{"id":524,"date":"2012-04-26T01:44:10","date_gmt":"2012-04-26T05:44:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/boardingarea.com\/blogs\/verygoodpoints\/?p=524"},"modified":"2013-04-23T13:50:05","modified_gmt":"2013-04-23T17:50:05","slug":"united-usair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/verygoodpoints\/2012\/04\/26\/united-usair\/","title":{"rendered":"@United vs @USAirways – the grass isn’t always greener"},"content":{"rendered":"

Okay, I’ll admit it, I have been wishy-washy this year when it comes to airline loyalty. \u00a0It took only 1 international flight on United a few weeks ago to convince me that the grass isn’t always greener!<\/p>\n

I\u00a0blogged<\/span><\/a><\/span>\u00a0earlier about my switch from US Air Chairman status to United Gold Premier w\/the hopes of achieving United 1K in 2012. \u00a0Well, I’ve ditched that idea and I’m actually sticking with US Air. \u00a0For real this time!<\/p>\n

My United trip from CHS – ORD – BRU\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

On the flight from CHS to ORD, the regional jet had old cloth seats with no first class option. \u00a0As of late last year, all US Air flights from CHS have leather seats and first class on RJs. \u00a0At least the United flight from CHS to ORD was on time and uneventful.<\/p>\n

Once in ORD, I made use of the lounge while I waited for my flight – mind you – when I told them I was Gold Premier traveling coach to BRU, I was denied access to the lounge. \u00a0When I showed them my US Airways Chairman Card,\u00a0miraculously\u00a0I was granted access. \u00a0So United Gold Premiers traveling coach on United International flights have no lounge access. \u00a0Star Alliance Gold members flying international on United who show their membership card can have access. That makes no sense…but whatever…I got in.<\/p>\n

Since I was given Gold Premier Status by United, I didn’t have any upgrade certificates (that’s fine, I didn’t expect them) but because of United’s computer software upgrade, Star Alliance Mileage Upgrades weren’t being honored by United so I had no way to upgrade other than to pay cash. \u00a0They offered an upgrade from ORD to BRU for $859 from coach to business class and there were 4 open seats. Who pays that much to upgrade?<\/p>\n

The plane was dirty with a capital D! The flight attendant said it was soda. I”m not so sure….<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Dirty United Plane<\/p><\/div>\n

I was seated two rows behind the bulk head in coach (a huge mistake on an overnight flight – beware of babies in\u00a0bassinets! ) The child who was seated in front of me spent more than half the flight hanging over my seat and disturbing me. \u00a0After several requests to the parents to keep the kid out of my row without any success I asked another flight attendant if she could talk with them. \u00a0Her response – no. Apparently it’s not their job to ask parents to keep kids in their seat. \u00a0Ironically the seat belt sign was on. \u00a0Dear Parents, please control your kids!<\/p>\n

Next, after service in coach started I needed to use the restroom. \u00a0Since I was two rows behind the bulkhead, that also meant I was two rows behind the bathroom. \u00a0I went to use it and a flight attendant had the most unreal reaction. \u00a0I told her the aisle was blocked by the cart in the back and she didn’t care. \u00a0She said “I’m going to put a sign on the door saying business class only.” And in fact, she did! \u00a0She put a hand written sign that said business class only. \u00a0Never seen that before. \u00a0Furthermore, she made an extra effort throughout the rest of the flight to keep coach passengers out – even a woman who looked like she was about 90 and could barely walk – \u00a0a passenger who was in business class actually told her to let the 90 year old use the bathroom. \u00a0About 5 people applauded.<\/p>\n

LHR – IAD – CHS\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

My flight from LHR to IAD was delayed. Why? Because there was an equipment change. \u00a0The new plane had a different seating configuration which meant people who paid for Economy Plus exit row seats weren’t in the exit. \u00a0People who paid for Economy Plus\u00a0aisle\u00a0seats were in the middle . \u00a0It was a disaster. \u00a0Luckily the crew had a great sense of humor and tried to make the best of things. We sat on the ground for about an hour while people complained and played musical chairs.<\/p>\n

The flight was okay – nothing horrible – but the plane was old and needed some TLC! \u00a0I did hear a ton of the people in Business Class complain about the equipment change because apparently the new plane had really old business class seats and had a 2-3-3 configuration. The original plane would have had the new business class “pods”. \u00a0That’s a bummer of a change!<\/p>\n

Summary<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

There was absolutely nothing good about my flights on United. \u00a0The Gold status I was given – yes, given – by United did nothing for me. \u00a0The planes were old and dirty.<\/p>\n

So what’s the moral of the story? \u00a01 – US Airways isn’t so bad, 2 – United isn’t so great, 3- if you have the top level of status with one airline, don’t switch.<\/p>\n

So the next time I get the crazy idea to switch loyalty – someone please stop me!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

P.S. – now I have 9,378 United Miles and no idea what to do with them! \u00a0Any ideas?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UPDATE:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

After calling United, I learned that my ticket was ticketed before my Gold Premier Status went into effect. That is why I was charged for Economy Plus. \u00a0 I requested a refund, but was not given one. \u00a0However, I was given a free club day-pass for all the confusion in ORD at the club. \u00a0They confirmed that Gold Premier does have access to the Lounge on international flights.<\/p>\n

I have sent an email to United asking them to reconsider the refund of the Economy Plus fees. \u00a0We’ll see what happens.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Okay, I’ll admit it, I have been wishy-washy this year when it comes to airline loyalty. \u00a0It took only 1 international flight on United a few weeks ago to convince me that the grass isn’t always greener! 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