I am back in the U.S. this week for Thanksgiving and am just grinning tonight that my little ploy worked. My company booked me on a non-stop Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Los Angeles tomorrow but I opted to...
The Poor Folks at United Airlines Customer Service
I’ve written before about untied.com, the site that allows disgruntled United (and now Continental) passengers to post complaints about their expeirence. The sight recently got a facelift, humorously now resembling the current United.com homepage. Whenever I need a...
United Airlines to Launch Washington Dulles – Dublin Service
Just a quick note highlighting the announcement that United Airlines will begin flying from Washington Dulles to Dublin next May. The carrier will utilize a two-cabin 757 aircraft from the Continental fleet with lie-flat seats in business class. Dublin...
Amtrak Guest Rewards – United Airlines MileagePlus Partnership Changes
Not surprisingly, the Amtrak-Continental Airlines partnership will soon be scaled back. From 01 January 2012, you will no longer be able to transfer points between the two programs. Thankfully, it appears the train codeshares will remain and even after...
New FA Wings Coming to United Airlines
United Airlines has asked its flight attendants to choose new flight attendant wings as part of a uniform refresh coming next year. On the UA internal site, FAs were given the following information: “Now we invite you to vote...
My Advice to United Airlines on Inflight Wi-Fi
It appears that United is finally going to add wi-fi internet access across its domestic fleet and possibly its entire fleet. This announcement, made almost off-handedly by CEO Jeff Smisek earlier today during United’s quarterly conference call, is long...
United Club Passes on Sale for $19
United Airlines has discounted single-entry lounge passes at U.S. airports, offering the $50 passes for only $19. For those without lounge access, this offer is quite appealing. Sure, United Clubs are no comparison to clubs like a Lufthansa Senator...
50% Off + Free Shipping on United Airlines Tuilp Merchandise
As United Airlines transitions from the tuilp logo to Continental’s globe logo, they are clearing out old merchandise from thier online store, the United Shop. Now until supplies are exhausted, you can purchase most United-branded items for half price...
Dismal Service in United Airlines International First Class
If United Airlines wants to be, as Jeff Smisek puts it, “World’s leading airline,” treating international first class passengers like they are flying in steerage (or worse) is not going to cut it. This recent account posted on Flyertalk...
Three United Airlines Mileage Award Bookings in 15 Minutes
The most frustrating part of booking an award trip is when a telephone call to the airline is required. Some agents are quicker than others, but generally telephone awards just take a long time to book. I type this...
Aeroplan Points Devalued: No More Domestic First on Business Class Awards
Effective 06 September, two-cabin flights coded as “first class [O]” require three-cabin first class redemption rates when using Air Canada Aeroplan miles. I discovered the new policy while attempting to book a relatively straightforward award trip for a client...
Last Day to Purchase Lifetime United Club Membership
Tomorrow marks the final opportunity to purchase lifetime membership to the newly-branded United Clubs through Continental Airlines. As of today, the lifetime membership options have been removed from Continental’s site, but will still be available for purchase over the...
United Airlines Unveils New Million Mile Flyer Program
Since the United/Continental merger was announced last year, uncertainty has clouded the status of the combined carrier’s million-mile program. Which program would survive? United offered million-mile flyers Premier Executive (Star Gold) status for life and presented MMers with two...
United Airlines Releases Details on 2012 MileagePlus Program
After weeks of speculation, United Airlines finally revealed some specifics about its 2012 MileagePlus program. I am frankly gleeful to state that the changes are tolerable and United Airlines will remain my airline of choice in 2012. Here is...
A Battle with United Reservations Over Award Routing Rules
Considering I book multiple awards per week, mostly from US carriers, I have become intimately acquainted with award routing rules on the legacy carriers like United, Delta, American, and US Airways. You would not believe how often the agents...
Wi-Fi Arrives on Delta Regional Jets
Delta is already one of the leading U.S. carriers when it comes to in-flight internet access and now has become the first U.S. carrier to offer wireless internet access on its regional fleet: Delta Air Lines announced Wednesday that...
PJs, Duvets, and Slippers Coming to American Airlines First Class
I really do think many travelers suffer from the “grass is always greener on the other side” syndrome when comparing U.S. airlines to those carriers outside the U.S. Sure, the Southeast Asian carriers like Singapore and Cathay Pacific offer...
A Closer Look at United Airlines’ $550MN in Onboard Product Improvements
Fozz already nicely summarized the $550MN enhancements coming to United Airlines’ onboard product, but here’s a closer look from Scott O’Leary, Managing Director of Customer Solutions at United with my commentary below: Improved long-haul comfort with more flat-bed seats....
You just won 25,000 United Mileage Plus miles!
Last night I received the following text message from my brother: Dad and mom went to United Mileage Plus promotion at the Americana. Mother won two RCC passes. Dad won 25000 mp miles. While I don’t believe in luck,...
Thinking Critically About Rumored Changes to United Mileage Plus Program
News about the rumored changes to the United Mileage Plus program came as quite a shock to me. Although the final details will likely not be released until after Labor Day, it will still be advantageous to analyze each...