So, I really feel like sharing my experience with you all so that you can either tell me Im being ridiculous, or support my impression.
I had the pleasure of experiencing my first flight with United on a route between San Francisco and Newark. As a regular SAS traveller, I was looking forward to seeing if domestic flights with an american airline is as bad as the rumours say.
After recommendations received here at Flyertalk, I went ahead and spent $60 on an Economy Plus seat. I even got the exact seat you guys recommended (thank you). Two days before departure I double checked my seating, and noticed that I was now seated all the way at the back of the aircraft on a regular economy seat. I called up United, and they told me there had been a "glitch" in the system, and moved me back up. Albeit not to the seat I originally paid for, but an economy plus seat nonetheless.
I then get to the airport, looking forward to the 6 hour flight. Being a rather tall person (190cm), the added legroom of Economy+ would be lovely.
However, when I get my ticket, I see that Im seated all the way in the back of the aircraft, row 35!! I ask why I am seated there, and apparently there has been a change of aircraft (same type, the 767, but different seat configuration).
I then asked whether I would get a refund, and I was told I had to go online and apply for one.
At this point, Im dissapointed by two facts: 1 - that I paid for something I didnt get, and 2 - that I had to ask for the refund. Why is there no automation here?
But what made me really upset is when I get on the aircraft, I notice there are a lot more Economy+ seats than what was on the original seat map, in addition to a very nice looking business and first class. (lie flat seats, etc). Now where I get mad is when I overhear two people sitting on Economy+ (by coincidence, one of them is sitting in the seat I was originally reserved for) saying this:
"Wow! I got Economy+! I didnt pay for it.. and I only thought Star Alliance Gold members got upgraded for free! Nice!" I also bumped into a friend of mine who got Economy+ without paying for it. He doesnt even have a frequent flyer card either.
I then call up United and have to listen 5 minutes of automated commercials on how "Premium Star Alliance customers get lots of benefits!"... The agent gave me no answers and all he could say was that I could go online and request a refund for the 60$..
Is this really how United treats premium customers? Or even regular customers?
Am I right to be upset, or is just how things are with this airline?
Thanks for all the answers..
I had the pleasure of experiencing my first flight with United on a route between San Francisco and Newark. As a regular SAS traveller, I was looking forward to seeing if domestic flights with an american airline is as bad as the rumours say.
After recommendations received here at Flyertalk, I went ahead and spent $60 on an Economy Plus seat. I even got the exact seat you guys recommended (thank you). Two days before departure I double checked my seating, and noticed that I was now seated all the way at the back of the aircraft on a regular economy seat. I called up United, and they told me there had been a "glitch" in the system, and moved me back up. Albeit not to the seat I originally paid for, but an economy plus seat nonetheless.
I then get to the airport, looking forward to the 6 hour flight. Being a rather tall person (190cm), the added legroom of Economy+ would be lovely.
However, when I get my ticket, I see that Im seated all the way in the back of the aircraft, row 35!! I ask why I am seated there, and apparently there has been a change of aircraft (same type, the 767, but different seat configuration).
I then asked whether I would get a refund, and I was told I had to go online and apply for one.
At this point, Im dissapointed by two facts: 1 - that I paid for something I didnt get, and 2 - that I had to ask for the refund. Why is there no automation here?
But what made me really upset is when I get on the aircraft, I notice there are a lot more Economy+ seats than what was on the original seat map, in addition to a very nice looking business and first class. (lie flat seats, etc). Now where I get mad is when I overhear two people sitting on Economy+ (by coincidence, one of them is sitting in the seat I was originally reserved for) saying this:
"Wow! I got Economy+! I didnt pay for it.. and I only thought Star Alliance Gold members got upgraded for free! Nice!" I also bumped into a friend of mine who got Economy+ without paying for it. He doesnt even have a frequent flyer card either.
I then call up United and have to listen 5 minutes of automated commercials on how "Premium Star Alliance customers get lots of benefits!"... The agent gave me no answers and all he could say was that I could go online and request a refund for the 60$..
Is this really how United treats premium customers? Or even regular customers?
Am I right to be upset, or is just how things are with this airline?
Thanks for all the answers..