Shareholder

Why all the consternation? Any FFer worth his or her salt will have purchased their ticket on a cc that offers flight interruption insurance which will cover the cost of a hotel in such cases. It is utter folly today to expect airlines to pick up all these costs during an IROP particularly when you're traveling on a discounted fare. And if you're a 1K chances are your employer is paying and can cover the cost of the hotel night...at both ends (including any room booked at the arrival end should it not be cancelable).

kcblakely

I wouldn't think it's folly at all, if that's what the COC says they will do. 'Course, that doesn't apply in this case, since it was a weather delay and (as others have pointed out) there's no established benefit.

channa

huh? AA does it for EXP and DL does it for SkyPriority (Gold and up).

nov11

I have been 1K for 3-4 years now and I paid for all my trips except for 1 trans-con trip that was paid for by my employer.

MBS MillionMiler

Or when you are your employer, like in my case.

That being said, one month ago, flew into ORD heading home. The last ORD-MBS went WX about 4PM (for a 5PM departure). Walked up to the RCC agent, who knew the flight I was on just canceled...I asked, "Can you rebook me for tomorrow morning, and are there any rooms left at the Hilton next door?" 12 minutes later, I was in my room across the street and the food voucher paid for 3/4 of my room service bill. No muss, no fuss...And I was on an award ticket (XF to ORD, then XY to MBS).

I've NEVER been so much as even questioned when it came to getting a hotel room when there's a weather-related cancellation...And I've spent probably 5 nights in the last year and a half at the ORD Hilton on UA's dime. The agents were always accommodating, quick to issue vouchers and very sympathetic with my unplanned extra night away.

Here's hoping this doesn't go away and become another change Jeff thinks I'll like.

GTHCGTH

Just had weather delay that would have caused too close of connection at IAD (would have made it since connection delayed too), but asked for a last second reroute through ORD and to a separate destination in the morning. Upgraded on both legs (booked into Y), and ORD staff didn't ask any questions and got the voucher ready within seconds. ^^^ United.

Without question one of the two or three best perks of being 1k, and if it sticks in the new United all the more reason to gun for it again for 2012.

catocony

I had a tight connection at IAD (my home airport but just dropping in going from one place to another) for tomorrow night, and I called into the 1K desk to see what my options would be if my first flight was late getting in. This was just to see if they would put me on a very late Continental flight. The 1K desk's answer? "Sure, or we would just give you a hotel and put you on the first flight Monday morning".

I was under the impression that 1Ks still got some benefits like hotel rooms and food vouchers. Plus cab rides if you're diverted to a different airport in the same market (like from DCA to IAD or LGA to JFK).

azepine00

Even for wx reasons? I didn't realize that.

c1mth0g

I did get at hotel room and voucher for a WX misconnect in March.

N1120A

1) Count me in as another one of those 1Ks who's employer both pays and doesn't pay - because I'm self-employed and most of my travel is non-work related.

2) Going through the hassle of making a travel insurance claim shouldn't be necessary when the airline can cheaply make things right for its most loyal flyers. There is no folly in this expectation.

I think the problem you had is the CO metal. You have to go to CO to deal with that issue.

Someone pulled up the computer codes regarding this - it sure looked automatic to me.

rch4u

Nope - dependent on airport management, as much as some might want to disagree.

smellyplane

I was reading this month's InsideFlyer magazine.... and noticed someone writing about getting freel hotel rooms as UA 1K member, even if the flight delay/cancellation was due to weather problems.

I was 1K from 2007 to 2010. There were 3 or 4 times that my flight was cancelled and I ended up paying for my own hotel room. (at ORD, IAD, LAX) The UA airport agents didn't give me any free hotel vouchers.... did I get cheated?

uastarflyer

Yes you did

RichardInSF

Yes and no. UA hardly ever volunteers free hotel rooms. That's because most staff aren't aware that this benefit exists. So while you should have gotten a free room, it's very possible it wasn't done out of malice, but rather management's (intentional?) choice not to promote knowledge of this benefit among staff.

Now the next question is whether you would have wanted to stay at the hotel that United would have found for you!

lax2010

If should have got your free hotels if you didn't ex from those airports you quoted for your trips!