Northwest Airlines Consumer Reviews - Page 5

TOKYO -- I was one of the very unfortunate passengers to be in Tokyo during the "Meltdown of Northwest Airlines - Narita"! I was to be on a scheduled flight to Singapore, that evening. My girlfriend (thankfully on another airline) left with no hitches, at 5:30, while I was left to stand in quite possibly the longest line in aviation history, and if not, surely in my 35+ years of traveling.

Because no NWA employees were walking the lines explaining the situation, I was only privy to the fact that flights had been cancelled the previous day, by speaking with others in line. Here was the first problem: No information! After the line wound around and around for hours, angry passengers started jumping - yes jumping, into the security area, screaming at each other and staff, and generally getting fed up. I was only bound for an Asian destination, so surely there would be no problem for me right? Wrong.

At one point, the passengers going to Singapore, Pusan, Manila, and a China destination were asked to come forward. A mad rush ensued, and a choked security area got even worse! Again, why not 4 lines, one for each destination, and an orderly check in process... This was not to be... 4 hours later, after all flights were delayed, I was finally at the check in, only after begging a solitary NWA employee to tell me where we were supposed to stand for the Singapore flight.

As I gave my information to the girl at check in, and she asked me which seat I wanted, and I thought all was well, a grave look came across her face, as she informed me that my flight was just then taking off! Without passengers! I was told that because of the early morning flight from Sing, the crew had to get there!!! Forget about us passengers! So, as this was the last flight out of Narita to Singapore that evening, we'd have to find ourselves our own accommodation, and meals (after 8 hours, no bathroom or food).

Worse, they could not get me confirmed on another flight until Thursday..5 days later!! I was floored. Never in my life, and I travel 60% of the time, have I seen such a poorly handled crisis in my life! And in Japan, no less! As I left to find a hotel for the night (by this time it is 11PM) the next of several fights broke out, sending the now posted police officers fling into action yet again.

Needless to say, I took another airline home, and will not be taking Northwest anytime in the future. If you travel as much as I do, this kind of treatment is not what I expect from an International airline, and it was an embarrassing scene to witness as well, as the ugliest sides of humans came boiling to the surface. Shame on NWA... I hope you learn from this huge debacle.

I had over 20,000 miles on Northwest Airlines and they used to let you use 20,000 miles to fly on off-peak times. Then they changed the program to "benefit the consumer" and "make the program better" so now you have to use 25,000 at all times.

I had to buy 1,000 miles to get up to 25,000 but I thought it would be worth it. A friend of mine was getting married and I had over six months notice to find a flight. However using my Northwest frequent flier miles with over six months notice was impossible LAX-Boston for this one July weekend. I had planned a Friday-Tuesday trip but I gave up and started checking for anything during the week before and week after - nothing worked. Finally I called my Northwest "customer care representative" and he said that everything was booked! He said to keep on checking and they would probably release more seats as the date got closer.

I kept on checking and checking and there was absolutely nothing. Finally I gave up almost 3 weeks before and bought a ticket from another airline. I called Northwest and told them I couldn't believe I couldn't find anything considering how long beforehand I started looking. The snotty "customer care rep" laughed at me and said I should have tried a year before! Considering I was going to go to a wedding and they didn't even have a date for the wedding picked out a year beforehand that would have been tough. Guess I needed ESP!

I just don't see why unless I am planning a trip to Europe or to Hawaii why I would need a year notice to go to Boston! I kept on checking and Northwest never released any more frequent flier seats for that weekend so it wouldn't have paid to wait. I sent Northwest a nasty letter about the whole situation and they could have cared less. I did get a letter back but they didn't offer me anything or care in any way.

I am finally using my stupid Northwest frequent flier miles this April to go to Chicago. I have to take a redeye with a stop and then on the way back I leave at 7am and I have a stop! There is just no point in even collecting Northwest Frequent Flier miles because they are completely useless.

FYI I used my American Airlines miles to go to London last summer and I booked it 4 months in advance and it was in peak season. I got a nonstop flight in both directions. Yet with Northwest I couldn't get a flight to Boston with over six months notice.

Over the past few years, my wife and I have been loyal and well-satisfied Northwest Airlines customers. In fact, we have racked up over 88,000 WorldPerks miles and have never before had any complaints. Unfortunately, the way we have been treated during an unfortunate incident over the past week is forcing us to reconsider our relationship with Northwest.

The trouble began on Sunday, November 14, 2004. My wife called the Northwest reservations center (1-800-447-3757) at 9:36 A.M. to place a hold on a round trip flight between Oregon and Denver. She received confirmation number for the reservation. As it turned out, we decided to cancel the trip, and so at 10:20 A.M., my wife called back (1-800-225-2525) to cancel the reservation. The agent she spoke to said that it would be no problem to cancel the reservation and that the same confirmation number applied for the cancellation.

We thought everything was taken care of, and so we were shocked to receive a trip itinerary and bill ($545.80) by email on Tuesday morning, November 16. Of course, my wife instantly phoned the reservations center to protest. She spoke with an agent "Joy" who not only refused to believe her, but also refused to allow her to speak with a supervisor. Joy told my wife that her only option was to credit the amount to our "account" with Northwest. She did not tell my wife that any cancellation fee would apply.

After we discussed the matter during the day, we decided to try talking to Northwest again. I called the reservations center on Tuesday evening and spoke with agent Jessica, who transferred me to her supervisor. Although I remained calm, the supervisor's attitude toward me was infuriating. She was extremely unsympathetic to our problem and the sarcasm dripped from her voice as she questioned my story. She also informed me that not only would we not receive a refund, but a $100 cancellation fee would apply to our "account."

Although our phone records show that we placed the second call, certainly we cannot prove the substance of what my wife discussed with the agent. For how were we to know we needed to record our own calls? We have filed a formal complaint with Northwest but it looks like we will be forced to spend $445.80 - the fare minus the hundred dollar cancellation fee - on other Northwest tickets.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA -- In the fall of 2004, NWA offered high revenue frequent fliers an incentive to purchase full priced round trip tickets. The offer, entitled, 1-2-3-Free, promised to award a free domestic round trip ticket to all who purchased four full price tickets during the promotion period. Rules were provided, with a tagline that should have tipped us all off to the pending FRAUD about to be committed by our monster monopoly local airline; the term said "other restrictions may apply".

Once the award tickets were earned, those who earned them learned that the tickets are NOT TRANSFERABLE so parents may not use the tickets to take children on flights with them despite the historical transferability of other frequent flyer awards. This rule was not in effect when Northwest enticed their important frequent flyer base to purchase full priced tickets to earn the awards - a clear case of BAIT AND SWITCH!

In addition - the percentage of flight segments with available seats makes the use of these free tickets nearly impossible. Northwest clearly had no intention of redeeming the free travel vouchers and will not respond to consumer complaints about this fraudulent program designed to entice customers into paying higher prices with the promise of award travel. Is anyone out there an attorney? This may be a very easy to prove and win class action suit. NWA clearly mislead the high revenue business travelers it counts on to pay its bills. Comments welcome!

JAMESTOWN ND, NORTH DAKOTA -- Women beware and men too! Northwest Tire in Jamestown ND will put unnecessary parts on your auto, overcharge you and don't fix the problem. Instead, when you take the auto back, they will tell you that you had 2 problems at same time and will try to get another $700.00 out of you. This is what happened to me.

I didn't have any problems with my car until I had my oil changed at their shop. I took my car in for a small oil leak and almost $700.00 later they never even got close to fixing the problem. Instead, they told me it was another problem and wanted another $700.00. I knew this was BS, so I took my car to another auto shop. They tightened a bolt and said when they changed the oil they didn't tighten the bolt and cleaned oil off and I have had on leaks since!!!!! Guess who changed oil on the car, Northwest Tire !!!!

This isn't quite recent but bear with me. A few years back I went cross-country on Northwest and this was the first time I've ever flew. Halfway across the flight, I asked for some coffee. The flight attendant glared at me and look at me like I was Garbage (I never did get any coffee)! Then I was struggling with my luggage, told me to get my act together! Is this the professional service they are supposed to show their customers!? I tried calling their so-called customer service, was put on hold for over an hour then hung up on!! The only way to get even is to tell people NEVER FLY NORTHWEST!!! I HOPE THEY GO OUT OF BUSINESS!!!

77 W WACKER DR, CHICAGO, IL 60601, MINNESOTA -- I have not flown Northwest Airlines for some time and I had the unfortunate experience flying back from Virginia Beach, VA to Chicago, IL. On this flight was a very quiet, well behaved little terrier dog and two (I think) very noisy cats that meowed all during the two hour and twenty-six minute flight. My daughter (an adult) asked for ear plugs and the airline steward said he had none. I asked him if, when traveling with pets, the animals were to be given a sedative to help them adjust to the flight and he said he didn't know (or did not care). These cats were two rows behind us and this was definitely the flight from HELL. Those cats were very disruptive to the flight.

After we arrived in Chicago, other passengers were complaining about the cats also. One man sitting next to me said he had traveled with his dog in the past and YES, they are to be given a sedative to relax and quiet down the animals. How can an airline allow one passenger to bring these cats on the flight and disrupt the whole flight for the other passengers? I will certainly try to not to travel this airline in the future. Very inconsiderate to the needs of others.

I am entering this review since it was my property stolen, though another person on the flight. I had loaned my roommate my camera for her trip to Louisiana to see her family for Christmas. She had packed everything in one backpack so she could carry it on and it would be safe, apparently not. At the gate, they took the backpack from her, telling her the plane was too small, she had to check the bag. Lo and behold, on arrival to Baton Rouge, the bag is missing.

Two days later, when the bag is found and returned to her, everything is in it, except for my Kodak C1013. The camera was a gift from Christmas the year before, and I am unable to get a receipt for it. Without proof of ownership, I doubt I will get any reimbursement for the theft, though we are attempting filing anyway. Heads up, Northwest = thieves.

I work for the Federal Government and travel frequently on various airlines. I was traveling from Tampa to Nashville today and when I checked in, I was informed that my bag would have to be checked and could not be carried on the plane. This is the exact same bag that I use when traveling for the Government and I have NEVER had to check this bag.

I made the reservation on Orbitz and I feel that this is a direct result of me not using NWA as the agent. I was billed $15.00 and when I got to the gate, there were bags that were larger than mine and they were allowed to take them down the ramp. Some went on the plane while others were checked at the door of the aircraft. Piss poor customer service and rules when I know better. You are not consistent at all. I do have choices when I fly and will in the future will strive to take alternate carriers when possible.

E-mail thread about a forced baggage check on a one-way ticket bought on Orbitz. They gave me my $15 bag fee back in an electronic credit when I fly again. RIGHT, I am going to fly with you again soon. I am sadistic and love being treated like dirt. NWA is really bringing down Delta's customer service standards very quickly. Delta should have let them go belly up.

On our flight to Honolulu, our connecting flight was late. NWA knew we were a little late but closed the gate door on us 10 minutes before the flight time. We arrived 9 minutes before and could see them close the door. They refused to let us on. They told us to take it up with Alaska because their flight was late and it was their problem. On the return flight, they did not book us in seats together despite having empty rows that they were trying to sell just before the flight. After sending in a complaint letter, they offered a pathetic $50 voucher.