How is United for Ted and did I get a good deal?

[disneyfan67]

I'm going to WDW in August 19th to the 26th and then Universal for 2 days. I leave on the 19th, return on the 28th and I was thinking about driving down from Chicago to WDW and dreading it. I was looking at air fares and everything seemed really high and I checked out a lot of sites. I finally found the best deal on United for Ted on thier website and got nonstop airfare for four people, round trip for $802.00, tax and fees included. Decent flight times and I got to reserve my own seats in advance. So what do you fellow Dis members think? I feel I got a good deal, not as good as last year but with the high fuel costs I think I did pretty good.


How is Ted as an airline and have any of you flown on it before? How about the service and do they run on time? I usually fly AA and have had no problems, but this is my first time flying United.

Thanks in advance for all your help and I would appreciate any usefull input.

 

[Windy City Heather]

I fly Ted out of O'hare a couple of times a year to Orlando. I think you did o.k. and it is good for what I am seeing now. I am flying Ted in May and we paid $197.00 a ticket which I thought was o.k.

I have only had one problem once with Ted and we were the last to check in do to very heavy traffic problems. There were not 4 seat together. I have a 3 year old and that was a problem. They did not put her and I together until the last minute.

That said, I love flying Ted. Great times to fly, milk on all flights and I can check in at the hotel and give them my luggage first thing in the morning and then head to the park for my final day.

 

[dpayne1969]

Hello,
we flew Ted in 2004.I loved the flight,loved the whole thing.Of course I have nothing to compare it too as this was our first flight.But it was great & I felt safe being on that plane as i was soooooooooooo nervous about flying for the first time.We had absolutely flawless flight,no delays,no lost luggage,nothing just smooth sailing.I would fly them any time.

 

[disneyfan67]

Thanks for those who replied so far. After looking around and seeing some of the prices on various websites, I think 800 dollars (w/tax) for a family of 4, flying nonstop and at decent times is good. I saw airfare for over 1200 dollars for some and a couple of them had stops! I think the days of dirt cheap airfare is gone, especially with the rising cost of fuel. I just hope the service is good and there's no problems. I'm leaving early on the 19th so I can start the magic asap!

 

[FINFAN]

We are using TED ORD/MCO a week ahead of you, combining FF miles and purchase tickets. Our price is 203 ( incl taxes etc) each for the purchase tix...same as you, great times and non stop. So we are OOP $614, $5 for the FF ticket. We ahve flown United plenty, but this is ou first "TED" FLIGHT...SO I wonder if we will notice any difference?


Pam

 

[bavaria]

VERY frequent United and frequent TED flyer here... I have flown ORD-MCO and back many many times since the first days of TED

TED flights have no business class but still have economy plus (seating with extra leg room, reserved for Mileage plus members with status). E+ seats can be bought for a paid upgrade by other travellers, space permitting, at check in or at the gate. (If the flight is full, one may get an 'upgrade' to an E+ seat without paying - note that United is holding firm to requirng payment and/or status to sit in E+ seats, even after takeoff) United is doing a great job filling all/most seats on these flights, just FYI

Otherwise the planes are standard Airbus with a 3-3 configuration; if you don't fly in business class on ohter flights you wont' see a difference. Meals for purchase - TED has some great boxes, including the new RiteBite box which has my favourite hummus, pita chips, ritz-like crackers, Toblerone bar, raisins, etc etc etc. Mainline United fliers complain that TED serves only a half can of soda, but you can get refills if required.

Initially, the in flight crew was always TED exclusive, but there is now crossover bwn TED and United crew members. The early TED flights (especially from Orlando) were usually a little more fun filled ala SW (not that I have ever flown SW, but from what I see on Airline). Now the cabin crew are a little more subdued.

Please note that in over 120,000 miles flown in the last year or so on United and TED, I have never had a bad experience. Most flights are not memorable, which is as it should be.

 

[disneyfan67]

Very cool and good feedback so far. Keep them comming if possible!




Eddie

 

[bavaria]

Oh, and TED has it's own 'corral' at ORD ie the gates are at the far end for TED flights. It can get very hot and crowded in that area, and seating is at a premium at times. The restrooms are before you get to the gates, and the food options are before and around the corner from the TED gates (Chili's, Starbucks, hot dog place, bagel place)

At DEN, TED gates are in another area from the regular UNITED gates. You'll need to take a tram if you are connecting from a United to a TED flight. Tehre is a small food court and a very good cookie place by the TED gates.

Don't know what else I can tell you, but any other United/TED questions go ahead and ask!