I am filing a complaint against Alaska Airlines' Summer on Sale advertisement published in the Oregonian on July 19.
The ad says: San Diego - 4 nights Days Hotel - Hotel Circle - $299. The fine print says: Complete vacation packages include round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations. Prices shown are per person, based on adult double occupancy. And include round-trip airfare from Portland and hotel accommodations for the number of nights indicated at the hotel shown. Purchase by: 7/30/09. Travel by: 9/30/09. Blackout dates may apply. Day / Time Availability: San Diego Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday departures And it goes on to say what additional fees and taxes are not included. I am aware of the limitations of the deal.
I entered all possible dates and times on line, and none gave me the advertised deal. One day after the ad was published (because Alaska's booking office is not open during weekends), I called the 1800 number published in the ad, hoping that a knowledgeable sales representative might be able to help.
Because my vacation dates are flexible, I asked the representative what dates are available at the advertised price of $299. To my surprise, she was not aware of the ad. After putting me on hold for several minutes, she was not able to tell me what deals (dates) were available at $299, but instead tried to sell a $358 package which she said would be the closest she could find. I emphasized that my vacation dates are flexible, but apparently the advertised deal never existed so even if I am willing to adapt, there is no such thing as a $299,4-day San Diego deal.
She offered several explanations but I rebutted them on the spot:
- She said the advertised deal could have been all sold. I said the paper was only one day old.
- Even if that was the case, I asked her if any San Diego deals were sold over the past few days at that advertised price. She could not answer.
- She admitted that there was a misprint on the ad. Also, the price would not have included hotels. But the ad clearly describes what it is.
She went on to offer a 20% discount to me, but I was so disappointed at Alaska's marketing tactics that I said no.
I am requesting that Alaska to:
1. Acknowledge deceptive advertisement, advertising for a deal that never existed;
2. Make their sales department knowledgeable of the sales being promoted.
3. Stop deceptive advertisement.
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