Can You Complain Yourself Out of Frequent Flier Program?

The answer apparently is yes. That's what happened to Rabbi S. Binyomin Ginsberg, who got booted off the Northwest frequent flier program:

"It didn't make sense. Initially, when they contacted me on the phone I thought it was a prank call," Ginsberg said.
"When I pushed for a reason and clarification, they told me it was because I was complaining too much."

In July 2008, Northwest sent the rabbi a letter noting that he had made 24 complaints in the past eight months, including nine incidents of his bag arriving late at the luggage carousel, according to court papers.

"You have continually asked for compensation over and above our guidelines. We have awarded you $1,925.00 in travel credit vouchers, 78,500 WorldPerks bonus miles, a voucher extension for your son, and $491.00 in cash reimbursements," the letter states, according to court papers.

"Due to our past generosity, we must respectfully advise that we will no longer be awarding you compensation each time you contact us."

Link

Image: Complaint Department Grenade Mug from the NeatoShop


Good. From the sound of it, he was abusing the system. 24 complaints in 8 months?! You'd think he would have found a different company after, oh, eight complaints within as many months...
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Most people will understand this immediately: go to court as soon as possible. List 100 witnesses that will testify they are jerks without a cause. Allow them to bring forward all two of their friends who will say they are not that bad.

Lawyers under corporate contrat will generate as many billable hours as they can even if that means their client loses in the long run.
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Let's see the highlights:
- 8 months = 24 complaints; an average of 3 complaints per month...
- already awarded with several compensations and continues to ask for MORE...
- continues to use the SAME company for such services (because it is cheap)...

Now fireaway at the stereotype jewish jokes...
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He was a frequent flier. 75 flights a year is pretty busy.

The airline should have the right to deny service to someone based on the fact that they appear to be abusing the system. They could have just said, "We're not allowing you to accumulate any more points, and we're not giving you any more money if anything goes wrong."

They probably should have allowed him to use up his old points.

It's a free country; they shouldhave the right to sell to whomever they want, as long as it's not a civil rights case. Some people are just so darn cheap, they'll complain when good things happen to them, just to get money.
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The customer is king.

If you think about it this does not really make any sense. The relationship between a customer and a provider of a certain service should be one of mutual respect. The customer pays something for a certain service, but that does not imply one of the two parties is a king and the other is a slave. It's like a trade; if you trade 5 potatoes for 5 carrots you don't expect the other party to be subservient to your every demand do you? Today we trade money for some service, but the point remains the same.

The customer is NOT king. Try that for a change and everybody involved will be much happier.
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What a bunch of stupid comments here. He flew with them a good 75 times a year and ultimately complained 10% worth of that. Not a bad average. How is this over the top and just trying to get something for nothing? They took away the points he earned through using their business! He, like I would, would want them back. You'd all be different of course. Pathetic.
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Paul234, you're really too far down the Paul food chain for your comment to count. On a good day, I might (keyword "might") listen to a Paul037 or perhaps even a Paul035, but really, anything except a Paul006 or less really doesn't count in my book. Sorry, better luck next time.
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Paul234, there's a problem with your math. 24 complaints in 8 months, so let's say it's 36 complaints a year. So that's almost 1 out of 2. Even if it's only 24 complaints a year it's still about a third.

Clearly he is not a profitable customer so why would the airline want him?
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Damn, the anti-Jewish sentiment around here! Listen, the airlines treat consumers so badly there really is no excuse for it. It's not alway the weather, it's not always the TSA, it's the crap they are consistently allowed to get away with. This guy complained about 10% of the time. Unless consumers stick up for themselves and each other, service providers will have no reason to change. The airlines don't give shit to people who have legitimate complaints most of the time so I doubt this guy was getting free goodies for being a "kvetch."
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I for one am pleased that he will no longer be rewarded for his behavior. I'm tired of the squeaky wheel always getting the grease. I've worked in customer service and it makes me crazy when these bullies always get their way, yet the the good, patient, and kind customers have to accept "company policy".
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