E+ for CO elites is live!
#106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,606
The TSA and United employees called her an Air-Serv employee. She was really nasty and was at the VIP line when it goes in the ropes before you reach an actual TSA agent. The United Red Carpet staff were sincerely apologetic, but said they have no control over the Air-Serv contractor people. But everyone agreed it was United Management that hires and Air-Serv and tells them what to do.
#107
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: UA 1k, UA MM, MB Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Accor Plat (ha ha), Hertz Pres, etc.
Posts: 239
I tried this morning (8:35a CT) and could not. I then called and was told I had to buy it. After insisting he was wrong, politely, I got an economy plus seat. When I checked-in, I was able to choose any e+ seat.
But, it did not upgrade me to first. Instead the site tried to sell me an upgrade. I thought it was all being activated today?
So, I called again, CS referred me to web support who told me I still had to make the request at the airport. So, I asked for the Elite desk number and called there. After about 10 more minutes with them, they said the same thing - ask at the airport.
So, it looks like they'll still be selling them to non-elites before offering them to CO elites until mid-October (at least that's what the UA elite desk told me).
But, it did not upgrade me to first. Instead the site tried to sell me an upgrade. I thought it was all being activated today?
So, I called again, CS referred me to web support who told me I still had to make the request at the airport. So, I asked for the Elite desk number and called there. After about 10 more minutes with them, they said the same thing - ask at the airport.
So, it looks like they'll still be selling them to non-elites before offering them to CO elites until mid-October (at least that's what the UA elite desk told me).
I pressed her, she made a couple of calls and then said I was on the waitlist. Another agent showed-up and put me in First.
This was in Chicago..I realize it's early, but my initial experiences with UA customer service personnel have been less than stellar, aside from RCC personnel. I'm hoping the winds of change will bring improvements.
Last edited by AustinBear; Oct 5, 2010 at 1:41 pm Reason: typo
#108
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Hilton Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 1,266
Upgraded!
Was on UA #819 (EWR-ORD) this AM with my CO OP number and *G status (with CO). Already had secured E+ seat.
At check-in I asked to be added to FC Standby list. At gate, my name was called for last FC seat. Sorta like this so far...
At check-in I asked to be added to FC Standby list. At gate, my name was called for last FC seat. Sorta like this so far...
#109
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Between EWR & PHL
Programs: UA MileagePlus dirt (former hard-way Silver); AS Mileage Plan MVP; Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 1,586
Update to my earlier post: UA.com still wants $49 per leg to move to E+ for my EWR-DEN itinerary at the end of the month. Gambled and called the domestic reservations line (a/k/a India) this afternoon, identified myself as a CO elite (didn't mention level) and requested 9A on both my outbound and return. Had the seats in 5 minutes, and the reservation was updated online immediately. (I'm sure it helped that E+ was relatively empty, but hey, I'll take it.)
#110
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSN
Programs: UA Gold, SPG Lifetime Gold
Posts: 210
Update to my earlier post: UA.com still wants $49 per leg to move to E+ for my EWR-DEN itinerary at the end of the month. Gambled and called the domestic reservations line (a/k/a India) this afternoon, identified myself as a CO elite (didn't mention level) and requested 9A on both my outbound and return. Had the seats in 5 minutes, and the reservation was updated online immediately. (I'm sure it helped that E+ was relatively empty, but hey, I'll take it.)
Also, I don't recall seeing a reply to a question about calling to get exit row seats. Anybody had luck with that?
Thanks.
#111
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Mariott, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 305
Just curious, when you got into your reservation now does the website still show wanting the $$ for moving to E+? I have an upcoming trip to DCA and called to get E+ (which I got), but when I go to the website it looks like they are wanting to still charge me for it.
Also, I don't recall seeing a reply to a question about calling to get exit row seats. Anybody had luck with that?
Thanks.
Also, I don't recall seeing a reply to a question about calling to get exit row seats. Anybody had luck with that?
Thanks.
On a side note, "Benny" in the ICC was nice, but the whole thing took 20 minutes for something that could have taken 3 minutes w/ a US agent (based on prior experience requesting that same thing), or 6 clicks with a mouse if the website was updated...
#112
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Between EWR & PHL
Programs: UA MileagePlus dirt (former hard-way Silver); AS Mileage Plan MVP; Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 1,586
Just curious, when you got into your reservation now does the website still show wanting the $$ for moving to E+? I have an upcoming trip to DCA and called to get E+ (which I got), but when I go to the website it looks like they are wanting to still charge me for it.
Also, I don't recall seeing a reply to a question about calling to get exit row seats. Anybody had luck with that?
Thanks.
Also, I don't recall seeing a reply to a question about calling to get exit row seats. Anybody had luck with that?
Thanks.
#113
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX, ONT
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 21
Just called UA reservations for an itinerary for the end of the month. Booked on CO with CO codeshare, but UA flights. Neither the CO.com or UA.com would show the seat map. CO said to call UA. UA said to contact the codeshare airline. Called UA res and was told that the system was still being worked on, but he put me into E+ seats anyway. I guess I'll see later this month whether I am put on the first class list...
#114
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CLE
Programs: CO Gold - 1MM, IC Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,644
Pleasant experience
I have tried .bomb and their call centers over the last 60 days 3 times, swore I would never try it again.
So....tonight I book a trip CLE-SEA, I decide to try the codeshare outbound on UA return on a CO red eye through IAH with upgradeable B fares.
I book the flights but do not upgrade the flights to FC due to what would show on my e-ticket receipt. I call the PLAT line after receiving the receipt via email, they UG me with NP. I ask the agent if he can help me with getting seats on UA and briefly explain my frustration with their call lines to India....He says that he can try to transfer me to their elite line....60 seconds later...Wallah...I am talking to a UA rep in the US with a southern accent and a great sense of humor!!!!! Placed in E+ 2 weeks out. What a pleasant relief after having such poor UA CS and www problems over the last few weeks.
Maybe CO and UA Should send their elites the opposing Elite Line Phone Numbers to ease the transition?
So....tonight I book a trip CLE-SEA, I decide to try the codeshare outbound on UA return on a CO red eye through IAH with upgradeable B fares.
I book the flights but do not upgrade the flights to FC due to what would show on my e-ticket receipt. I call the PLAT line after receiving the receipt via email, they UG me with NP. I ask the agent if he can help me with getting seats on UA and briefly explain my frustration with their call lines to India....He says that he can try to transfer me to their elite line....60 seconds later...Wallah...I am talking to a UA rep in the US with a southern accent and a great sense of humor!!!!! Placed in E+ 2 weeks out. What a pleasant relief after having such poor UA CS and www problems over the last few weeks.
Maybe CO and UA Should send their elites the opposing Elite Line Phone Numbers to ease the transition?
#115
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: East Coast
Programs: UA 1k & MillM
Posts: 563
Upgrade... pending?
I just made a new reservation on united.com using my onepass number... for travel in January.
As many of you know the website still wants to charge for E+, so I picked E seats.
Then I went back at checke my reservation 20min later. For the two segments with E+ and F seating... it now reads:
Seats:
Flight: Confirmed
Upgrade: Pending
23D
and similar for the second segment (13D instead of 23D).
What does this "Upgrade Pending" notice mean? Have anyone seen it before? One could hope that it means that the system automatically will put me on the upgrade list.
As many of you know the website still wants to charge for E+, so I picked E seats.
Then I went back at checke my reservation 20min later. For the two segments with E+ and F seating... it now reads:
Seats:
Flight: Confirmed
Upgrade: Pending
23D
and similar for the second segment (13D instead of 23D).
What does this "Upgrade Pending" notice mean? Have anyone seen it before? One could hope that it means that the system automatically will put me on the upgrade list.
#116
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
I just made a new reservation on united.com using my onepass number... for travel in January.
As many of you know the website still wants to charge for E+, so I picked E seats.
Then I went back at checke my reservation 20min later. For the two segments with E+ and F seating... it now reads:
Seats:
Flight: Confirmed
Upgrade: Pending
23D
and similar for the second segment (13D instead of 23D).
What does this "Upgrade Pending" notice mean? Have anyone seen it before? One could hope that it means that the system automatically will put me on the upgrade list.
As many of you know the website still wants to charge for E+, so I picked E seats.
Then I went back at checke my reservation 20min later. For the two segments with E+ and F seating... it now reads:
Seats:
Flight: Confirmed
Upgrade: Pending
23D
and similar for the second segment (13D instead of 23D).
What does this "Upgrade Pending" notice mean? Have anyone seen it before? One could hope that it means that the system automatically will put me on the upgrade list.
#117
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,243
Another data point for the discussion: booked a UA flight LGA-ORD-LGA yesterday, during the res process E+ was shown as $39 / segment, no E- seats available on one of the segments (often the case on this route, I've seen).
Website told me a seat would be assigned at the airport (also normal). However I checked back 2min later at the reservation and saw that I'd been assigned an E+ seat.
Called the UA res line and was able to get a different E+ seat on this leg (wanted window vs. aisle) and E+ on the return, took 2min and didn't have to mention my CO status - the agent mentioned that he could see it.
Now I'll have to see what happens with upgrades
Website told me a seat would be assigned at the airport (also normal). However I checked back 2min later at the reservation and saw that I'd been assigned an E+ seat.
Called the UA res line and was able to get a different E+ seat on this leg (wanted window vs. aisle) and E+ on the return, took 2min and didn't have to mention my CO status - the agent mentioned that he could see it.
Now I'll have to see what happens with upgrades
#118
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: TX
Programs: UA mm, Marriott PLT, Hilton Dia
Posts: 580
Earlier in this thread, I moaned about having to make four calls before I got an english speaking CSR who assigned me to E+ seats. This week I flew the flights but did not get to sit in E+ either way. They upgraded to first on both flights. I just asked the GA to "manually" enter me on the upgrade list. As soon as he did, I showed up as number 1 on the list. Feeling pretty good, I got on the airplane and someone was sitting in my seat. When I told him it was my seat, he said he preferred it over the one he was assigned. Fortunately, all I had to say was "sorry, but I want that seat" and he moved without fuss. If he hadn't just stolen it, I would have probably been willing to trade if he asked since I was in a good mood. Just taking the seat won't work with me.
#119
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Programs: Bonvoy LTT, Hyatt Exp, AA 1MM, UA Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 970
Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but this is still an issue. Called in twice today looking for a CSR who could understand that a CO Plat is eligible for E+. Both times the agents insisted that I had to pay for E+, and the second argued with me when I asked for a supervisor (I hung up after waiting on hold awhile for the first agent's supervisor). In the end the second agent did figure out that she was mistaken, but I then had to prompt for the upgrade to be submitted as well.
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but this is still an issue. Called in twice today looking for a CSR who could understand that a CO Plat is eligible for E+. Both times the agents insisted that I had to pay for E+, and the second argued with me when I asked for a supervisor (I hung up after waiting on hold awhile for the first agent's supervisor). In the end the second agent did figure out that she was mistaken, but I then had to prompt for the upgrade to be submitted as well.