Signs you'll have a good service experience with UA
Apr 24, 2018, 3:53 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
I wanted to start an alternate thread on signs you'll have a bad experience.....and my first entry would have been the opposite of this one.
In my experience, the words "London based flight crew" nearly always translate into bad or at least indifferent service. Even though I'm an Englishman, I much prefer the US-based flight crews.
In my experience, the words "London based flight crew" nearly always translate into bad or at least indifferent service. Even though I'm an Englishman, I much prefer the US-based flight crews.
Apr 24, 2018, 10:02 am
#21
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,235
Any one or more of the following:
- FA (on long-haul flight) recognizes you from the inbound flight
- The door closes and the seat next to you is unoccupied
- The plane starts to push back and it's T-10.
- The PDE new release movies are actually from 2018 (73x typically)
Apr 24, 2018, 11:44 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,318
- The PDB is served swiftly, they acknowledge and / or repeat your selection (rather than wandering off without saying a thing), and it's brought back without disdain for Economy passengers in the aisle.
- The FA's are organized, without showing signs of major stress, and you depart ahead of schedule
- The FA's have made an attempt at a great, professional appearance (and not a 1980's John Hughes film character).
- The FA's are organized, without showing signs of major stress, and you depart ahead of schedule
- The FA's have made an attempt at a great, professional appearance (and not a 1980's John Hughes film character).
Apr 24, 2018, 1:05 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: UA1K | *A Gold
Posts: 767
- When the FA and/or purser not only comes to greet you in your seat and recognize your status but actually introduce themselves (even in Y)
- When they keep you updated about the flight schedule through the flights (e.g. "We know some passengers will be connecting...")
I was sad to see UA discontinue many of the 5th freedom flights out of NRT and HKG because of this. Does anyone know what happened/will happen to those HKG/NRT based crews with the reduced flights? I hope at least some of them still got to keep their NRT/HKG flights.
Apr 24, 2018, 1:24 pm
#25
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: United Mileage Plus Premier
Posts: 781
We are not 1K, just a couple who are Gold and Silver but when I called the Premier line last week the nice lady actually listened to what I was asking about, double checked with her supervisor and got everything done that I wanted done. Bought up to J from E on a LHR to EWR flight with no change fee, canceled our MUA for that segment and got use full refunds on the co-pay, the Queen's taxes on the upgrade and the miles and it all posted back within a few days. I am still in shock....
Feb 1, 2019, 11:32 am
#27
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,915
I'd just settled into my seat and heard over my shoulder "is that a FlyerTalk tag?" Turned around and recognized @fezzington from the FFG IAD mini DO last summer 
Feb 1, 2019, 11:33 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,406
I can't beat that, but I did board to pairs of napkins set out on the center console in anticipation of PDB, plus wrapped earbuds and blankets on every seat. Sure enough, it was a good crew.
Feb 1, 2019, 11:51 am
#29
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Florida
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Gold
Posts: 673
+1 - I encountered the same thing twice in 2019. As you said, both flights were fantastic/way above average from a service perspective.
Feb 2, 2019, 1:06 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 66
A welcome as you board the aircraft.
Coats hung up without asking.
Smiles.
Interaction rather than robotic service.
Please and thank you.
Pleasant, normal speaking tone PA announcements.
Gently closing overheads rather than slamming them shut.
Classic pmUA details (and these could have come from the Pan Am flight attendants that came to UA with the Pacific Division purchase):
When the FA would artfully wrap the soap dispenser in the 1st class lav in a white cloth napkin.
When the napkin under your drink/ramekin/sundae dish was folded into a triangle.
Small details that are hints of FAs who love their jobs and you are likely in for a good flight.
Coats hung up without asking.
Smiles.
Interaction rather than robotic service.
Please and thank you.
Pleasant, normal speaking tone PA announcements.
Gently closing overheads rather than slamming them shut.
Classic pmUA details (and these could have come from the Pan Am flight attendants that came to UA with the Pacific Division purchase):
When the FA would artfully wrap the soap dispenser in the 1st class lav in a white cloth napkin.
When the napkin under your drink/ramekin/sundae dish was folded into a triangle.
Small details that are hints of FAs who love their jobs and you are likely in for a good flight.