AA’s gloves are off, BAAd service, proper place pronunciation and more

In today’s Frequent Miler week in review around the web, we have a post covering AA’s blunt response to a DOT complaint over the credit-card-shenanigans shutdowns, good tips for recon and customer service calls, places to dream about using your Hilton free night certificates, and more. Read on for the weekend recap.

American Airlines’ Shocking Response To A DOT Complaint

This news came out last weekend and a number of blogs covered it, but I enjoyed reading this post from One Mile at a Time the most. If you have some free time, reading the entire 53-page AA response to the DOT complaint of someone whose account was shut down for credit card activity is an eye-opening look at how American Airlines is clearly taking a strong stand. I was surprised at the tone of the response; it almost sounds like the person writing on behalf of AA took this complaint personally — the gloves are most certainly off. This is at least a glimpse into how well prepared American is to push back on those who try to fight the closures.

Popular Place Names You’ve Probably Been Pronouncing Wrong

I’m including this article from Fommer’s because I found it a lot of fun to read. I actually knew most of the proper pronunciations in this one, though there are some famous places that I always have to look up (for some reason that I can’t explain, I can never remember whether Giza sounds like GEE-zuh (rhyming with the leaning tower of Pisa) or GAI-zuh (like a Bostonian pronouncing geyser). Since my wife studied abroad in Australia, my Australian city names are pretty spot on, but I still feel cheesy trying to say Cairns correctly. Anyway, fun read here.

My Chase Sapphire Reserve Reconsideration Approval

Chuck from Doctor of Credit details how his quest for a Chase Sapphire Reserve went. I found this interesting reading at least mostly because I don’t feel like we often hear much about the personal credit card portfolios for the guys at DoC — but it could certainly also be helpful for anyone out there with a Chase application on the radar. There’s no doubt that everyone seems to be tightening up, so you’ll want to be prepared for a follow up phone call.

CRAAPPY EXPERIENCE: CANCELLING AA FLIGHTS BOOKED ON AMEX TRAVEL

Raise your hand if you’re up for a bad customer service story! Ok, so I know several people have almost skipped to the next post after that sentence, but I don’t recommend missing this one — because Bethany at Bougie Miles reinforces that sometimes you’re going to know more than the agent with whom you’re speaking, so don’t get in the habit of taking the first answer as the final word. In this case, I might have just hung up and called again, but now someone out there owes Bethany a debt of thanks when they speak to the agent she had who will now know how it works for next time. The bottom line is that it’s always helpful to know the correct answer before you get on the phone so that you’re not tempted to give up when you’re given the wrong answer.

Points for Your Post Pandemic Self-Indulgence Part 1: Top Laidback Hilton Luxury Resorts!

I read this post from Lazy Traveler’s Handbook with interest because I just like Hilton. I’ve stayed with Marriott a lot more over the past year and a half because of its somewhat better elite program, but if not for elite status benefits that matter to me, I would likely pick Hilton over Marriott 10 times out of 10. While I was already familiar with most of the resorts in this post, I took particular interest in Andy’s comments on the Conrad Koh Samui. I haven’t yet been to Koh Samui, though I love Thailand and would be happy to use up some free night certificates at this property eventually. Here’s hoping to a totally different travel landscape in 2020.

That’s it for this week around the web. Check back soon for this week’s last chance deals.

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