Hidden dangers in "free" airtickets

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Kobrin, Steve" <kobrins () wharton upenn edu>
Date: January 5, 2006 9:01:05 AM EST
To: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Subject: Hidden dangers in "free" airtickets

The development of interlinked airline groups such as Star Alliance  
provides an opportunity to use “free” miles-based tickets to get to  
places that your primary carrier does not serve, which is a real  
benefit.  However, using these networks also entails none too obvious  
risks.  We went to Prague from Philly over the winter break using  
business class tickets obtained for miles from USAIR.  The flight  
return flight from Prague to Frankfort and then Frankfort to Philly  
was on Lufthansa.  When we called Lufthansa to reconfirm our return  
trip, we were told that the flight had been “cancelled” and that we  
were rebooked for the next day.  (Lufthansa had never tried to get in  
touch with us even though USAIR has my cell phone number.)  I told  
the agent that we needed to get back as scheduled and would be happy  
to fly to Frankfurt the night before, or if necessary, go via train.   
She replied that going the night before was not an option as they  
“could not” reissue a USAIR ticket and, in any event, the Frankfurt –  
Philly flight was now fully booked.  (USAIR does not operate out of  
Prague.)  I called USAIR in Germany and while they could not do  
anything about the Prague – Frankfurt leg without local operations,  
they saved the day booking us on their flight from Frankfurt on the  
31st .    We both love European trains so the ride from Prague  
through Dresden to Frankfurt was not a hardship – although it took  
the better part of a day.



Now for the kicker.  When I checked the Lufthansa Prague- Frankfurt  
flight (on the 31st) on their website it turns out that it was not  
cancelled -- just an hour late.  The fact the intercontinental flight  
was suddenly full in business class makes me wonder if Lufthansa  
simply bumped us (we were on USAIR miles after all) for two paying  
customers.



They might argue that we had free business class tickets and the risk  
of a delay is the price you pay.  However, the moral of the story is  
that there is a real risk in using mileage-based tickets in an  
alliance network.  The risk is getting stuck someplace where you  
primary carrier does not operate and you are left dependent on an  
alliance partner – to whom you are not a frequent flyer – for  
resolution of a problem.  We were lucky that we had some flexibility  
and could get to Frankfurt ourselves.



To be clear, I think that Lufthansa’s behavior was outrageous.  That,  
however, is another matter.



Steve



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