Originally Posted by
WHBM
Haha. Let me tell you how this works at US airlines. They offer the "compensation" in miles on their frequent flyer scheme. Not a member ? You have to open membership up to get the compensation. And then my god, try and spend them. Miles can seemingly never be redeemed on any route that is useful. Let me go to New York. "No seats available". But you can make normal reservations on every flight. "Available mileage redemption on those flights was set at zero".
Continental refunded the ticket money and offered a voucher for a future flight, so they did give the passengers something.
Have to agree that the FF programs are more trouble than they are worth. Instead of a credit card that give you airline miles, I got the best card that gives cash back and then just buy my tickets. It works out a lot better than the FF deal, especially for a guy like me who doesn't fly much.