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A friend of mine recently took a trip on Northwest, and she is now a firm believer that “courtesy counts”. Here’s her story: “While making my reservations, I got to the seat selection phase, and, as usual, there were plenty of seats you could pay extra for, but no other seats were available (at that time). This confused me, since in the past, there were always at least a couple of “free seats” to choose from, and I was getting a little worried — would I have to pay for a seat?” Keep reading — here comes the payoff… |
“So I finished up the reservation, leaving the seat selection blank, and then I emailed Northwest. I asked (politely) if there would be any “free” seats available during the “check-in and get your boarding pass” process, you know, that you do 24-hours before departure. I immediately got back an email saying, yes there would be, and they were very nice and gave me a detailed explanation. I was so impressed by their very prompt and courteous response (kind of rare these days), that I in turn immediately emailed back to thank them profusely for the information and their speed in getting it to me and their kindness to a clueless traveler.”
“Now, I fully intended to be first in line to select my “free” seat, but, I actually forget to go online 24-hours before departure; it was something like 12 hours before departure before I finally got around to it (stupid me). At this point, I figured the only thing available to me would be a middle seat in the very back of the plane.”
“But that’s not what happened; when I went online, a seat assignment popped up, with my name on it. It was a GREAT seat, an aisle seat way up in the front (just behind first class). And this seat, indeed the entire row, had all the room in the world! I’m 5′6″ and even when I stretched out my legs as far as they would go, I still could not touch the bag I’d stowed under the seat in front of me. I firmly believe I got this great seat because — well, because I recognized their courtesy, and acknowledged it.”
Well, maybe. Could have been a coincidence. But, certainly, courtesy will never do any harm — and often it can do some good.
I had a similar experience with NW - made my reservation via NW website,got a very low promotional fare to Europe and selected my seats- Aisle - not one indicated as a pay seat in the front of economy where all the rest of the seats were designated as pay extra seats. The day before my flight I discovered that I had NO seat selected! I called NW - was forwarded to their international phone line - explained to the person who answered what happened, he booked me into the seat I wanted - at no extra charge - both going and coming back. I was polite and thanked him for his assistance. Yup - still some nice folks left working behind the scenes.
Comment by nwpassenger — May 5, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
Recently, I found myself at IAD waiting for Delta internationalflight to London that wasn’t confirmed. It was chaos. Although I had some hours before the flight, Several times, I let some others go in front of me in the long line as it seems they thought they would get to London before I did. When I finally got up to the ticket aqent, she told me she had been watching my calm demeanor and kind help to the other passengers, and she bumped me up to FIRST CLASS for my patience and understanding. I think there’s a lesson here. Be kind, don’t blow up in the agent’s face, and it will get you more than you think.
It never hurts to ask, even if you have an economy class ticket OF ANY KIND to ask “if First Class isn’t full, could you consier “bumping me up”? If you’re kind and smile, you just might get rewarded.
Comment by john — May 8, 2008 @ 2:49 am
I did the same thing. I emailed and politely asked if I could request a seat with alot of leg room. I explained I am 6′7″. They promptly returned my email and explained how the seat assignments worked as far as elite staus and such. I then checked the next day and found out I was assigned seat just behind first class with a ton of leg room. THANKS NORTHWEST!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Russell Hestand — May 8, 2008 @ 7:40 am
A couple of years back, I flew from NH to New Orleans during the tail end of a snowstorm. Because of the weather, airlines canceled and rerouted a bunch of flights. I got in my line behind a group of unhappy passengers, who were ready to rip the airline rep a new one. After listening to a series of beligerent rants blaming the airline for the snowstorm, blaming the rep for the snow, etc., I knew that approach wouldn’t work (not my style anyway).
I got up to the counter, smiled, and mentioned how challenging his job must be, especially on days like this. I also told him that if he had to route me through Aruba for a couple of days, I completely understood.
The rep said he appreciated my patience and the nice conversation we had. He said he put me in the front of the plane, so I could get on and off quicker. I thanked him, and went on my way. I didn’t connect front of the plane with First Class.
It was a nice flight; a free upgrade just for a few kind words. It doesn’t cost anything to be nice, and occasionally, something nice happens in return.
Comment by Joe — May 8, 2008 @ 9:19 am
Most likely, You got that seat assigned by the computer. They get their premium customers upgraded to 1st class, so their seats in coach become available, that’s why the “great” seats open up at the very last minute…
Comment by Alex — May 9, 2008 @ 1:01 am
I had a similar incident - also w/ NWA. My flight made a stop over on the way back home from a business flight. Being that the arrival was after dinner time, I inquired at the arrival gate as to a good place to grab a bite. A nice lady greeted me and made a few suggestions, and commented that I should have plenty of time to eat and return before flight departure, as the location was in another terminal. When I returned, the nice lady let me know that the gate doors had been locked (it was 9 minutes before departure), and I would not make this flight. After the flight departed, a Threesome was in front of me at the counter, complaining that they were there in time for the flight, and they closed the doors on them, etc. All the attendent could do for them was tell them to join the standby line at the next gate.
I was patient and let the attendent know that her recommendation for dinner was great. Relieved to have a “nice” customer, she said she would guarantee me a seat on the next flight. When I noticed the row was
Comment by Roy B — May 9, 2008 @ 10:27 am
Continuing post 5. Must have gotten cut off.
When I noticed the row was
Comment by Roy B — May 9, 2008 @ 11:36 am