Originally Posted by
gooselee
Hi United FTers. Looking for some advice - most of my UA/*A experience is piddly intra-Europe award travel and basic US domestic tickets, so I'm far less familiar with UA/*A than I am with my usual DL/SkyTeam.
Situation:
- Parents, both 74 years old, are currently in SIN
- Booked on UA to return SIN-SFO-ATL on 11th December (UA metal, tickets, bought with cash on UA.com, K fare)
- Mom is healthy and mobile, but not strong/cannot carry much more than a standard 22" roller bag
- Dad has had a fall and is currently barely mobile with a walker & pain meds. X-rays show no breaks but he refuses to get an MRI.
- Both parents are experienced travelers but are also kind of stubborn. Don't want to ask for help, check bags, etc. (We're working on that.)
Question to the braintrust is about what the best options are to get them home safely and at least somewhat comfortably? We will contact UA to set up wheelchair service and figure out transfer assistance at SFO. I will find a way to book a car service for them in Singapore to handle their bags and get them to the airport. We will do everything we can to get them to check bags and carry as little as possible. Back in ATL we will of course collect them from the first possible landside point. I may be able to get to SFO to escort them the rest of the way back to ATL, but going all the way to SIN appears cost prohibitive right now, and really it's the TPAC flight that will be the biggest hurdle.
What else can I consider or do? I don't have enough UA miles to matter. I do have a pile of Amex MR (~400k) and a slightly smaller pile of Chase UR (~100k) - would of course not want to blow all of them, but if there's a reasonable way to get them into a PE or J product for either points or cash, I would consider it (even if it means booking a new ticket on a different airline). I'm not sure how UA handles disability seating or if I as a 3rd party can at least buy them up into E+ or something. There's also a level of risk in any buy-ups since they could get to December 10th and decide they don't want to endure the flight at all (there's already been mention of finding a TPAC cruise to get back).
Sorry for the bit of a ramble. Their trip hasn't been the best for other reasons so we are just trying to figure out how to get them home as quickly/comfortably/safely as possible. Thanks in advance!
I flew from LAX-SFO-TLV-SFO in United Economy Plus. I called over to United Special Services and they upgraded me to United Economy Plus Bulkhead for free. They also requested the wheelchair due to my low vision and neuropathy
I flew down to LAX from SJC on Alaska to save money. My total ticket on Untied was $944.
The Phone agent was really helpful after explaining that I need extra legroom to prevent DVT due to my Neuropathy. I did not need a Doctor's note.
At TLV they brought me down via the Food Service Truck which doubles as the accessibility vehicle. The agent took me through the door that is located near customs. From plane to customs exit it was 20 minutes.
On the return i went to the Handicapped Waiting area at TLV and it was handled from there. I sat down while waiting for the wheelchair and then they took me through Customs then a cart to the Dan Lounge and another cart to the gate.
At SFO the Meet and Assist agent took me through customs and to the Customs Exit all within 25 minutes from Plane to Exit.
I always request the special services as not only am I eligible for it it has helped me on many occasions. When my Father is traveling as my companion they upgraded him too to sit next to me!
Delta has given me Comfort+ for no charge and Alaska has as well. If you call up the airline not in an entitled manner then they will bend over backwards for you. And yes I am always prepared to pay for the upgrade and do so if they cannot do it for me.
This past April I was connecting from a late arriving Iceland Air flight to an Alaska Air Flight at SEA to SFO. The Meet and Assist Agent took my Father and I through Customs to our plane going on two Air Trains in 1 hour and our flight was waiting for us. Our luggage even made the fight!
Its totally worth having lounge access too. Look at LoungeBuddy or Priority Pass!
I as a passenger with a disability will never go without lounge access
I hope your Father has a full recovery.
If you can fly to SFO and spend the night and meet your parents be sure to go to the Centruion Lounge its totally worth it!
BTW I am 34 and am a seasoned traveler both domestically and internationally. I would rather be in the sky than on a road trip!
Hope this helps.