Downguage Call From UA Urging PAX To Stay Another Day
Dec 15, 2018, 1:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Connecticut
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 60
Downguage Call From UA Urging PAX To Stay Another Day
Strange occurrance..UA 362 downguaged 14 Dec from 767-400ER to -300ER. In talking with my traveling companions (all 1K) they were called and emailed by a very insistent UA rep on 13 Dec encouraging them to “stay another day, the weather is nicer in HNL than in EWR”. Clearly UA was trying to accommodate the downguage, but rather than auto protecting on other flights, or offering compensation they used the hard sell. As such, none of those called took the “offer” and as it turns out there was a re-upgauge to the -400 so it wasn’t needed anyway. Lots of where’s my new old seat now questions. That was fun. To add additional insult to this, the gate agent came on board into First soliciting anyone to voluntarily move to a non functioning First seat to accommodate a woman who didn’t want to sit there. Needless to say..no takers on that “offer” either. Then the gate agent went around individually asking people if they were traveling alone and would they voluntarily move to the dead seat. Umm no..the reactions from people were classic though. But seriously, is this really how any of this is going to be done in the future in similar situations, or was this just a one off thing? Thoughts?
Dec 15, 2018, 1:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Strange occurrance..UA 362 downguaged 14 Dec from 767-400ER to -300ER. In talking with my traveling companions (all 1K) they were called and emailed by a very insistent UA rep on 13 Dec encouraging them to “stay another day, the weather is nicer in HNL than in EWR”. Thoughts?
As far as protecting on other flights, given we are in year 6 in a row of record tourism, there simply may not have been decent options - the flights are generally always full.
Dec 15, 2018, 1:58 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
... the gate agent came on board into First soliciting anyone to voluntarily move to a non functioning First seat to accommodate a woman who didn’t want to sit there. Needless to say..no takers on that “offer” either. Then the gate agent went around individually asking people if they were traveling alone and would they voluntarily move to the dead seat. Umm no..the reactions from people were classic though. But seriously, is this really how any of this is going to be done in the future in similar situations, or was this just a one off thing? Thoughts?
In similar situations where I have been the last person to be upgraded they have downgraded me and given me an ETC.
Dec 15, 2018, 2:04 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Connecticut
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 60
No $$$ or other compensation offer at all. Just move. Some of the reactions to the request were quite interesting.
Dec 15, 2018, 2:18 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
I have not seen as many offers lately from United for taking later flights. It will be interesting to see what happens over the holidays with oversold flights and mx issues.
I too would have been unhappy if I had been the person on the inoperable FC seat so hopefully the pax receives compensation.
Dec 15, 2018, 2:27 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Houston Texas USA
Programs: UA Gold MM, SWA A-List
Posts: 150
Dec 15, 2018, 4:14 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
Dec 15, 2018, 5:25 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Rapid Rewards, AAdvantage, SkyMiles
Posts: 2,931
Dec 15, 2018, 8:49 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
How this call gets translated to the wife/boss:
"United called and told me they were moving me to tomorrow's flight due to an equipment problem. There was nothing I could do."
"United called and told me they were moving me to tomorrow's flight due to an equipment problem. There was nothing I could do."
Dec 15, 2018, 9:09 pm
#12
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
If they were paying for the extra night in the HNL hotel, I'd have at least considered it. But I'm sure that wasn't the offer.
And a big old 'what the ... are they thinking?' at trying to get someone to swap to a non functioning seat.
And a big old 'what the ... are they thinking?' at trying to get someone to swap to a non functioning seat.
Last edited by Gig103; Dec 15, 2018 at 9:14 pm