Still in germany ..

Unbelievable but I'm stuck in Germany again.

Or is it still stuck in Germany? I honestly am not too sure about that but here's what's going on,
and how it relates to this blog.

As mentioned in previous posts i am an elite member with Lufthansa, which pretty much mainly
means I spent a lot of money with them. Over the past month or so one of Lufthansa's
contract airline called "CityLine" began to strike occasionally which caused massive flight cancellations and delays.
Well, sadly today became part of the stranded passengers when my original flight out of London City Airport
was canceled but it was not notified. When I reached the airport and was notified that the flight was canceled
and that was going to be driven to London Heathrow Airport for another flight. The main problem
with this situation is not that i missed my flight or the discomfort of having to be driven for an hour to another
airport i intentionally tried to avoid, but that my connecting flight was due to depart two hours after my original flight arrives
which is also the last flight of the day to this destination is going to depart before i land, standing in for the night and of course
making me miss all my plans for the next day.

Now here's how the story relates tell her to our blog. Probably the biggest perk of being an elite with an airline is what is called soft product -
these little things you get which are not exactly listed anywhere but you get used to expecting them.
Unfortunately many times and frequent traveling you find yourself stranded, missing a connection, waiting for a night for a piece of luggage
that just didn't make it, begging for your flight to be changed see can be accommodated differently due to changes to your own schedule
and many other situations where being an elite is usually a big help.

These are the main advantages are received during this trip for being an elite - and please their in mind that I am not in the top status
with the airline this has happened to me on... first when I arrived to London City Airport and notified the flight was canceled and was
offered a meal voucher worth 16 pounds I could use at any restaurant or stolen the airport (which i used to buy several
sandwiches which would come useful later).. it is important to note that "regular" passengers have also received a voucher that only for 3 pounds.

Later, when i have missed my connection to my continuing flight, i was greeted at the aircraft door (so did many other passengers - my connection
was massively late) and given a voucher to the local Sheraton hotel at the airport - and a 35 Euro voucher to use for room service. Now, everyone
have received a Sheraton voucher - but the difference is that all the "gold" members (and passengers in business class) received such while economy
or no status passengers have received a 15 Euro voucher (and accommodation at the hotel). If i would have been a top status passenger (in
Lufthansa those are called "Hon Circle Members" and require you to fly 600,000 flight miles in two years) i would have received a better
hotel and much more in terms of $$ voucher. I believe same goes to passengers in First Class.

Both situations would have been quite livable - but of course, as mentioned it helps to be gold. It helps mainly in situations like these
where you just need the extra "perk" to get you through an annoying situation - instaead of having to wait in line for 40 minutes
with the other 190 passengers who needs attending to at the moment.. (important to note that on my flight there were over 20 gold members
who received the same treatment like me, and several "Hon" members who received a better treatment and a car ride directly to the airport.)

As always, your comments are appreciated -- and i would love it if you visit my website Frequent Flyer Tips

until later...

David.