Welcome to a weekly feature on the Renés Points blog. Each week this series covers in a “rookie” way either a Delta or travel related theme and attempts to break down to a basic level each topic. You can read up on all the previous posts HERE. Now on to this week’s feature.
One of the hardest things about being a travel enthusiast and having done this for a while is you just “think” everyone knows everything you know. You “think” everyone has taken the time to read the almost 1,500 posts I have put up over the past years. That is just dumb on my part, but if you are new to DeltaPoints please look over all the old rookie posts at least and look at all the posts in the Essentials tab.
So on to this week’s rookie topic: Calling! If you are not new to the blog, you may want to stop reading now as much of the rest of this will elevate your blood pressure and maybe make you a little crazy.
One of the worst ever things you can do when it comes to anything travel related is CALL THE COMPANY! For example, say there is a mistake fare. Sure enough I will soon get an email that says:
“I called the airline and asked if this price is really right. They got mad at me and said it was a mistake and would not let me book it. Your post must be wrong about this?”
GRRRR – Really? (I told you your blood pressure would go up). When it comes to mistake fares they tend to be fixed rather fast. Now if you call the airline, what impact do you think this will have on the deal? Hello! Next one. Say there is a way to earn points that requires say several steps. We are say earning points for something in a way the company never intended us really to do. Then the email says:
“I called the credit card company and tried to explain that I can buy this and then sell that and get my points free and the company told me I cannot do that. Are you sure about getting points this way, it does not seem to work?”
ARRGGGHH! Just so I get this straight, you called the credit card company. Talked to a rep in India and attempted on a recorded line to tell them how you are trying to MFG. points and they did not want to tell you how to do this step by step? (I warned you to stop reading this post)! You see, dear rookie, we often find ways to take several steps to earn points and with all these steps offset the costs involved in buying different things. The T&C (terms and conditions) may say this or that is excluded but in reality they are not. Many times it is not worth messing with fixing this as long as we don’t YELL to them that we are doing this.
Time for another one and the email often goes just like this:
“I called the company about this discount code you blogged about and said can I really use this code on top of that code and still get this advertised deal? They said NO that I can ONLY use one or the other. You may need update your blog!”
I WANT TO CRY NOW! (and I bet you do too as you are still reading this). Please, rookie, if you are getting one thing out of this post by now, it is DO NOT CALL the company. EVER! Email me or another blogger or get brave and jump on FlyerTalk (they will be mean to you) and ask there. Ask anyone other than the company. They are NOT going to help you do what we suggest. When it comes to codes, we test these things. Many times we book these deals for ourselves. We click this then that then add this or that and the results are HUGE discounts. We often even start at shopping portals like TopCashBack to get even more and then pay with the credit card that offers the best bonus on top of all that! Just follow our lead or ask questions to US – just don’t call!
Last one because most of you now have a spitting headache and I am very sorry for this one. Rookies, you keep paying attention as this is for YOU! I posted say at 9:AM and then I get an email at 6:PM that says:
“I missed out on the deal because I did not get around to clicking on it until I got home and put the dog out and fed the kids. So just called the company to complain that I did not get this deal and they said it was a mistake and they were canceling all the orders. I am never buying from them again”!
CALM – JUST CALM DOWN! Are there other words than REALLY? Let me get this straight dear rookie, you missed out, and it was YOUR fault you missed out because you waited, and you are now trying to kill the deal for those that got in on the deal and you are mad at the company for not letting you in on it? Sorry, and I say this with all sadness, you need to NOT be a part of the points enthusiast community. We share. We help. We don’t do what you just did. EVER!
Have I missed anything? Did I get my point across this week? Any questions – if so I am sure the company will be happy to help if you just call them (just wanted to make sure you were paying attention 😉 ) – René
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Well said, Rene.
I especially like the line about FT – they will be mean to you. Yes they will – often deservedly. Perhaps one additional idea – if you are one of those people who insist on calling the company, could you please provide your IP address so the bloggers can block your access.
Related but a bit different.
On Christmas day, had a lead flight attendant on an international flight pull everyone (all 3 of us) out of the premium economy seats into the back of business class. We didn’t get the business class meal or amenity pack, but did get a much more comfortable ride for 10+ hours.
Her one request was “Please don’t write in and thank the company.” All of the FAs on the flight had agreed that no one was going to talk.
The way you began your post reminded me of a story I read years ago about when Ted Williams, the great hitter of baseballs, tried to teach someone how to hit. He couldn’t understand why the person couldn’t hit like he did. When you know how to do something so well, its almost harder to go backwards and explain to someone who doesn’t understand at all. But, that’s why we read you first of all, Rene – you give the information so well and don’t mind when someone like me doesn’t understand and asks the dumb question. Your answers don’t insult. Your hard work is appreciated! Thanks and keep it up the good work.
@Christine – we all are new at some point. We just need help not to make mistakes is all. 😉 txs again for ALL your comments and support of the blog!