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Aloha Airlines Complaint - Don't use Aloha Airlines - Travel Complaint
Travel Complaint - Complaint
HONOLULU, HAWAII -- My worst travel experience occurred over the last 2 years. My husband and I were on a flight from Oakland, CA to Lihue, HI with ALOHA AIRLINES on Mothers Day 2005. Due to operational difficulties, what should have been a 5 hour flight turned into 16 hours. Aloha Airlines did not communicate the problems to the passengers, nor did they make any apologies for the inconvenience they caused. The following day my husband called Aloha Air and gave them a piece of his mind, which produced many apologies, an upgrade to 1st class on the return flight home and two 50% flight vouchers that we could use on our next trip to Hawaii. It all sounds like a happy ending-doesn't it? Well a year later, we booked a flight with the same itinerary, I mentioned the two 50% off vouchers that we had and was quoted a price which reflected the discount (2 for 1 price) and was given exact instructions to relinquish the vouchers to the ticket agent on the first leg of the trip. I did everything I was supposed to do. When we returned home and received our VISA statement, there were 2 charges for the tickets and no credit for the vouchers. I contacted the Customer Care Dept. of ALOHA AIR and CHASE VISA and after several conversations, letters, temporary credits and re-bills to my VISA account, I ended up paying full price for both tickets. ALOHA AIRLINES did not honor the vouchers they gave us for our inconvenience. I am a Travel Agent in a large travel agency and have passed the word about my experience to the other travel agents not to use ALOHA AIR under any circumstances. I also sent a certified letter to the President/CEO of ALOHA AIRLINES-David Banmiller and never received a response from his office either. So much for their bogus philosophy about "Customer Satisfaction First". Look for ALOHA AIR on the growing list of failing airlines later this year.
Comments:
Posted by LennyGuy on 2007-05-17:
Another reason to not use a travel agent. One bad experience and you tell your customers (and coworkers) what a horrible airline it is. Now customers won't fly it even though it may be cheaper or more convenient because of your experience. I'll stick with making my own online reservations.
Posted by Lidman on 2007-05-17:
I am with you LennyGuy!
Posted by superbowl on 2007-05-17:
We use Aloha when going to the Islands. They are far better than the Hawaiian Air cattle cars! Aloha does a decent job and we will stick with them.
Posted by Hairess on 2007-05-18:
Hey LennyGuy: I booked this myself as an individual, not as a Travel Agent. I just want Aloha Air to honor their vouchers and give me my $495 back. I could have found a lower internet fare had I known I would end up paying full price, but I chose to use Aloha and use the vouchers. I should have known better after the first bad experience when it took 16 hours instead of 5 to get there. Oh well! Live and learn! Happy Traveling.
Posted by FoggyOne on 2007-05-18:
It is immeaterial how you booked it but I agree the ball was dropped by them. My complaint is that you said "I am a Travel Agent...not to use ALOHA AIR under any circumstances". Customers come to you for advice and you tell them this when it may be the best airline for their situation. You might tell them about your bad experience and they'll tell you about theirs with United or Delta or Air France... But to provide such strong statements like "never use" I think is too severe and a disservice to the customers. Look at any site (including this one) and you'll see lots of legitimate complaints (like yours) against airlines - if I were to follow the advice to 'never use' each of these airelines I'd never be able to fly anywhere. Many people complain about USAir but I've had nothing but good luck (seems luck rather than anything with the airlines anymore) with them.
Posted by familytravel on 2007-05-19:
The vouchers do sound very frustrating! I always book my own airline reservations, and even if it costs more, I always do it directly with the airline. I can't tell you how many times places like Expedia or Orbitz has messed everything up. I'm not saying things will be a lot easier directly on the airlines website--but it might save a few headaches.
Posted by Hairess on 2007-05-22:
Thanks for the input! I will keep all of your comments in mind as I advise my customers and shop for travel in the future. It seems that it has become a real challenge for all of us to travel.
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