AirTran issues refund and voucher

By NANCY PARADIS

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 22, 2000

In November I booked on the Internet a round trip to Atlanta for me and my husband. The flight to Atlanta was on AirTran, and the flight back was on Delta.

When we checked in at the AirTran counter, an inexperienced employee accidentally ripped out the wrong tickets. Instead of the tickets for Atlanta, she took out the tickets for the Delta return flight. I did not notice the mistake, and the person at the boarding gate also didn't notice.

Not until we were at the Delta counter did I discover that I did not have the return tickets. I had to pay $86.12 for my flight back. I was told to go to the AirTran counter in Tampa to get a refund.

At the AirTran counter I waited in line for more than an hour but had to leave before I could speak to the one person there. Since then, I have talked to several different AirTran employees, including a manager. I was always assured that I would get a refund.

The last time I spoke to someone was in January. I haven't been able to reach anyone since then; no one answers the phone.

My credit card company sent me a letter stating that AirTran said, "All tickets are issued on a nonrefundable basis and that passengers can apply the value of the ticket toward future travel with a minimum service charge of $45."

I am not satisfied with this reply and feel that it is unfair of AirTran to suggest this since it made the mistake. I have no intention of flying again with AirTran, so I want my refund. I would appreciate your help. Hanne Ramsager

Response: Done. AirTran will issue a credit of $86.12 to your credit card. You're also getting a voucher for future travel on AirTran in case you change your mind.

Replacement received

I bought a fiber optic Christmas tree last November, and the motor that turns the color wheel quit working after a few weeks. The store had already sold out of the trees, so I couldn't exchange it.

I wrote to the manufacturer, Puleo Tree Co. in South Plainfield, N.J., twice without result.

Today in the mail I received a replacement color wheel motor base. Thank you for pursuing this matter. I'm hoping to use my tree this Christmas. Dorothy Shirmer

Order canceled

Reader's Digest keeps sending me bills saying I owe for books. I have never received any books!

Also, the correspondence is addressed to Mr. A.G. Mintus. There is no such person at my address.

I just want Reader's Digest to take me off its list. I hope this can be resolved. Ann G. Mintus

Response: Leslie Beranato, customer care associate with Reader's Digest Association in Pleasantville, N.Y., apologized for the inconvenience you have experienced. The company's records indicate that a "Mr." Mintus at your address accepted the offer terms to receive the first, complimentary book in the Select Editions series. The order was entered Jan. 20, and the free volume and the first billed volume were mailed to your address.

The order has been canceled, and the charge of $23.82 has been removed from the account. The last billing statement was sent at the beginning of June and should be ignored, she said.

The account has also been marked so that you should not receive further promotions. However, because mailings are prepared in advance, it will take three to four months to stop.

If you have any questions, call the customer service bureau at (800) 234-9000.

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