I reported yesterday that I scored a bump on my Sunday SFO-PHL flight and was rebooked in First Class on a non-stop flight this morning. The flight was oversold again and I happily gave up my seat for another $600 voucher. I was rebooked into Baltimore this afternoon and now will have to find my way to Philadelphia in the morning. I could have remained in San Francisco another day, but I really need to be back in PHL tomorrow so I do not anticipate taking another bump on the BWI flight, even though it is oversold by 19. Still, if a seat opens up on the SFO-PHL redeye, I would not mind making another $600!
My happy predicament
I’ve had a lot of time at SFO and enjoyed brunch in Singapore’s SilverKris lounge the last two days. If you have a Star Gold card and are ever at SFO between 0900-1215 or 2045-1200, check out the lounge: the food and beverage selection puts the Red Carpet Club to shame.
After my bump yesterday, UA gave me a voucher for the Red Roof Inn near the airport. You know from my trip reports that I have no qualms with cheap hostels or hotels, but when someone else is footing the bill I appreciate at least a three star, especially in the U.S. After seeking advice from Lucky, I asked a really nice agent in the Red Carpet Club to move me to a better hotel. After a few moments of searching, he said that the Red Roof Inn was the only hotel available. I asked another agent in baggage claim on the way out and she confirmed that the Doubletree or Crowne Plaza were sold out.
As it turned out, I spent very little at the hotel (I had a wonderful dinner with my cousins in Fremont), but it wasn’t that bad. At least it was clean.
When I was in the Air Force, "Flexibility is the Key to Air Power" was a frequent slogan plastered on walls and in manuals. After another $1200 in bumps, it is clear that the statement is also applicable to commercial travel.
As a 1K or Plat. MileagePlus flyer traveling on an intl itinerary in Jan 2014 I am interested in checking out the SING lounge you mentioned @ SFO. If I am traveling United metal from USA to Asia or from Asia to USA on the return how to get from the UA gates to the SING lounge? Can this be done without having to go through TSA? What is the best route from UA gates to the Singapore business lounge? Thank you in advance for your help
@ahnan: You will have access to the lounge. Just enter security through the INTL Terminal, then head right and you’ll find the United Club, EVA Evergreen Lounge, and the SilverKris lounge between them. There will be signs directing you. If you enter through United Domestic (where PreCheck is), just head left once you get past security, down the long hallway, and up the escalator to the international terminal–the club will be around the corner to left from the escalator.