i had 50, 000 travel points transferred from my american express card to alitalia for a flight to italy 5 days ago. they gave a confirmation number for the transfer but now say they have no points for me and that i need to pay for my upgrade if i want it. not only can they not fix this problem but they have been (when you actually get to speak with anyone) rude, combative and insulting with both me and the american express rep and manager. most calls made, and there have been more than 40, we have been hung up on. amex has told me thay are pretty amazed at the rudeness communication and apoligized to me for having to listen to it. the airline was verbally abusive. the only thing i can do right now is wait to see if any resolution comes in the next few days. if not i am considering proceding with a legal complaint.

On June 10, 2010, 7 of us were flying from Venice to Rome on Flight AZ 1464
then from Rome to Chicago, Flight AZ 628.

I was the "leader" of the group and when we checked in, I advised the young
man that there were 7 of us and that my daughter, M. J. Cochrane and I
wanted to sit together on the flight. 2. I also gave him my Skymiles number
and asked him to please post this number to my tickets which he said he
would do. 3. The second pair were Sharon May and her sister, Marilyn
Sanders. They also wanted to sit together. 4. I advised the agent that
Marilyn Sanders was not to be routed to Kansas City from Chicago but
St. Louis from Chicago. 5. Ruth Ewy advised the agent that she did not
want to sit in the last row of the plane.
The last couple, Rita and Julie Tharp, mother and daughter were seated
correctly.


When we had gone thru security and were at the gate, I noticed that
Marilyn Sanders was booked all the way to Kansas City after we were
so careful to tell him she was going to St. Louis. The two gate agents,
who just sitting around talking to each other, sent us to the front gate
to take care of the changes. They were too lazy to do it themselves.
That meant coming thru security again and the hassel of taking off
your shoes, etc.

On both flights, the Venice agent had booked my seat 10 rows ahead of
my daughter. Sharon May was on the last Row and her sister, Marilyn
Sanders was in 30D. Ruth Ewy was in the very last row as she had
requested not to be seated there. Fortunately, the flights were not oversold
and we were able to change seats on the flight from Rome to Chicago.

Also Marilyn Sanders suitcase had been lost for two weeks and was at the
Venice airport. We asked that the suitcase be sent to Chicago/St. Louis
like her present bag. It did not make it for another WEEK.

I have never had such horrible service from an airline in my life. The
service from Chicago to Rome was wonderful. The return service
was not great. The stewards/stewardess were not nearly as accommodating
as the ones coming from the States. I loved Italy but I hated how we were
treated by Alitalia Airlines.

Mary A. Short.

Two Years ago my son took a trip to Europe - Air Alitalia lost his luggage - it wasn't returned until a month after he returned. There is NO telephone number for Customer Service. Everything is by fax and mail. Not even Email. I have yet to speak to a person. We have filed a claim because much of his spending money was used on essentials and clothes. After providing all the requested receipts, photos, documents, etc. They just stopped answering our mail. No final response on the claim was ever received. This is has been going on for two years. They ruined his vacation and now just ignore their customers. NEVER FLY WITH THEM. You can't even reach them when you need assistance.