Lynn Hakam, L&M Travel, Fountain Valley,
Calif.
I tell my clients that I think it is terrible the way US Airways
and the other Big Four carriers are treating their clients by not
allowing the fares to be re-applied to other tickets. I also feel
it is terrible that we, the American public, are using our
hard-earned tax dollars in the form of government loans when it is
obvious that their methods of doing business are inadequate.
I find it amazing that a regional carrier like Southwest
Airlines is one of the few that is quite profitable at this time,
and they treat their clients and the folks who sell their tickets
with respect. They do this by breaking all of the traditional
rules. Tickets on WN are either fully refundable or nonrefundable,
but 100% of the client’s dollar can be used toward the purchase of
another ticket if he or she is unable to fly the original
schedule.
Sure, one-way fares and walk-up fares are higher, but the idea
of “use your ticket or lose your ticket” and paying $100 to stand
by on the same day your original flight was to depart is absurd.
These large airlines should be learning from the smaller carriers
how to covet and treat their passengers with kindness to keep them
loyal.
Karen Quinn, Quinn Travel, Katy, Texas
US Airways is not a major carrier from Houston, so, for now, we
will sell other airlines without the restriction. However, we
always disclose the rules regarding restrictions on any ticket. So,
if we sell a US Airways ticket, we certainly will inform the client
verbally and in writing of their “use it or lose it” policy. This
policy has also been explained in the Houston Chronicle and local
news media.
Judy Wolfe, Sea Gate Travel Centre, Huntington Beach,
Calif.
Frankly, I don’t think US Airways will be around long enough to
even worry about it. We have other airlines to sell for the same
destinations. When the day comes that we run out of choices, we can
all celebrate.