Apply for cards, get approved, earn the miles, spend the miles, travel, repeat. Wouldn’t it be nice if the entire process was always this smooth?
Unfortunately, it’s not. Sometimes, a step or two in this travel process can be a big PITA (Pain In The A**). Links don’t work, websites go down, award availability disappears, stuff happens. Just in the past week, I’ve been dealing with:
- What I thought was a public link that turns out to be only available for some people
- A reader getting multiple error messages when trying to transfer miles
- Trouble booking an AA award flight (stuck in a website loop)
- Malfunctioning Amex website (my accounts disappeared)
Sometimes, I just want to scream and walk away!
What to do
But, I don’t walk away. Why? Because, on the whole, this hobby is worth the occasional headaches I get from these glitches. In total, I’ve received so many free/discounted travel benefits that I will gladly keep plugging away at it. If you’re frustrated with something not working right, here’s what you can do:
- HUCA (Hang up, call again): Sometimes, talking to a different rep yields different results
- Utilize online chat (most bank/airline/hotel websites have this feature)
- Ask for help via Twitter (X) direct message. Many airlines/hotels are very responsive this way.
- Walk away for the day, and try again the next day. Sometimes, glitches do magically get fixed overnight.
- Ask others for help! This could be on reddit, FlyerTalk or an email to your favorite travel blogger. 🙂 (nancy@milesforfamily.com)
But whatever you do, don’t give up!
Has this hobby every been a PITA for you?
file:///Users/nancy/Downloads/google0545d24d353d1067.html
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
I’m not traveling as much as I used to so for me it’s not as exciting, I’ve kinda lost the drive and have cancelled a few cards. My free night certificates have been used more than once at the local Marriott which isn’t very glamorous. So I’ve cut back not completely but just not finding it as advantageous as before.
There are times when this hobby makes me feel like I’m standing at an intersection with the “walk” and “don’t walk” sign flashing at the same time.
I find myself paralyzed and frustrated so I walk away for a few hours or even a day and come back with a refreshed mind and usually I can accomplish what it is that I’m wanting to do.
@2808 Heavy Yes, I think we’ve all been there. 🙂
Sometimes the issue for me has been to simply change browsers but yes, it’s not always easy!
@Michelle Yes! Changing browsers sometimes does the trick.
I know chat is often recommended, but I usually don’t get good results with it. First I have to get past the useless automation, then I still don’t overall get good help. Always better by phone for me.
@Audrey Yes, it’s hit or miss on chat. I’ve had good results with bank chats.
Oh, of course. Especially with manufactured spending. But the profits are so lucrative… It’s worth the occasional tip toeing through a mine field!
@projectx Tip toeing through a mine field–great analogy!
Hello Nancy, Thank you for this informative piece. Without a doubt its useful to a first time traveller. Thank you again.