I seem to be a magnet for “teaching moments” when it comes to customer service lately. This time, a terrific server at a tiny little wine bar trumped a multi-million dollar airline when it came to doing things right.
As someone who practically lives on airplanes, I spend an inordinate amount of time in Delta Skyclubs—they’ve become my regional offices, once the laptop and cell phone are fired up. One of the perks to being a member is that you can “guest” someone in with you, which until now, I hadn’t had the opportunity to do.
And still haven’t, thanks to the staff at the Skyclub in Terminal E, Atlanta Hartsfield (the one nearest the central concourse area, not the second one further back).
The scenario: [click here to continue…]
I’ll be the first to admit frustration with Delta since they took over the Northwest Airlines WorldPerks program, post-merger. Loss of available flights, loss of direct flights, and loss of upgrades have all taken a real toll on my attitude where the “new” airline is concerned.
Imagine my surprise when receiving a letter from the airline apologizing for a weather delay…then giving me SkyMiles points for it. [click here to continue…]
Those of you registered for the National Stationery Show have been receiving periodic emails advertising lower hotel rates. After receiving yet another, a friend emailed to say “I gather the advance bookings are down.” An obvious assumption…
…but not an accurate one. [click here to continue…]
Got an email from PayPal offering $50 rebates on Northwest Airline tickets purchased with a PayPal account. Not sure if they’re doing the same with other airlines, but might be worth checking out.
According to the email:
Use PayPal to pay when you book your holiday travel with Northwest Airlines and get $50 cash back on each eligible ticket purchase over $250. Plus, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $10,000 shopping spree.
You can get cash back on up to five eligible tickets, so the more you fly, the more you save.
Hurry, offer ends October 13, 2008
The best part? Read on:
Limit: $50 rebate is valid on the first five eligible tickets purchased on nwa.com using PayPal as the payment method.
That’s right. Up to five tickets. Travel must occur between November 15, 2008 and January 31, 2009. That means Thanksgiving…Christmas…New Year’s Eve…and most of the winter gift shows.
Bingo.
You have to be a WorldPerks member; if you aren’t just enroll first, book second. As one would expect, there are a few fine print rules, but none seem unreasonable.
To see the full list, drop me an email and I’ll forward them.
If you’re in the Homewood neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama, pop into Weddings Etc. on 18th Street. Owner Melissa Hill has created a smart, chic, retail boutique built on great product and even greater customer service. She knows her stuff, and is happy to share the wisdom. In my humble opinion, this is a retailer to watch, folks; she’s got big things ahead of her.
After you enjoy the store, take a stroll down to Zoe’s Kitchen for a glass of (addictive) limeaid made from fresh lime juice and cane sugar, with an order of chicken salad. You’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven…
…until you bite into the requisite chocolate cake, at which you’ll realize heaven is located in Homewood.
You’ll thank me for this. Your bathroom scale, however…well…that’s your problem.
Photo: Melissa and her trusty manager, Meghan Ratliff
Just got an email from Sara at the Chicago Mart-—if you’re thinking about attending either the Power Lunch session or the Trolley Tour, better sign up soon. The head count’s getting up there fast on my noon session, and we’re already up to four trolley cars for the tour.
Both promise to be big fun. If you’re on my trolley car, be sure to say hi-—looks like I’m playing Hostess with the Mostest on one of them.
Of course, I have to behave, since my mom will be along too.
Wink, wink.
Gotta tell you, I’m really looking forward to the upcoming Chicago gift show. This time, I’m speaking at two sessions-—first, the Power Lunch on Sunday, then later that afternoon as one of three presenters at the GHTA Forum and Trolley Tour.
The two sessions couldn’t be more different. The Power Lunch is titled “Speed Networking for Retailers,” as I wear my RetailSpeaks hat, focusing on fast paced, out of the box thinking with a roomful of peers. Don’t get nervous-—it ought to be fun, and will send you home with the creative juices flowing.
The forum is a bit more on the serious side, titled “Strategies for Challenging Times.” Tom Ungrodt, Carol Schroeder, and I will frame an attack plan for squeezing more cash out of your stores in this upside down economy. Immediately after the forum, we’ll set off on a Trolley Tour of cool stores in the Chicago area, complete with a yummy boxed dinners and drinks.
For descriptions of the sessions (as well as others), visit the Chicago Market Living and Giving website-—or just click here.
To sign up for the Power Lunch or Trolley Tour, rsvp before July 7th (by clicking here). The Power Lunch is free; since the Trolley Tour includes drinks, that one’s a nominal $24.99 per person (and is worth it; we really had fun last year).
To attend the forum, just show up. No rsvp or charge involved.
Hope to see you there; be sure to come up and say hello.
by Cinda Baxter on May 27, 2008
in Travel
A friend just emailed a link to this terrific blog post about what you need to know before traveling to foreign countries.
Admittedly, I don’t totally agree with his observations about health care or medicine, nor do I agree that euros have replaced the U.S. dollar as the international standard (based on recent experience), but beyond that, he makes a lot of really solid points.
Happy reading. And happier traveling.
