Is it rude to use premier benefits?
Aug 27, 2018, 3:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
Is it rude to use premier benefits?
i was flying out of HPN today and they only had 1 agent working the desk. I was checking a bag due to how small the plane is and no checked bag fitting.
therr was a giant line behind the one agent as they were helping an unaccompanied minor. I lined up in the signed premier line. Once the agent was done with them there was a long line in the Standard line and 2 people in premier. She let me go first and everyone was pissed in the other line.
is it wrong to use this advertised benefit in a small airport?
i took less than 3min to check my bags and was on my way.
Thiughts?
therr was a giant line behind the one agent as they were helping an unaccompanied minor. I lined up in the signed premier line. Once the agent was done with them there was a long line in the Standard line and 2 people in premier. She let me go first and everyone was pissed in the other line.
is it wrong to use this advertised benefit in a small airport?
i took less than 3min to check my bags and was on my way.
Thiughts?
Aug 27, 2018, 3:12 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,575
Not rude at all. In fact, this sounds like a situation where even lowly Silver status has real value. If United marked out the Premier line at that small airport, then they're inviting their Premier members to use it.
Using the Premier line without meeting the criteria to use it would, of course, be rude. But I'm assuming you do have the status.
Using the Premier line without meeting the criteria to use it would, of course, be rude. But I'm assuming you do have the status.
Aug 27, 2018, 3:18 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
When this has happened to me at AVP, I have just shrugged my shoulders and said "I fly United a lot, so I get to use the express lane." I do feel awkward, but a little explanation does go a long way.
Aug 27, 2018, 3:19 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: West
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 221
i was flying out of HPN today and they only had 1 agent working the desk. I was checking a bag due to how small the plane is and no checked bag fitting.
therr was a giant line behind the one agent as they were helping an unaccompanied minor. I lined up in the signed premier line. Once the agent was done with them there was a long line in the Standard line and 2 people in premier. She let me go first and everyone was pissed in the other line.
is it wrong to use this advertised benefit in a small airport?
i took less than 3min to check my bags and was on my way.
Thiughts?
therr was a giant line behind the one agent as they were helping an unaccompanied minor. I lined up in the signed premier line. Once the agent was done with them there was a long line in the Standard line and 2 people in premier. She let me go first and everyone was pissed in the other line.
is it wrong to use this advertised benefit in a small airport?
i took less than 3min to check my bags and was on my way.
Thiughts?
But no, nothing wrong with what you did.
Aug 27, 2018, 3:24 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Size of the airport does not matter. You lined up in the correct line according to your status. The check-in agent made a sign for you to approach the desk. You did. End of story.
It happened to my wife in the small airport at our former location. But, then, the first passenger on the standard line started shouting. In the gate area 20 minutes later, he was still loud telling my wife that she was wrong to have passed ahead of him. According to him, when my wife saw that there were passengers in a line, she should have put herself at the end of that line and not in the next line. The good news is that there was a First Class in that plane and my wife had a seat in that area. Imagine if she had had the bad luck of sitting next to that passenger: would have been a miserable 50 minutes flight.
It happened to my wife in the small airport at our former location. But, then, the first passenger on the standard line started shouting. In the gate area 20 minutes later, he was still loud telling my wife that she was wrong to have passed ahead of him. According to him, when my wife saw that there were passengers in a line, she should have put herself at the end of that line and not in the next line. The good news is that there was a First Class in that plane and my wife had a seat in that area. Imagine if she had had the bad luck of sitting next to that passenger: would have been a miserable 50 minutes flight.
Aug 27, 2018, 3:27 pm
#9
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Size of the airport does not matter. You lined up in the correct line according to your status. The check-in agent made a sign for you to approach the desk. You did. End of story.
It happened to my wife in the small airport at our former location. But, then, the first passenger on the standard line started shouting. In the gate area 20 minutes later, he was still loud telling my wife that she was wrong to have passed ahead of him. According to him, when my wife saw that there were passengers in a line, she should have put herself at the end of that line and not in the next line. The good news is that there was a First Class in that plane and my wife had a seat in that area. Imagine if she had had the bad luck of sitting next to that passenger: would have been a miserable 50 minutes flight.
It happened to my wife in the small airport at our former location. But, then, the first passenger on the standard line started shouting. In the gate area 20 minutes later, he was still loud telling my wife that she was wrong to have passed ahead of him. According to him, when my wife saw that there were passengers in a line, she should have put herself at the end of that line and not in the next line. The good news is that there was a First Class in that plane and my wife had a seat in that area. Imagine if she had had the bad luck of sitting next to that passenger: would have been a miserable 50 minutes flight.
Aug 27, 2018, 3:32 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 343
Indeed. I used to go to ABE a couple times a year as a Silver and was often one of a very few using the Premier lanes. Even more, at least one time I think I was the only Premier on a flight to ORD. That is the only time I have been the first person to board.
Aug 27, 2018, 3:34 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: In between IAD and DCA
Programs: UA Plat 1.1MM , Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,262
Nope. Don't feel bad. You deserve your benefits due to your loyalty to UA.
It does feel a bit awkward at times though, I understand how you feel. The funniest is when you're at a small airport and they call GS or Group 1 and you're the only one lol.
It does feel a bit awkward at times though, I understand how you feel. The funniest is when you're at a small airport and they call GS or Group 1 and you're the only one lol.
Aug 27, 2018, 3:57 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
In contrast there are times when I am giving "the look" to the non-Premier lines.
The issue at SAN (when Dan is not working) is that it is often quicker to use the non-Premier line. A couple of times I have missed the check-in luggage time even though I have been there 15 minutes before the deadline and been told I should know better than to arrive "only 60 minutes" before the flight "since I travel so often". I try and avoid that particular agent now as she obviously has an issue with passangers with status. I am not the only one who got a telling off (the guy in front of me also got told off for just missing the deadline and argued his point that he had been waiting in line for 20 minutes before the cut-off - bizarrely she was helping someone on a Basic Economy ticket who had luggage and was arguing about the luggage fees.
So use the Premier line all you want if you are entitled to use it, and ignore the looks of the others.
The issue at SAN (when Dan is not working) is that it is often quicker to use the non-Premier line. A couple of times I have missed the check-in luggage time even though I have been there 15 minutes before the deadline and been told I should know better than to arrive "only 60 minutes" before the flight "since I travel so often". I try and avoid that particular agent now as she obviously has an issue with passangers with status. I am not the only one who got a telling off (the guy in front of me also got told off for just missing the deadline and argued his point that he had been waiting in line for 20 minutes before the cut-off - bizarrely she was helping someone on a Basic Economy ticket who had luggage and was arguing about the luggage fees.
So use the Premier line all you want if you are entitled to use it, and ignore the looks of the others.
Aug 27, 2018, 4:02 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
1. Nothing wrong with using the Premier line. UA chooses to offer it to you and it is yours to accept.
2. Do not engage other people who want to engage in such debates. You don't owe them an explanation. If they wish to address the matter with UA they are free to do so. The world is full of all kinds of nuts and you have no idea what some whacko will do over less than nothing.
In the case of the other passenger berating you, bring it to an agent or a law enforcement officer's attention. This has nothing to do with who uses what lane and everything to do with your ability to move unimpeded through an airport.
2. Do not engage other people who want to engage in such debates. You don't owe them an explanation. If they wish to address the matter with UA they are free to do so. The world is full of all kinds of nuts and you have no idea what some whacko will do over less than nothing.
In the case of the other passenger berating you, bring it to an agent or a law enforcement officer's attention. This has nothing to do with who uses what lane and everything to do with your ability to move unimpeded through an airport.
Aug 27, 2018, 4:08 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Not rude at all. Just one of those times where elite status had some real value!
Avis Preferred once saved me at least a half hour (but probably more) when an understaffed off airport location was slammed labor day weekend. While me and the woman in front of us were helped, the general line didn't move once as someone with a priceline reservation was having issuesm
Avis Preferred once saved me at least a half hour (but probably more) when an understaffed off airport location was slammed labor day weekend. While me and the woman in front of us were helped, the general line didn't move once as someone with a priceline reservation was having issuesm