Experiences with United Airlines

[Moonpie]

Hello! Has anyone had any experiences with United Airlines coming into Orlando? We were looking for a nonstop flight from San Francisco to Orlando for our honeymoon, and found only one flight that does that...and it's only on United. After we scheduled our flight we found that it had changed (with out notice to us) twice! It first changed from a first class nonstop, to an economy flight that stopped in Denver....and they didn't even offer to give our money back for the difference between first class and economy. We got it changed back, but were told that they are not required to give any warning of changes, and they offered no apology, or reason for the change. Now today, it changed again to take off and land at a later time of day! I suggest that if anyone has a United Flight, look at your flight status daily! It will change without warning...and to think that we might arrived at the airport to leave for our honeymoon, and find all these changes!!! It's really important to us to have a nonstop flight...so we will stick with United for now...but if something else were to happen....

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

United is one of the better airlines, but EVERY airline has schedule changes. Just check all the complaints on this board for many different airlines and schedule changes.

to think that we might arrived at the airport to leave for our honeymoon, and find all these changes!!!

Wow. I cannot imagine not checking flight status before leaving for the airport and several days before your flight as well.

 

[safetymom]

Did you book first class? Once you make your reservation you should be checking it often for any changes. The sooner you see the changes the earlier you can call the airline and see what changes need to be made.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

My one experience with United, I flew non-stop from MCO to LAX and back. The flight itself was just fine, except that they played the SAME episode of Deal or No Deal twice on the flight out, and the same one (again, twice) on the return flight.

However, I did find that United customer service employees really didn't give a hoot if I was happy with thier service or not. Both the agents on the phone, and in person at the airport could care less that I was a customer, or about answering my questions or fixing my problem. The flight attendants were very uppity, and snobby. Don't get me wrong, they (reluctantly) answered my questions and solved my problem... but no smiles.

Maybe it's because I'm used to the easy going, friendly atmosphere of Southwest. *shrug*

 

[klmall]

We have flown United before and like other airlines, yes, it changes flight times.

My DH who booked our upcoming flights subscribed to their e-mail notification service so when the recent 3 minute flight departure time change was made we got an e-mail as well a phone message.

Actually United is better about this than Delta where we accumulate our credit card reward miles tends to be about flight changes.

We'll see how our flights go in 9 days!

 

[Moonpie]

We have flown United before and like other airlines, yes, it changes flight times.

My DH who booked our upcoming flights subscribed to their e-mail notification service so when the recent 3 minute flight departure time change was made we got an e-mail as well a phone message.

Actually United is better about this than Delta where we accumulate our credit card reward miles tends to be about flight changes.

We'll see how our flights go in 9 days!

Thanks! I'll sign up for that email notification right away! I'm just used to flying back and forth from NJ to CA on Continental, and we've never had anything change in our schedules like this before. It's just a matter of getting used to a different business, and a different business ethic. Thanks, and have a great time at WDW!

 

[bavaria]

I just spent another wonderful day with United - no sarcasm there at all. I continue to rate them highest in service and elite program, but it's important to understand that United has managed to get out of bankruptcy in part by catering to business travellers over leisure travellers (with the exception of TED).

We rarely see United negative comments, but that's in large part due to the customer base ie business travellers.

 

[Moonpie]

They cater to business travellers more than leisure travellers? ...maybe that's why they went bankrupt in the first place.

 

[ACDSNY]

Our United flights for October have changed twice too. The first one was without any notice, the second one I received a computer recorded call.

 

[kaytieeldr]

There IS still a non-stop trip between SFO and MCO. Call back and tell them you want to be changed back to this itinerary and good luck. Point out that (I think, United takes a while to load on my computer) the new flights have you arriving X number of hours later.

 

[bavaria]

They cater to business travellers more than leisure travellers? ...maybe that's why they went bankrupt in the first place.

No, they emerged from bankruptcy exactly BECAUSE they cater to business travellers. We don't look for $39 fares and expect great service; in fact United's fares are usually a little higher than their competition, but every seat on almost every plane is full.

we get our Economy Plus seats and great mileage benefits. Excellent service.

Sorry if you don't like the truth, but this is the truth with United. They realized that there are too many carriers out there trying to survive by slashing prices, and took a different route. Sometimes RAISING prices is a good business decision.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

They cater to business travellers more than leisure travellers? ...maybe that's why they went bankrupt in the first place.

You are mistaken. Business travellers are the backbone of the airline industry, not someone who tales 1-2 leisure trips a year.

 

[safetymom]

Busienss travelers will pay the higher fare and that is what the airlines want. Frequent business flyers are highly prized by the airlines not the flyer that only flies once a year. The leisure traveler typically wants very low fares and lots of customer service.