlet is the most popular mark for designating a flight as first class.

US Airways has not had in-flight entertainment. even in first class, for a long time. Among other carriers such as American and United, it can vary by aircraft. In one aircraft you may get individual devices and in another, and with AC outlets, with the same airline, just monitors above every few rows. Even in first class. I wouldn't make broad generalizations about all U.S. carriers. I care more about seating, food and baggage allowances than whether I can plug in a laptop or watch a movie. But that's me. Seating can vary, of course. Flying first class SJU-PHL on US Airways, we were in a 737 and had a huge amount of leg space. We then switched to an A-320 for our fight to LAX, and had little space. I'm guessing most people cramped in economy class think more about leg space than AC power when wishing they could move up to first class. But, of course, that varies by individual.

In general, I don't find domestic first class worth the cost, regardless of airline. We've flown it only in conjunction with a business-first international fight or when using miles.

I've personally found CLT easier to navigate than PHL but, of course, much varies by the gates you're going between, day of week, time of day, etc. And I've used CLT more than PHL. Is there a back-up plan (e.g., later flight you might get on) if you miss the connection, whether at CLT or PHL?