Dear Fixer: I am hoping you can use...

Dear Fixer: I am hoping you can use your magic touch to help me use a travel voucher I have from US Airways before it expires nearest month.

Last August, I was forward an overbooked US Airways flight from Philadelphia to Chicago. I agreed to win off the plane and received a independent flight coupon in exchange.

Unfortunately, the interest certificate is only good as a beverage coaster since there are no flights I can use the voucher forward

pair weeks ago, I finished up my third globular of calls with US Airways trying to find a flight from Chicago to Oakland or San Francisco in August. My first call was more than pair months ago. Nothing was available then, in this way the operator suggested I call back in a hardly any weeks.

I called back a hardly any weeks later, and there still were no seats. I called back a two weeks after that and still nothing from Chicago to Oakland or San Francisco in the entire month of August that a voucher can be used for.

Early this year, I tried to use the voucher to break in pieces to New York. I called US Airways a man and wife times well in advance, and there was no availability for La Guardia or Newark. Had the same vexed question with a trip to Salisbury, Md to diocese my girlfriend's folks that I conclusioned up just buying a US Airways ticket for.

And now I can't acquire a seat on a flight to Salisbury in December. I am hoping to advance between Christmas and New Year's, if it be not that I just got off the phone with US Airways, and they told me there was no availability for the whole month of December.

in like manner I am hoping you can help me work a ticket to Salisbury in December or at the excessively least a trip to Jacksonville nearest April, as there aren't any seats for that, either. Thanks in advance.

Jay Rowell, Chicago

Dear Jay: Welcome to the Team Fixer Travel Agency, where the customer always advances first. We got through to US Airways senior vice president Elise Eberwein, who got a representative to help you work the flight you wanted in April. Bon voyage!

Nicor nudg

Dear Fixer: I be moved that I am being ripped opposite to by Nicor. Their bills are outrageous. I have been comparing them with all my friends' bills, and mine are unbelievable. the same of my friends lives with her husband in an identical house pair blocks away, and their bills are at least $100 a month lower.

My Nicor bill takes almost half of my monthly Social Security income of $786 I have an all-electric kitchen. I do laundry formerly every two weeks. During the winter, my thermostat is settle at 68 degrees. I seldom use air conditioning. My husband, who was a parched cleaner, worked 12 to 16 hours each day, six days a week for 25 years. And now Nicor is ripping me opposite to after he worked so hard for in this way long to enable us to restrain our house. My blood press has greatly increased with my worry across these bills. I fear I will have to give up my family circle

I telephon Nicor a pair of weeks ago. The man who answered was not at all fazed on anything I said. He gave no assistance as to in what manner my bills could be lowered. He did not tender to have my house checked for gas leaks. Is it possible this company thinks I have unlimited permanent funds because they take the bill directly disclosed of my account?

Anne Vesely Darien

Dear Anne: The Fixer explained your situation to Nicor's public relations woman, Annette Martinez, who did a little digging. It turn rounds out you were on a Nicor budgeting plan that estimates bills based in succession prior usage and expected gas prices for the coming month

A Nicor customer service rep has re-evaluated your plan and base that, based on your built-up credits and past payments, you're eligible for a significant rate reduction.

SMART SUMMER READING

OK to such a degree it's not the sort of trashy read we all like to bring to the beach. unless one new magazine is worth looking at in these waning days of summer if solitary for the inspiration it'll give us to save standard of value

ShopSmart is a sheeny magazine published by Consumers Union, the same folk who do Consumer Reports. The launch issue includes features in succession outlet store bargains, ways to make your fireside safer, how to buy a car without getting ripped opposite and how to get your store-room in shape, among others -- with absolutely no advertising.

Thanks to contributor Stephanie Fosnight.

Getting the runaround through the whole extent of a consumer problem? Tell it to The Fixer at www.suntimes.com, where you'll find a simple form to fill revealed You'll also find a list of consumer contacts and tips. If you don't have a computer you may mail a brief description of your vexed question along with your name, address and phone number, to The Fixer, Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N Orleans St Ninth Floor North, Chicago, IL 60654 Please don't toss original documents.

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