Asking for specific hotel during MX IRROPS?
#16
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1K, *wood LT Plat
Posts: 825
Fortunately it has been awhile since I had to overnight, but a couple years ago they gave me a voucher for some no-name hotel not close to the airport. The voucher had a credit card, ccv, and expiration date, which a nearby Westin was happy to apply as partial payment. I think I then paid for the balance.
#17
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,236
In locations with a UC, I wonder if UA has considered paying their staff overtime to keep the Club open all night? It might save money if there are enough people who don't want to leave the airport vs paying hotels to take them. I had a flight finally cancel for WX at around 11pm with the rescheduled flight at 6am (and the nearest available hotel 30+ minutes away). With little time for sleep, I would have been happy to stay overnight in the Club if it hadn't closed. I realize overcrowding could be an issue, but it would be nice to have that option.
#19
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
My last forced overnight was at ORD in June. UA wanted to put me in a Holiday Inn Express in Schaumburg. I found space online at the in-terminal Hilton. They said it was sold out in their system. This is where trip delay insurance comes in handy. I stayed at the Hilton and Amex reimbursed in cash money.
#20
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
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In locations with a UC, I wonder if UA has considered paying their staff overtime to keep the Club open all night? It might save money if there are enough people who don't want to leave the airport vs paying hotels to take them. I had a flight finally cancel for WX at around 11pm with the rescheduled flight at 6am (and the nearest available hotel 30+ minutes away). With little time for sleep, I would have been happy to stay overnight in the Club if it hadn't closed. I realize overcrowding could be an issue, but it would be nice to have that option.
I've seen Delta keep the SkyClubs open all night at ATL. Thankfully, I haven't (yet) been in the middle of a United problem that was big enough that it would be considered/necessary.
#21
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,061
I have definitely asked (and was given) a specific hotel during irops. Never hurts to ask, but obviously there is no entitlement. Helps to know which hotels they usually book into and then suggest one of them to the agent.
#23
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Last I knew, UC staffers aren't United employees, but I believe the same is true for Delta, et al. One assumes the clubs can be kept open at an airline's request/direction.
I've seen Delta keep the SkyClubs open all night at ATL. Thankfully, I haven't (yet) been in the middle of a United problem that was big enough that it would be considered/necessary.
I've seen Delta keep the SkyClubs open all night at ATL. Thankfully, I haven't (yet) been in the middle of a United problem that was big enough that it would be considered/necessary.
I've certainly benefitted from DL SCs being kept open outrageously late during DL IROPs. I've also chosen to escape to the MSP Escape lounge (AmEX, formerly PP) during bad DL IROPs when the SC was just a zoo and I couldn't even get onto their internet and stay logged in for more than a minute or so.
OTOH, I wouldn't want to see an airline viewing an open lounge as an adequate substitute for the provision of hotel rooms.
OTOH, I wouldn't want to see an airline viewing an open lounge as an adequate substitute for the provision of hotel rooms.
#24
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
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The last time I got a hotel voucher, United paid something like $32 for the Hilton near IAD.
#25
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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I've never seen a report of someone earning points, qualifying stay, etc., from an airline-voucher hotel room, but some properties will extend elite benefits (e.g., free breakfast) as a courtesy.
The last time I got a hotel voucher, United paid something like $32 for the Hilton near IAD.
The last time I got a hotel voucher, United paid something like $32 for the Hilton near IAD.
Marriott IAD ... earned points and stay credit on a UA voucher
#26
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,462
I've never seen a report of someone earning points, qualifying stay, etc., from an airline-voucher hotel room, but some properties will extend elite benefits (e.g., free breakfast) as a courtesy.
The last time I got a hotel voucher, United paid something like $32 for the Hilton near IAD.
The last time I got a hotel voucher, United paid something like $32 for the Hilton near IAD.
#27
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
I was in MCO flying MCO-IAD-PHL on a very delayed MCO-IAD flight. The GA said "do you want to spend the night here or in IAD", I said I'll stay here. She offered me the first flight of the morning, I said "if it's that early, then I want to be in the aiport hotel (a hyatt)". She made a call and I got the room.
No on WX delays, the typically don't offer a hotel even though I'm 1K. Sometimes this is good since if you are 1K/GS, you just book the hotel you want then ask customer service for reimbursement. Now the hotels I typically stay at have rates on par with govt per diem rates and not super high end. I'm not sure if UA has a reimbursement limit. I figure even if they don't reimburse me, they'd probably still offer a voucher of similar value. Typically they do both, reimburse and provide a voucher.
No on WX delays, the typically don't offer a hotel even though I'm 1K. Sometimes this is good since if you are 1K/GS, you just book the hotel you want then ask customer service for reimbursement. Now the hotels I typically stay at have rates on par with govt per diem rates and not super high end. I'm not sure if UA has a reimbursement limit. I figure even if they don't reimburse me, they'd probably still offer a voucher of similar value. Typically they do both, reimburse and provide a voucher.
#28
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
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I guess a travel insurance's trip delay benefit (either via typical credit card or purchased separately) would cover a situation like this. For example, airline offers voucher for off-airport hotel, but there is availability at on-airport hotel. Decline voucher, stay at on-airport hotel, and utilize trip delay benefit to get reimbursed for on-airport hotel stay.
#29
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
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I guess a travel insurance's trip delay benefit (either via typical credit card or purchased separately) would cover a situation like this. For example, airline offers voucher for off-airport hotel, but there is availability at on-airport hotel. Decline voucher, stay at on-airport hotel, and utilize trip delay benefit to get reimbursed for on-airport hotel stay.
#30
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https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/fly-rights
Originally Posted by transportation.gov
Contrary to popular belief, for domestic itineraries airlines are not required to compensate passengers whose flights are delayed or canceled.