[MAAF]

I made the mistake of volunteering to get bumped of my US Airways flight in exchange for a voucher. When I go and try to use the voucher I find out that there are so many restrictions on it that only flights I can use it on require me to 1) use the voucher and 2) pay more in cash than what the flight costs on US Airways website. A MASSIVE SCAM! I you use this airline (which I recommend you don’t) don’t be duped into getting compensated with a voucher. They are worthless.

[PHXFlyer]

Never say never. People do use those vouchers successfully and they can knock a significant amount off the cost of a future trip.

I just used one a few months ago to book travel over the Thanksgiving weekend. It was either a round-trip ticket to anywhere US Airways flies but in a specific economy fare class (capacity controlled) or $400 off. The fare I found online (usairways.com) was the same fare the telephone agent found so it was exactly what I expected.

Before calling to book with the voucher you should go through the entire process to purchase the ticket up to the point of entering your CC#. It will display the fare basis (ie. SXA3NJ2Y,WXA7NJ2) which you should give to the reservation agent if there is any discrepancy in the fare you see online and the fare quoted over the phone. Keep in mind that the voucher is dollars off the base fare so the segment taxes, 9/11 fees and passenger facilities taxes as well as departure taxes and other fees for international flights will be added on. On a trip to Mexico or Europe those taxes can easily add up to $75 - $100 per person.

[airhead]

Vouchers are useful if know how to use them. The airline counts on the customer to get frustrated with the process they have created and give up. But just like buying any airline ticket, some time is required to read. Time is money.

[MAAF]

That is the whole point. All of these restrictions and limitations are put on by the very people issuing and preventing you from using the vouchers. Why would they put someone that has 1) booked and paid for a ticket on their airline & 2) helped them out of a jam by willingly giving up their seat, through so much aggravation? It is 100% in the airlines power to say, "We thank you for being a customer and helping us out when we needed you to do so. Here is a ticket you can use anytime (up to a $ limit)." Instead they put you through hours of aggravation and or make you learn the system that even most of their employees can't explain. It is nonsense. I'll never get another voucher from US Air because I will never fly them again. Southwest has never put me through this. Vouchers I have gotten from them I was easily able to use. I didn't have to "learn their system." I found the flight I wanted online. I called to make a reservation to use the voucher, I easily got the flight. No problem. Maybe there is a correlation between airlines that don't treat their customers with contempt and airlines that don't go through bankruptcy.

[airhead]

I am not sure that correlation is accurate. AA did not go bankrupt but I went though some deceptive practices that caused me to quit that awful job while I worked there. I am not sure it it was the company or management. Probably both. Some people here doubt my tenure with the company but the really bad experiences motivated me to find this site and try to help others (employees and passengers) with information. Knowledge is power.

[jimworcs]

AA may not have gone backrupt, but they certainly benefit from considerable government subsidy not available to some other airlines.

[AirlinesMustPay]

Originally Posted by airhead

I went though some deceptive practices that caused me to quit that awful job while I worked there.

I just love to see posts like these.

One day if ever meet up with Mr Airhead, we may have some useful information to share with each other. Although this thread is about US Air, I could use some of that info about AA in claims against them.

I dont know if AA did get government subsidies, and I would have no difficulties in learning that they did. After all, I want them to have money to pay out in claims. Why would I want them to be bankrupt?