In all honesty, it is 0305 on Sunday morning, I have driven over 500km today to attend a wedding in Baden-Württemberg, just spent an hour on the phone booking an award with British Airways, and I just do not...
Leak: United to Completely Overhaul Mileage Plus Program?
Ben brings us the following changes under consideration for United Airlines’ Mileage Plus program from what he terms a “reliable” source: Class of service bonuses: Class of service bonuses for full fare tickets and paid premium cabin tickets will...
That’s One Way to Get to Cuba!
A United Airlines flight from Washington Dulles to Cancun was diverted to Havana on Sunday when crew members reported a “strong odor” in the cabin. Some later reported that a burning smell (Cuban cigars perhaps?) was emanating from the...
United Pilot Refuses to Fly until His Crew Meal is Loaded
Was it right for a United pilot to delay a three-hour domestic flight for more than 45 minutes because he did not get the crew meal he was expecting? Flyertalker CaliC shares the following story: So last week on...
United Systemwide Upgrades Can Now Be Used on Continental Flights!
Ben reports that United systemwide upgrades (SWUs) can now be applied on Continental flights. For now, you have to call to request the upgrade, but within the coming days this should be available to request online. I gave Continental...
New Chase United Visa Card Ushers in Changes to Mileage Plus Program
Yesterday, Chase unveiled its new United “Mileage Plus Explorer” credit card, which will replace the current Chase Continental and United credit cards. The sign-up bonus is not all that exciting: 25K miles after your first purchase, 5K for adding...
Tom Stuker Earns Titanium Global Services Status on United
As an aspiring million mile flyer, I find it necessary and proper to offer my congratulations to Tom Stuker, United’s most frequent flyer and a true “Up in the Air” figure. After 29 years of flying, he crossed the...
Reminder: United Airlines Award Chart Changes Tomorrow
United Airlines’ updated mileage award chart comes into effect tomorrow and for the most part, the changes are good. There are a few award regions that will see an increased mileage requirement, however, so it might be wise to...
United to Close Denver Hub?
A piece ran in the Denver Post yesterday speculating on the future hub status of Denver, implying that United is ready to axe it. I see no cause for concern just yet. The rumors stem from internal UA documents...
United Shuns Continental and Reinstates Zone Boarding
Finally, a United policy wins out! During my travels in the United States last month I witnessed the birth of United’s “new” boarding policy, which could only be described as chaotic and inefficient. Mimicking Continental, UA began boarding military...
Hawaiian Flying on United Airlines
I enjoyed four Hawiian flights on United Airlines last month and provide this brief review of each flight to demonstrate that onboard amenities have improved since I compared United and Continental between Los Angeles and Honolulu last year. Flight...
Frankfurt to Washington Dulles in United Economy Plus
With 1K status now in the bag (in fact, I was surprised to see that I have banked over 120K EQMs already this year after all the flights credited), my travel on United for the year may be over....
Why Soldiers Should Not Board First on United Airlines
It is Memorial Day today in the United States, a day in which America honors those soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of their country. What started out as Decoration Day in 1865, when freed...
On the Matter of Flight Attendant Professionalism
I utilize public transportation to get to and from work at Frankfurt International Airport and run into a LOT of uniformed airline personnel, particularly from Lufthansa and United. United has a crew base in Frankfurt and therefore has a lot...
Remarkably Efficient and Friendly Service from United Reservations
Much to my delight, I have been up late the last few nights booking awards for people and have been on the phone with United quite a bit. Without any equivocation, I have to admit that the every single phone call...
United Enforcing E-Certificate Expiration Dates
Watch those expiration dates on your United e-certificates because all of a sudden UA seems to be enforcing them. For the last few years, UA’s e-certificates, issued for service problems experienced onboard or on the ground, have had expiration...
United Eliminates Pillows in Domestic First Class
For an airline that claims to be transforming itself into “world’s leading airline,” you have to question the recent decision to remove pillows from domestic first class flights. Yet that is exactly what United has done this week, following the model of their...
"You’re Flying from Washington to Chicago via Brazil?"
You should have seen the face of the United Airlines agent at Sao Paulo last week when I asked for a seat assignment change (moving to an open center section of five seats at the last minute) and she pulled...
Systemwide and Regional Upgrade Reciprocity Coming to Continental/United this Summer
Good news for holders of confirmed upgrades instruments on United and Continental: your upgrade options will soon widen. This morning I received the following e-mail from United: We understand how important upgrades are to you. Currently, elite members of...
United Mistakenly Reinstates 9/11 Flight Numbers
An insensitive and inexcusable mistake or an honest oversight that was quickly corrected? As United and Continental merge into a single entity, they continue to take steps to align the operations of the two airlines. UA and CO recently...
