Made any travel mistakes lately?

[Awesom Andy]

Booked a cheap hotel for 2 nights for wife and daughter at last minute at her insistence as some of our regular hotels were pricey.

Room not not clean and no kettle to boil water. Can get kettle with 1,000 baht deposit. :shock:

Live and learn. At least they will be at Holiday Inn from Sunday.

You need a trip outside of the regulars every now and then to remind yourself why you should stick to what you know.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

We needed an airport hotel at Pittsburgh as we were arrriving at midnight after flying YVR/xDFW/xORD/PIT then had an 0620 departure the next day PIT/xMIA/PTY. I booked the Holiday Inn Express West Mifflin as I thought it was just across the road from the airport because on the map you could see the runways, however as it transpired they were the runways for Allegheny County Airport not Pittsburgh International Airport. So probably like staying opposite Moorabbin Airport and thinking it'll be convenient for your flight out of Tullamarine.

We were travelling HLO so on arrival we called the hotel to ask about the shuttle pickup as some hotels are on demand only (eg HIX LAX) and they said "we don't have a shuttle bus we're 25 minutes from the airport." When you hear this automatically double that time for a more accurate estimate. We decided to get a taxi but after looking at the drivers GPS it became clear that the journey was not going to be quick or inexpensive.

The fare was about USD67.00 then with the tip about USD73.00 but the driver said he'd charge us a flat rate of USD50.00 to take us back to the airport so we agreed on a pickup time of 0415 which was barely 3.5 hours from when he dropped us off and said to give him a call closer to the time to confirm we still wanted the taxi. Called him at 0400 and he already had another fare and said he coudn't be there until about 0430. He rang us back a few minutes later to say he wouldn't be there until 0450 so we cancelled the cab thinking it would be quicker to arrange another one - it wasn't.

Trying to get a cab from the Boondocks at 0415 was a big ask but an even bigger one when it was the day after a football game as New England Patriots had played the Pittsburgh Steelers the night before so there would've been a higher demand for cabs to the airport Monday morning.

The lady at reception who had checked us in only hours before was helpful in trying to get cabs but none were available and Uber said there were no cars in the area. We were beginning to stress thinking we'd miss our 0615 flight when we spotted a car waiting out the front of the hotel. SO ducked out to investigate and it turned out that it was an Uber car booked for someone else. The driver didn't think the people would want to share but SO asked them when they came down and they were cool with it so we all squished in to this compact car and off we went.

The couple were Patriots fans who came to watch the game and were flying back home to Boston on an 0630 Delta flight. Half way through the ride they got an sms from one of their friends already at the airport saying the TSA queues were ridiculous so the driver stepped on the gas and I was thinking we'd get to the airport in time but get stuck in TSA queues and miss the flight.

I was thankful I was in the backseat and couldn't see how fast we were going but we arrived at the airport at 0515 having left the hotel at 0433. TSA wasn't as hideous as I'd expected and even though I had TSA Pre-check, SO did not so we stuck together and went through the First Class lane which was only slightly shorter than the regular one. We got to our departure gate about 2 mins prior to boarding kicking off so it was a great relief to have made it.

It may have even been better to just remain at the airport in transit overnight as we would've only had to sit around from midnight until 0400 or whenever checkin opened. The airport at PIT reminded me a bit of Guam where we did a similar overnight transit sans hotel arriving from NGO at 0130 on UA being the last leg of a USDM award ticket then flying to NRT on UA on the first leg of an AV LM award ticket.

With the benefit of hindsight always being 20/20 vision, things I would do differently should I find myself in that same kind of situation again (heaven forbid):

a) not stay up late or pull an allnighter to make hotel (or any other travel related) bookings at 0300
b) check and double check hotel reservations before you depart or get travel companion to double check as well
c) the stay was an IHG award stay of 15K points with an 1800 the day prior cancellation policy but I would at least call the real airport hotel and see if they would have accepted us at the hotel we thought we were at
d) if no to option c above, consider whether it's worth paying cash for a room at the Airport HIX and forfeiting the 15K points by cancelling late/being a no-show at the hotel acutally booked
e) don't make hasty or rash decisions like just jumping in a cab without going over other options eg Uber or the above. It's hard to make the best choice when you're tired and you've had several early starts in a row

 

[nickfromeastryde]

Long post but is was a long day - Booked on QF8 to come back home after 2 months away departing around 9:00pm. Decided to stay in Miami until the last day and booked separate AA flight MIA to DFW for the same day which I knew was risky but didn't really want to spend more time in Dallas or Fort Worth by arriving on an earlier date. We do love being in Miami which has become a bit of a second home for us!!!

Arrived at MIA and checked in with no issues and proceeded to gate as noted on boarding pass. A bit surprised that nothing on screens and no one else around. Took us a while to realise I had actually booked a 9:41PM flight not AM which wouldn't have left MIA before QF8 departed. Mad panic as 4 checked bags gone and didn't know what our options were. First AA desk tried to recall bags (2 to 8 hour turnaround) then tried to book us on earlier flights. In the end she couldn't make it work, tore up new tickets and told us to go and see the baggage dept

The baggage people were fantastic, at least seemed to know what they were doing unlike the first person. Told us to go to front desk, change our flights and then come back to arrange redirection of bags when we had the new flight details. Did as told, ended up being put on flights via Houston (30 extra SC's and a few points each so not a total disaster). The baggage team only had 40 minutes at this stage before our new flights departed so still very worried.

Eventually arrived at DFW about 3:40pm and went to carousel to get bags - no bags so went to desk who quickly advised that they had arrived and were actually in another terminal (can't remember which ones). Anyway took bus and went to other baggage desk. They confirmed that they had them and proceeded to bring out 3 of our 4 bags. No sign of last bag. Needed to complete claim form but in the meantime they found out that bag was at Houston even though other bags had been put on direct flight to Dallas. Could not explain why last bag treated differently. Anyway, they rang Houston, spoke to someone that actually went away and physically retrieved our bag and then arranged to get on 6:15PM flight and confirmed that bag would be delivered to Qantas. They did however advise that is would not make our flight that night. Advised to lodge claim with Qantas when we arrived in Sydney.

Not happy but nothing more we could do (at least we had a confirmed claim lodged), so got back on the bus and made our way round to terminal D to check in for QF8. Advised problem but Qantas also told us that bag would not be loaded and that we would have to arrange return once back in Sydney, very frustrating especially as it was self inflicted

Nice flight, touched down at 6:15 and through immigration in record time and at carousel by 6:40. First bag we see is the one that had gone missing with the other three about 20 seconds behind. Out of airport and into Uber by 6:50 and home within an hour of touching down, a record for us so in the end a fantastic outcome. Still have no idea how I picked a PM flight, will be more careful next time and will never do a same day connection like this one again

A couple of call outs:
1. AA were fantastic to deal with - found alternative flights and interestingly no charge to make the changes. Different baggage staff were all very helpful, knew their job and in my opinion went out of their way to deliver a great outcome
2. Qantas did deliver in the end, bag must have arrived quite late and great to see that someone showed enough initiative to get it onto our flight. I'm assuming our Qantas tags must have helped, it was a wonderful and unexpected surprise to see that bag when we arrived back in Sydney
3. Just hope that barcode never falls off bags, I'm certain they would never be found again

So in the end, no harm done and a few lessons learned on being more careful next time

 

[JessicaTam]

I suspect that the USA not using the 24 hour clock may have something to do with it. Good result in the end.

 

[jsd]

Not so much as a mistake as a poor judgement call. Booked a hotel in Patong Beach before I left Hobart last week. Place seemed okay, I knew the location well and the reviews checked out so life seemed sweet.

Arrived in HKT and picked up a ticket for a minibus transfer down to Patong (secondary mistake, takes way too long). And pretty much collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep without checking out the room in any great detail.

Wole up this morning and turned on the TV to watch the news, no signal. Okay, could like with that. Went to have a shower and turned on the light in the bathroom and was totally taken aback by the poor state of the bathroom. Floor to ceiling mould in the shower and no shower screen and the broken shower head spreader water all over the room the second I turned it on. Down to the desk and shown another room which was a carbon copy of the first. Decided to cut my losses and move to the ibis on the other side of Patong. Dragging my bags through traffic in 30 degree isn't my idea of fun but sometimes these things happen.

Settled into my cosy room at the ibis watching a movie in perfect HD. had to argue for Le Club Gold benefits but totally worth the money.

 

[GDSman]

Checked in for VA705 HBA-BNE yesterday. Red light flashed at gate...."I see what's wrong - you're booked on tomorrow's flight."
Whoops.
VA gate staff saved my blushes and managed to get me on...and still got an aisle seat. Thanks Virgin.....
Must remember to check booking next time....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Checked in for VA705 HBA-BNE yesterday. Red light flashed at gate...."I see what's wrong - you're booked on tomorrow's flight."
Whoops.
VA gate staff saved my blushes and managed to get me on...and still got an aisle seat. Thanks Virgin.....
Must remember to check booking next time....

Hey, fly ahead by a whole day! VA are so weird. All they need do is impress people with service like that and they'd be winners. Instead they've usually gone in the opposite direction. Congrats to a helpful check in staffer. BTW, was the tix a flexi or a saver (or whatever version they're now running with)?

 

[RooFlyer]

Have a horrible feeling I'm making a major mistake right now (and JoJen is not allowed to roll eyes on this one )

I need an Indian tourist visa by the end of this month. Went to the web site ages ago and saw you could get an e-visa Sweet! Went back last week to do it (T-5 weeks), but they have a window of 34 days prior to arrival to apply, so I held off until yesterday.
<snip>

I feel obliged to come clean and say that the Indian visa came through with no probs; passport arrived back a week after I posted it off.

Not without a couple of twangs of worry along the way though. I got a few 'progress of your application' texts that originated in France and an e-mail saying that the processed passport was being 'sent back to the Melbourne centre where you applied' (I had applied by post, from Tasmania).

Anyway, well done the Indian visa people - my actual mistake was to worry too much.

 

[JohnM]

my actual mistake was to worry too much.

Worriers not permitted .

 

[RAM]

I feel obliged to come clean and say that the Indian visa came through with no probs; passport arrived back a week after I posted it off.

Not without a couple of twangs of worry along the way though. I got a few 'progress of your application' texts that originated in France and an e-mail saying that the processed passport was being 'sent back to the Melbourne centre where you applied' (I had applied by post, from Tasmania).

Anyway, well done the Indian visa people - my actual mistake was to worry too much.

..but that name's already taken!

 

[coriander]

Not sure if I've made a travel mistake yet...... I'd looked for a quasi-SR to get from LAS-xDFW-DCA then DCA-xDFW-LAX on AA in F for March next year (360SC pushes me well into WP maintain territory; even the SC re-adjustment by AA still gets me to within 20 SC of WP, so a run to LST should mean I re-qualify).

Price on Google Flights was $1133, so I waited. As expected, price dropped to $1007, hmmm... better. Then went to $1022, ah ok.

Decided I'd better book the flights but then just before I went to do that Monday, I got a Google Flights alert:

"there's been a price change on your tracked flight": $4005! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Hopefully that's just a short-term aberration, hopefully...........

I haven't mentioned this latest "adjustment" to SWMBO.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Price on Google Flights was $1133, so I waited. As expected, price dropped to $1007, hmmm... better. Then went to $1022, ah ok.

Decided I'd better book the flights but then just before I went to do that Monday, I got a Google Flights alert:

"there's been a price change on your tracked flight": $4005! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

That reminds me of those radio contests named something like "beat the bomb" with the cresendoing ticking clock, different wads of cash offered ... and an IED for those who leave it too long. Please keep us informed as to which level of winner, or loser, you end up as!

 

[coriander]

That reminds me of those radio contests named something like "beat the bomb" with the cresendoing ticking clock

Tick, tick, TICK, TICK, tick, tick.........

No sooner I post my message above, I get another email from Google Flights:

Sigh. ISTR the "accepted wisdom" (I think I read that on FT last year) is that prices are cheapest 56-66 days out.
Do I keep playing "Beat The Bomb"? (currently at 115 days out).

 

[Boca68]

Tick, tick, TICK, TICK, tick, tick.........

No sooner I post my message above, I get another email from Google Flights:
View attachment 84279
Sigh. ISTR the "accepted wisdom" (I think I read that on FT last year) is that prices are cheapest 56-66 days out.
Do I keep playing "Beat The Bomb"? (currently at 115 days out).

Well, you could wait it out a little more. But in reality, it might go $20 to $50 cheaper. Then again, it might not? But, I would be surprised if it dropped anything more than a trivial amount.

I'd jump on it now as its a good price. Not a great price, but good.

Edit: also, you will most likely see more of these heart attack inducing flucuations in the coming weeks as buckets get released and/or closed. Do you have private insurance?

 

[JessicaTam]

Not sure if I've made a travel mistake yet...... I'd looked for a quasi-SR to get from LAS-xDFW-DCA then DCA-xDFW-LAX on AA in F for March next year (360SC pushes me well into WP maintain territory; even the SC re-adjustment by AA still gets me to within 20 SC of WP, so a run to LST should mean I re-qualify).

Price on Google Flights was $1133, so I waited. As expected, price dropped to $1007, hmmm... better. Then went to $1022, ah ok.

Decided I'd better book the flights but then just before I went to do that Monday, I got a Google Flights alert:

"there's been a price change on your tracked flight": $4005! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Hopefully that's just a short-term aberration, hopefully...........

I haven't mentioned this latest "adjustment" to SWMBO.

To avoid another 'mistake', you may want to check if flights booked in F at that time next year still credit F SCs or J as AA are changing the class applicable to domestic flights.

 

[GDSman]

Hey, fly ahead by a whole day! VA are so weird. All they need do is impress people with service like that and they'd be winners. Instead they've usually gone in the opposite direction. Congrats to a helpful check in staffer. BTW, was the tix a flexi or a saver (or whatever version they're now running with)?

The company buys BFOD so it will have been lowest price bracket. Perhaps being Plat helped but I was surprised and impressed with the VA gate agent...

 

[coriander]

To avoid another 'mistake', you may want to check if flights booked in F at that time next year still credit F SCs or J as AA are changing the class applicable to domestic flights.

As we're flying in March, I think we'll be getting the lower SCs (I did say above, probably down from 360SC to 240SC). GFlights have the same price for both J & F. We have to fly LAS-DCAand DCA-LAX on those particular days so I'm limited in looking for alternate destinations and hubs (plus whilst I have SWMBO on board with a longer flight via DFW, I think any more sectors may strain the goodwill).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

As we're flying in March, I think we'll be getting the lower SCs (I did say above, probably down from 360SC to 240SC).

Surely if you book and pay for "F" now, it must still be classed as "F" then, even if they have changed their lingo, or are you saying it is classed as J now as well?

 

[Hvr]

Surely if you book and pay for "F" now, it must still be classed as "F" then, even if they have changed their lingo, or are you saying it is classed as J now as well?

You're still getting exactly the same cabin. It's how it is credited to your FF program. Given the requisite notice has been provided, sadly I reckon people are simply out of luck.

I've used the AA F SCs to obtain and maintain status including LTG and will miss them. Just like I miss the very cheap Jet* Star Class fares and JASA/FASAs.

I think airlines are becoming attuned to how we fully exploit their systems and are using our expertise against us to enhance their programs to truly reflect their original premise, recognise and reward frequent flyers on their airline.

Expect further changes as data analysis becomes better and is fully utilised. The outcome is that many people will be moved further down the plane to recognise those who the airlines determine is a truly valuable customer.

 

[JessicaTam]

To avoid another 'mistake', you may want to check if flights booked in F at that time next year still credit F SCs or J as AA are changing the class applicable to domestic flights.

As we're flying in March, I think we'll be getting the lower SCs (I did say above, probably down from 360SC to 240SC). GFlights have the same price for both J & F. We have to fly LAS-DCAand DCA-LAX on those particular days so I'm limited in looking for alternate destinations and hubs (plus whilst I have SWMBO on board with a longer flight via DFW, I think any more sectors may strain the goodwill).

Surely if you book and pay for "F" now, it must still be classed as "F" then, even if they have changed their lingo, or are you saying it is classed as J now as well?

You're still getting exactly the same cabin. It's how it is credited to your FF program. Given the requisite notice has been provided, sadly I reckon people are simply out of luck.

I've used the AA F SCs to obtain and maintain status including LTG and will miss them. Just like I miss the very cheap Jet* Star Class fares and JASA/FASAs.

I think airlines are becoming attuned to how we fully exploit their systems and are using our expertise against us to enhance their programs to truly reflect their original premise, recognise and reward frequent flyers on their airline.

Expect further changes as data analysis becomes better and is fully utilised. The outcome is that many people will be moved further down the plane to recognise those who the airlines determine is a truly valuable customer.

This is being discussed in some detail here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....er-program/the-end-of-cheap-status-78527.html