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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.
I do my best to not get too “code talk” on the blog but in this modern world of twitter where you try to say everything as short code as you can I tend to slip. So let me apologize now for doing this. BTW, in the Essential Tab (E15) there is a link that tells you what all these short codes mean. But on to today’s topic HOOUs!
When you are a Gold, Platinum or Diamond Medallion and don’t get an upgrade, or are stuck on a CRJ100/200 with no 1st class, you will more than likely get a HOOU or “Have One on Us” coupon. As you can see from the next to last step at check-in online at Delta.com (not from your phone) you have a chance to print a HOOU (or two or more) if you choose the right button i.e. not the print pass only on the right. What do they look like?
This what the current ones look like. The old ones were similar but vertical but had all the same info. So what can you do with them and some more info. First the stuff on the coupon and some basic Q&A
Q) How long do I have to use them?
A) You will have a few days to spend them. If you have a short trip you can us them outgoing or return. They are NOT tied to any specific flight.
Q) Can I print more than one?
A) No-ish. In the old days you could check-in again and again and it would make a new HOOU number. That bug has been fixed and if you check-in again, even with another browser you only get the same HOOU code number and bar code. There is still one way but it is not really repeatable and sorry I can not blog about it (ask me some time at a DO).
Q) Can I use them digitally with my phone say a PDF and just show my phone?
A) Officially no. However, the code is at the bottom of the bar code so you can ask the rep to either try to scan your phone or just manually type in the code.
Q) Can I use someone else’s HOOU?
A) Careful with this. As you can see from the wording these are nontransferable. Now say you want to spend yours and your wife’s on you, I see no problem and I doubt Delta would either. But if you don’t use it I sure would NOT post it anywhere for sale or even for free. I have given them away on the blog for years and Delta does not seem to care. Now this is just me, but as long as NO money or goods are involved I doubt you would get in trouble but you never know.
Q) What if I don’t get one, can I complain?
A) No. Well you can but it will not help because these are NOT a published benefit for GM+ members. This is just a nice way of Delta saying sorry you did not get an upgrade, ended up deep on the upgrade list and have to fly back in coach with the rest of us (well not me so much 🙂 ).
Q) What can I get with them?
A) As the HOOU says, either a drink i.e. wine, beer or spirit or a nonperishable snack like the Tasty Treats snack box that is actually very good and I get them a lot! You cannot get a sandwich or similar item. You can get a headset if you want I have found but as a medallion I bet they will just give you one if you ask.
Q) Is there a difference between the HOOU coupons and the printed ones?
A) Just one. What you can buy is the same (it does not say nonperishable item but it works for that) but the ones like you see above do tend to expire at the end of the calendar year.
Q) Can I get more of them?
A) You can via the Skybonus program. Once you reach 10,000 points you can get 10 of them sent to you at no cost (current point cost anyway as of this post).
Q) Can I use two of them and get a sandwich or such off the “Eats” menu?
A) I wish and that is a good idea but no. The FA’s have no way to “combine” them in their hand units (what do you want, the hand units run windows 8 😉 )
Q) Can I use an expired one?
A) Officially no. I believe, and I could be wrong, they can not scan an expired one so basically the FA is giving you a drink free then. That can get them in trouble so I do not try to use expired ones.
Q) Can I buy a drink for someone else say a service member flying?
A) Officially no but I just cannot see Delta saying BOO about this or an FA if you are the one spending the HOOU.
Q) Can I use two at once say buy a drink and a snack?
A) Yes.
Q) Are there any other ways to get one of these?
A) Yes. Redcoats have them. Most Skyclubs have them. If you have some sort of service issue I would not feel bad at all asking for one from them.
Q) You said I cannot get one if I use my phone to check-in. Can I check in later on-line and print one then?
A) Yes. Keep in mind you can even use not just the Fly Delta APP on your phone to check in but the browser and then if you can print to PDF inside your phone (if you have that app). You can then in a Skyclub send that file to a printer in the Skyclub and print them if you forgot to print it at home or at your hotel or try the digital HOOU method with the FA already talked about.
I think that about wraps up all the Q&A I have got over time from readers as well as a few more that I could think of. I love this program and it is a very nice perk of being an elite flyer with Delta and I would be most upset if this unofficial perk ever gets cut (and yet I would not be shocked if they did so either, sadly). Any other questions about HOOUs? Fire away – René
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I always print these but almost never use them myself. One of my favorite parts of this “perk” is to print these and then give them to someone in the gate area. Usually a parent traveling with kids so they can get a snack box or a service member.
Lots of observations about *my* experience with HOOUs, which apparently differs from other people’s:
1) I only get them about 40% of the time
2) Seems to make no difference if I’ve been upgraded. I get them when I’ve already been upgraded as often as when I haven’t.
3) Sometimes if I check in again closer to flight time there will be an HOOU coupon there which wasn’t there before (which brings the 40% I mentioned before up to 60 or 70%)
4) Now the HOOUs print even if you just pint a plain boarding pass. You no longer need to print (or save) the garbage just to get the HOOU.
I get the HOOU every trip, but I fly 2x times a week. I used to save the PDF and it has always worked for me, but it is kind of a hassle and a lot of the FA’s go and check if they can accept it. Now I print just to make it go smoother. What I don’t understand is why I can get a woodford reserve on the plane but not in the lounge… but that’s a whole different issue!
I’ve been silver for a year and now gold for 1 1/2 years and have never seen this offered to me. I fly 10 times a year NYC – SLC. I always check in online and print boarding pass at Airport kiosk. Upgrades a very rare for me on this route. 1 in 10 maybe.
What am i doing wrong to miss the HOOU?
I use a dumb phone so nothing to help there.
Thanks E
@E – they are only for Gold Medallions and higher. As a Gold you should be seeing them!
I sometimes don’t get them on Firefox browser, but then switch over to IE and get them there, just minutes later. It is hard to use them on an RJ, as I don’t usually want the free booze and they do not carry the other snacks on the shorter flights, so I give them away.
Teresa thanks for that info. I use an old firefox (3.6.28) so maybe this is my problem. I’ll try Safari next time as i don’t have IE on this 10 year old ibook that is maxed out with the updates it will accept (that are now very outdated).
On my recent BOS-MSP flight, flight attendant would NOT accept the printed one (that does not say non-perishable snack) for a snack. First time this has happened. She had quite an attitude about it.
@Kevin – complain to Delta. She was WRONG. You will get points! Pls comment back. Not OK!