Recently, I launched a best and worst consumer experience feature on Unlocking The Power of Your Money.
I think looking weekly at these experiences helps us learn from our successes and mistakes.
Here are my most and least successful consumer transactions for this week:
My best consumer experience: Receiving a Priceline coupon
Recently I wrote about trying to find a less expensive airline ticket. I searched the Internet for cheaper fares and coupons.
Disappointed, I gave up and ordered my ticket from Priceline.
As I was checking out, I was offered a coupon for 15 percent of the airline ticket if I joined Priceline’s Great Fun club. I signed up. The first month was free, and if you canceled your membership before the end of the month, you wouldn’t be charged the monthly fee for the club.
I’m happy to say that I finally received my coupon for $35.70.
I didn’t receive the e-mail I was to get containing the form to fill out. I had to call to obtain it.
Then I forgot to include my itinerary so I had to send the information in again. It’s a good thing I’d kept a copy of the original mailing.
My worst consumer experience: Eating airline food
The traffic was heavy when a friend drove me to the airport for a trip. I didn’t have time to buy lunch to eat on the plane, a traveling technique I’ve been using for a couple of years now. I arrived at the gate just as the plane was boarding.
I was stuck with the food I’d brought with me – organic almonds and hazel nuts – and airline food. Since I don’t eat sugar anymore or many carbohydrates, I bought the two items that I thought wouldn’t contain sugar – potato chips and mixed nuts.
When I arrived at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, I had about a half hour to make my connecting flight. I was one of the last people to board the plane. I didn’t have time to buy dinner.
Since the flight was less than three hours, American Airlines only had snacks, no sandwiches. I bought Tostitos and salsa, which I ate with organic nuts.
I'd like to see the airlines would do something about the food they serve. It keeps deteriorating in quality and offerings.
