Paying for help (From The Northern Echo)

Paying for help

4:23pm Monday 21st September 2009 in

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OK, so I've been complaining about this for days and getting no sympathy at my house.

I'm sorry but I am offended that in this country, I have to PAY to call a helpline, or a travel agent (especially when it's for something that isn't my fault).

I booked my rental cars on Expedia for my upcoming trip to Pennsylvania, and surrounding areas and the airline went and cancelled a flight and re-booked it.

Fine. Only problem is that I was supposed to have a 10:20 AM flight and have the car back by 9 AM, and NOW....that has changed to a 1PM flight and having the car back at noon.

Had to break down and call Expedia and talk to someone I could barely understand with a heavy French accent..AND pay "from" 10p a minute. God only knows what that will work out to on the old phonebill.

I could have left it alone, taken the car back at 9 AM as booked, and sat in the tiny tiny Erie "International" Airport for four hours twiddling my thumbs. I'm spoiled because in America, customer service lines/helplines are open 24/7 and are FREE!!! Imagine that.

I also have an ongoing (albeit FREE) conversation with Northwest Airlines. HOW do people get trained for Customer Service jobs/answering emails??? They train them all the same way. Respond, be polite and obtuse, and whatever you do...do NOT answer the question the person has asked.

At this point in time, I have three separate seat assignments for one Trans Atlantic flight in November. All this because the airline refuses to admit a fault on their site, and refuses to answer what I am asking them. I officially, at 6 PM on Monday evening...GIVE UP. That's "it". I've had it..no more. I'll show up and see if I'm in seat 18b,20b, or 23b. Or, maybe all three?