Flying United First on points from YYC to MOC!

[Calgary DISHeads]

Managed to get us four first class tickets with aeroplan points Had been looking for weeks but the least point tickets I could find were 50,000 pts each - double what it normally costs and that was only because I'm elite (frequent flyer). I called into the call centre and was told there is a charge if I wanted her to book my flight which was not a problem if she could find me a better deal. She came up with first class for 40,000 each and waived the charges because those same flights did not come up through the online booking system. Air Canada drives me crazy! This happened to me last time too - and yes, I have complained but it appears to fall on deaf ears. Anyway - it all worked out for the best in the end. Has anyone flown United First? Experiences? This is the rest of the families first experience with first class. I'm fortunate that my company flies us business class internationally but I've never done first class domestically. We have a quick connection in Denver - 90 minutes - missed our connection last time in Toronto because of baggage issues but hopefully since we clear customs in Calgary we will make it this time.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Just a word of warning as we booked tickets on United through A/C to Indianapolis in March. This was the first time we had flown on United and all was well until we went to check in at the Indianapolis airport for the return flight home when they advised us that our reservation had been canceled

Thank goodness we had a hard copy of our original booking, and they were able to reinstate the reservation but of course we lost our seat assignments and they were not at all helpful in trying to get us seats together for either of the flights home. We were most gracious that the other passengers agreed to switch seats so we could sit together.

 

[drag n' fly]

Check check and re-check your flights. We flew United in December from Calgary to Tampa and they changed our flights 5 times.

If you can swing it have everyone in your party take only a 20 inch carry on each. Try to board the plane as quickly as possible...why????


Well United is notorious for losing luggage....yes including ours both ways. If you can get on the plane quickly you can store your suitcase in the overhead for free. Once those are full however your bag must be checked under the plane for a charge. Unfortunately it never seems to end up under the plane you happen to be travelling on! hth!

 

[dis_guy]

We fly United from Edmonton to MCO through Denver. Our reservation (most recent one for Xmas) was made in February and once July came along we got 5 or 6 time changes within a couple of weeks and all were minor ones of just a few minutes. We received the notification email from Air Canada. 90 minutes is lots of time to connect in Denver. You'll probably come into the United concourse (B IIRC) at the far end where the smaller regional jets come in. From there you just walk down to your gate in the same terminal. If your jet is larger (757, 737, A320, etc) you'll just come into a regular gate. You'll clear US Customs in Calgary so your baggage is just automatically sent along. United hasn't lost my bags yet, touch wood! BTW search "United Breaks Guitars" on YouTube for a cute video.

 

[crashbb]

Beware to be underwhelmed. If you are used to flying business/first internationally, the UA domestic/transborder first is definitely an inferior product (by alot) - though the warm nuts are a nice touch. And you can use the lounges (the Red Carpet lounge in MCO is pretty good - spent a lot of time there once due to a canceled flight).