In my opinion they do help. In my company, if we receive a complimentary letter, we receive a letter of commendation from the company which goes on our permanent record. We also have a Flight Attendant of the Year award, in which points are awarded for various things - the highest points being for letters of commendation. The letters of commendation I have from the company are my most prized possessions in my resume as they show a lot more than a reference from an employer. They show that you have obviously impressed a customer to the point where they have felt compelled to write. And these days such letters from customers are becoming more and more rare. So write write write away Eboy! It shows us that we're appreciated & not just slaves!