[jrtaylor]

I tried to use my "free" companion pass and was told that I had to not only pay the fee and taxes for the second ticket but also a $50 fee for booking this on the phone. Of course, you cannot do this online, so you are basically paying at least $100 for your "free" ticket. It's another scam by Delta. Don't sign up for this.

[pattis]

I suppose it never ocured to you to go to an actual airport.

[pattis]

Let me explain this a little better....even a lot of non-rev (buddy pass ) fares still have to pay taxes. Understand that this is the government imposing these fees not the airline. However, possibly there are some fuel surcharges that the airline impose as well because of course, fuel costs. I am not sure of all the rules or type of companion fare that you are referring to. There are different rules. Also alot of airlines are also using the pay-for-phone service fee, which as lousy as that is, it still exists. I think you might find it works better for you if you go to an airport if there is one near where you live. You might get better service and better results. Personally, I would rather deal face to face than on the phone. Not to sound cruel, but I hate it when I get someone who speaks very broken english and have a hard time understanding them. Don't get me wrong they might be a really good agent, I just like to understand what I am turning my money over for.

If you do not live near an airport, it may be just as cost effective to pay phone fee. Depends on your circumstances. And always repeat back what you understand the rules to be back to the agent, to help avoid any misunderstandings.

[airhead]

I thought "companion" tickets are the responsibility of the other companion to book and take care of the taxes and fees. Strolling into just any airport may not produce results. I check people in and but know very little about those special types of tickets. Some of us aren't trained in reservations and are only taught how to check in and rebook during off operations. I don't work for Delta but I am sure many of the sames things occur. I would ask the person who gave you the privilege of such ticket about the rules that go with it and go from there.

[wkharris2001]

its' true airhead, Delta has a special promotions desk to deal with these kinds of things. so walking into an airport would produce little results, and the $25 dtc (not $50) applies when ticketing through any agent over the phone or in person.

[DL_ Employee_Pax_Smpthizr]

Originally Posted by jrtaylor

I tried to use my "free" companion pass and was told that I had to not only pay the fee and taxes for the second ticket but also a $50 fee for booking this on the phone. Of course, you cannot do this online, so you are basically paying at least $100 for your "free" ticket. It's another scam by Delta. Don't sign up for this.

You are refering to the buy one get one free promo from American Exress.

* Yes you must pay the tax which is generally $5 to $20.
* Yes you would have had to pay the over the phone ticketing fee of $20. At the time of the original post the fee may have been $25.

I'm not sure how you're coming to a $100 amount. I am guessing you are including the over the phone ticketing fee for the full price ticket in this amount. Therefore: 2 x $25 for booking 2 tickets on the phone, plus the tax on the free ticket. This means you only paid max $70.

* Companion tickets can now be booked online at Delta.com, avoiding the over the phone ticketing charge.

[abutterfinger25]

Originally Posted by DL_ Employee_Pax_Smpthizr

* Yes you must pay the tax which is generally $5 to $20.
* Yes you would have had to pay the over the phone ticketing fee of $20.

And these fees MUST be disclosed in the promo or else it is in violation of some of our rules.

[DL_ Employee_Pax_Smpthizr]

Originally Posted by abutterfinger25

And these fees MUST be disclosed in the promo or else it is in violation of some of our rules.

It is clearly stated. Here is exactly what it says on the Certificate:

6. Taxes — Companion Tickets do not include a $3.50 Federal Excise Tax, Passenger Facility Charge(s) of up to $4.50 for each flight segment, or the September 11th Security Fee of up to $2.50 for each flight segment. For travel to/fromHawaii/Alaska, U.S. International Air Transportation Tax of up to $15.40 round-trip is not included. Reservations for L, U, T fares are available only from a travel agent, Delta Reservations, or a Delta City ticket office or airport ticketing location. Primary and Companion Tickets cost $20 more if issued at a Delta City ticket office or airport ticketing location, or by Delta over the telephone. Taxes and fees are subject to change, are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the primary ticket is purchased and the companion ticket is issued.

[jimworcs]

If it is not free, why not do something radical like introduce the concept of honesty in advertising. Instead of advertising a "free" companion ticket for example, why not call it a "reduced price" companion ticket?

Oh yeah, that's because it doesn't mislead passengers.. and as we know, that is Delta's speciality. Why does it have to be in the small print...

Re-regulation is the only answer, apart from allowing monopolistic monoliths like Delta to go bankrupt. Hopefully, the replacement would not hire the sour old nazi's currently working in customer services in Delta.

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

Jim, your last post calls for, yet another, Delta Air "commercial." Maybe a thread over a year old can be dredged-up this time.

[Gromit801]

I'm not sure a guest pass is considered a promo. Guest passes are something given to airline employees (usually a fixed number a year), who then give them to friends or relatives (usually).

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by Gromit801

I'm not sure a guest pass is considered a promo. Guest passes are something given to airline employees (usually a fixed number a year), who then give them to friends or relatives (usually).

I believe this is a companion pass one receives with the Delta Amex card. I don't have the Delta Amex but I do carry the Alaska Airlines Visa and get an annual companion pass. With any paid fare a companion flies for $50 (next year, $99) plus applicable taxes. I think charging something for the companion is the way to go since it doesn't give anyone the false expectation that the companion will travel without paying any taxes or fees.

With the Alaska companion pass you can now book it online so no phone agent fee!

[Gromit801]

Yes, that's right. Got my passes mixed up.

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

I guess this must be the week of resurrecting old posts. I'll try to look on the positive side: 10 days old sure as heck beats-out the two-month one "DL" dredged-up. The latter party has yet to be forthcoming about his/her motives in doing that.

As to your post Gromit: I'll say basically the same things your airline friends on here would say if the tables were turned--

On your numbers: I suspect Southwest CONSISTENTLY comes-up with numbers like that, or better. The "legacy" airlines WISH they had numbers like that on a REGULAR basis. And, yes, I know--Alaska is, technically, a "legacy" airline.

I can't believe the cities Alaska serves doesn't have something to do with their numbers. I suspect it's been a long time since there has been a tarmac delay at Nome or Barrow airports. The biggest source of delay (aside from snow and wind) at those airports is probably chasing moose off the runway.

I don't know how one can, with a straight face, say Alaska's route network compares to Southwest's.

Still, Alaska is on my "A-list" of domestic airlines. Next to Southwest, their flight attendants are about as fair and rational as anyone could hope for. Alaska's (mainline) first class service is a plus when it comes to comfort. As I stated previously, first class food service is your typical something dead with gravy on it. By the way, does anyone on here remember the STEAKS on the old Northeast Airlines circa 1969?

As to the collective bargaining agent at Alaska: So far I have NOT been able to find any Teamster representation. Thus my previous post is corrected. Still, to equate the Teamsters with the era of Jimmy Hoffa, SR. borders on the absurd. Hoffa, Sr. has been dead (or in the barrell?) for something like 20 to 30 years. At one point the union was re-admitted to the AFL-CIO. Whether they're still affiliated I don't know.

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

This should have been posted, under "Alaska Airlines," at:

http://www.airlinecomplaints.org/sho...1240#post11240

I see "DL Employee" is trying to set a new record for resurrecting old posts. We're up to TEN MONTHS old now.

I begining to smell someone, from Delta's media relations dept., who is trolling pro-consumer sites, and is trying to put a Delta "spin" on anything appearing to reflect poorly on their company. If true, I don't know how this kind of activity is supposed to come under the moderator's definition of "helpful," but perhaps he/she, or more likely, a "surrogate," can explain. Maybe Delta should start paying advertising charges to the moderator?