Global Services experiences 2015
Feb 17, 2015, 1:41 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: EUG
Programs: UA Gold; IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 443
What on earth would be the rationale for not giving nuts if someone doesn't order a drink? That is the strangest thing I've heard in awhile...
Feb 17, 2015, 1:47 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Sort of like the no PBDs on (plane) because the aisles are too narrow.
Feb 17, 2015, 1:52 pm
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: UA GS, F9 Summit, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 333
Sometimes I wonder where they come up with this stuff? Not saying they had to know you are a GS but they probably could see it on their manifest if they were paying any attention which makes me wonder how they think they can pull a fast one excuse on someone who obviously flies enough.
Sort of like the no PBDs on (plane) because the aisles are too narrow.
Sort of like the no PBDs on (plane) because the aisles are too narrow.
As to the GS part I may have an explanation - they may not have realized I was the GS until later on. I switched seats with the gentleman across the aisle from me in 4B, as my family were in 4A and 5AB and I was in 4C.
Feb 17, 2015, 2:03 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
I wanna know what the GA did when you're wife pushed the stroller up when they announced GS boarding.
Feb 17, 2015, 2:15 pm
#35
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
The nuts thing is so insane, and the FA who invented that and tried to stick to their guns because they didn't want to (heaven forbid) serve a kid nuts should not be in a customer-facing role. Please complain about that I'd nothing else, and insist on follow-up. It'll make things better for everyone else.
Feb 17, 2015, 3:05 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
That's just how the universe works
I'd write in and complain about the nuts thing and the broken piece on the stroller. I've heard that they seem to actually listen to GS's.
Feb 17, 2015, 3:14 pm
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: UA GS, F9 Summit, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 333
If you hadn't said that to your wife, I'm sure your trip would have gone smoothly. Being welcomed on board first with your stroller, mercedes ride, extra nuts and drinks for your kids ...
That's just how the universe works
I'd write in and complain about the nuts thing and the broken piece on the stroller. I've heard that they seem to actually listen to GS's.
That's just how the universe works
I'd write in and complain about the nuts thing and the broken piece on the stroller. I've heard that they seem to actually listen to GS's.
To be honest, I didn't really pay much attention since I was carrying everyones carryons, but they certainly didn't stop us or say anything else. My wife boarded first so its probably a good thing they printed global services on the bottom of her boarding pass because if they had stopped and called her out I may have lost it a bit.
Feb 17, 2015, 4:54 pm
#38
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Geneva, IL (ORD)
Programs: United 1K (GS Refugee), Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 93
Kids and Mercedes Transfer
Certainly not apologizing for the crazy service on board (agree, the no nuts thing is a first as usually they are trying to push the nuts on my son who really doesn't want them), but think the no Mercedes transfer might be because of kids. My wife son and I were on a very tight connection due to delay on an ORD-SFO-HNL flight this spring. The GS agent met us at the airplane door for connection at SFO which wouldn't have made if tried to walk it. But she was very concerned when she saw my son until she found out he was 12. She didn't say an age cutoff but it was clear from way she was talking that tarmac access for the Mercedes was not available if kids were young. Doesn't excuse fact that no one was available to help/checking on you when deplaned. But might explain no car transfer.
Feb 17, 2015, 5:37 pm
#39
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA(EXP)UA(1K/1MM) Marriott(PP,LifeTime Plat) Hertz(5*)
Posts: 449
I will update myself (from my quote above) in my first week as 1K. Most if not all flights purchase FC. One segment is not (coach). Four days out, inventory available, and no CPU. GS - no problem 5 days out, or if it did not clear, just call GS line and poof, upgrade cleared. 1K, no such thing. Agent was like, "whatever..." Probably wont even clear a CPU. So in summary GS rocks, 1K sucks (so far). I am pushing hard to make my spend for GS 2015 challenge ASAP to get my GS membership back. I miss it already 
Welcome to the real world.
Feb 17, 2015, 6:16 pm
#40
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Certainly not apologizing for the crazy service on board (agree, the no nuts thing is a first as usually they are trying to push the nuts on my son who really doesn't want them), but think the no Mercedes transfer might be because of kids. My wife son and I were on a very tight connection due to delay on an ORD-SFO-HNL flight this spring. The GS agent met us at the airplane door for connection at SFO which wouldn't have made if tried to walk it. But she was very concerned when she saw my son until she found out he was 12. She didn't say an age cutoff but it was clear from way she was talking that tarmac access for the Mercedes was not available if kids were young. Doesn't excuse fact that no one was available to help/checking on you when deplaned. But might explain no car transfer.
Feb 17, 2015, 6:37 pm
#41
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,317
Feb 17, 2015, 8:10 pm
#43
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,317
One of many possible reasons as I believe that MB loans the car to UA to use at the airports. Their insurance / UA's insurance might specifically exclude young children (or disabled, or pets, or ...) for any number of reasons. 99.9% of the time it would probably never be an issue - but it's the 0.1% that insurance companies & attorneys worry about....
Feb 17, 2015, 8:52 pm
#44
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SFO / Hawaii / Northern MN
Programs: Catered by me instead of FBO (semi retired)
Posts: 921
I am sorry that that happened, but I have to say IAH is one of the better hubs for GS I've experience; I am sure if they had the ability to meet you they would have, but perhaps there were other flights and sometimes it doesn't work out in your favor. I wouldn't say this was horrible as a GS as it is as available. The nuts is odd, and the gate agent is nice but that is irregardless of status. The IAH gate transfer is just bad luck ... perhaps a lot of tight connections. In either case I am sorry that happened to you. This is my first year as a GS, and so my expectations might be pretty low.
Im sad to report my first terrible united experience. It started off bad when the gate agent in DEN felt the need to make an announcement that "we do not pre-board small children" obviously directed at my wife standing near the boarding area with the stroller.
Next up, the flight attendants DEN-IAH were extremely rude to my (thankfully) well behaved kids (refused to bring them nuts in first because 'they aren't allowed if they don't order a drink') until I mentioned writing feedback. In any case we had a tight connection in IAH where our connecting gate was really far away. We landed - no car service, no cart service, no agent. I took the kids off the plane while my wife waited for our stroller. It came off first and they threw it back out onto the stairs to accommodate some random guy throwing a fit that he needed his right now, managing to break a piece off ours in the process. Finally, we sprint down to the other gate where we barely make it.
I can't say enough about how opposite it was to prior GS experiences Ive had. I felt sick and quite frankly embarrassed, having assured my wife the reason we spend so much on United is that they try hard to take care of GS members. Blah.
Next up, the flight attendants DEN-IAH were extremely rude to my (thankfully) well behaved kids (refused to bring them nuts in first because 'they aren't allowed if they don't order a drink') until I mentioned writing feedback. In any case we had a tight connection in IAH where our connecting gate was really far away. We landed - no car service, no cart service, no agent. I took the kids off the plane while my wife waited for our stroller. It came off first and they threw it back out onto the stairs to accommodate some random guy throwing a fit that he needed his right now, managing to break a piece off ours in the process. Finally, we sprint down to the other gate where we barely make it.
I can't say enough about how opposite it was to prior GS experiences Ive had. I felt sick and quite frankly embarrassed, having assured my wife the reason we spend so much on United is that they try hard to take care of GS members. Blah.
Feb 17, 2015, 9:06 pm
#45
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS / MM
Posts: 208
My recent trip, the outbound was uneventful. IB, sat on UA888 for a while then deplaned and more waiting. 3+ hours after scheduled DT, while waiting for the engine part, the crew timed out.
A couple of us GS were protected on two flights, one direct on CA and another on UA via ORD. Unfortunately by the time it was cancelled, no time to get on the CA flight. A GA handed us new boarding passes, escorted us out and re-enter the custom. More delays and tight connections at ORD and SFO. Met by GS agents and got a car ride. Alas, my baggage couldn't keep up with such efficient connection and didn't arrive with me. 