Statement about $150 change fee. Yes Virginia, there is a
Dec 12, 2008, 9:03 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,077
Statement about $150 change fee. Yes Virginia, there is a
... work around.
My meeting schedule was cut back a day. When I called UA to ask about a schedule change, they told me it was possible; but as a Premier Exec, I had to pay $150.
When I checked www.kayak.com, I saw other airlines had lower 1 way fares back home, and by lower I mean less than the $150 UA wanted to charge me.
I almost pulled the trigger on a 1 way USAirways ticket (allowing me to get UA miles), but I delayed.
Earlier in the week I called back to see if UA would wave the $150 change fee.
Several years ago, I was tutored by a Flyertalker on how to deal with bump situations. It's all about asking.
So since UA wouldn't wave the fee, I asked the ICC agent if he would deposit a CR1 or some e-500's into my account. He said no. Just as I was about to hang up and book my USAir ticket, he responded that he could give me a $150 voucher.
Just about made my day.
So my advice... you have nothing to lose by asking for a work around.
I can't believe I'm typing this but, the ICC rocks.
My meeting schedule was cut back a day. When I called UA to ask about a schedule change, they told me it was possible; but as a Premier Exec, I had to pay $150.
When I checked www.kayak.com, I saw other airlines had lower 1 way fares back home, and by lower I mean less than the $150 UA wanted to charge me.
I almost pulled the trigger on a 1 way USAirways ticket (allowing me to get UA miles), but I delayed.
Earlier in the week I called back to see if UA would wave the $150 change fee.
Several years ago, I was tutored by a Flyertalker on how to deal with bump situations. It's all about asking.
So since UA wouldn't wave the fee, I asked the ICC agent if he would deposit a CR1 or some e-500's into my account. He said no. Just as I was about to hang up and book my USAir ticket, he responded that he could give me a $150 voucher.
Just about made my day.
So my advice... you have nothing to lose by asking for a work around.
I can't believe I'm typing this but, the ICC rocks.
Dec 12, 2008, 9:11 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ravens Country
Programs: UA-1K, Marriott-Gold, SPG-Gold, IC RA/Plat, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,887
Do you know if there was a schedule change??
It is great that for UA not waiving a change fee they would give you compensation.
It is great that for UA not waiving a change fee they would give you compensation.
Dec 12, 2008, 9:43 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,077
No change.
Dec 13, 2008, 12:52 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA Platinum MM; DL Silver; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Hilton Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 24,249
There is an even better and vastly more reliable work-around to airline change fees: it's called "Southwest Airlines."
Good job on talking the customer service rep into a voucher though.
Good job on talking the customer service rep into a voucher though.
Dec 13, 2008, 4:11 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ramstein, Germany
Posts: 60
They're not even worth the low price (which are often times the same as the Legacies or more expensive I've found)
But to each their own I guess...
Dec 13, 2008, 6:17 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,753
I'm hardly a Southwest cheerleader, but I recently flew them SFO-RNO-SFO because I couldn't justify UA's fare premium. Their current boarding process was organized, disciplined and everyone behaved like an adult. Comparing that to a recent SFO-ORD, Friday at 4:30PM departure, where there was simply a cluster of 1K, 1P, 2P, 3P, pushing and cutting in line and I would have preferred Southwest. The inflight crew on that flight were professional, courteous, and treated everyone like adults as well. Made me willing to consider them for future short haul travel.
Dec 13, 2008, 7:02 am
#7
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 14,257
Southwest Airlines is a joke and a mess of an airline. The times I have flown Southwest have simply been awful and extremely unpleasant. Their boarding process is rediculous, they're GAs and FAs appearance and attitudes are unprofessional and the airline overall is simply over-rated.
They're not even worth the low price (which are often times the same as the Legacies or more expensive I've found)
But to each their own I guess...
They're not even worth the low price (which are often times the same as the Legacies or more expensive I've found)
But to each their own I guess...
As a 1K, I obviously show my loyalty to United. But calling WN a joke of an airline is crazy. They are probably the best run airline in the US.
Dec 13, 2008, 7:14 am
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT/CNX
Programs: UA dirt... and btw, THE innovator of the phrase 'gate lice'. Yeah, that's right.
Posts: 2,874
Southwest Airlines is a joke and a mess of an airline. The times I have flown Southwest have simply been awful and extremely unpleasant. Their boarding process is rediculous, they're GAs and FAs appearance and attitudes are unprofessional and the airline overall is simply over-rated.
They're not even worth the low price (which are often times the same as the Legacies or more expensive I've found)
But to each their own I guess...
They're not even worth the low price (which are often times the same as the Legacies or more expensive I've found)
But to each their own I guess...
Yeah, UA's boarding process isn't w/out it's glitches
I'm about sick and tired of fighting my way through the masses to board.
Dec 13, 2008, 1:29 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,297
Dec 13, 2008, 3:50 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Central Virginia
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,231
I too, am a United loyalist, but as a back up, Southwest can't be beat.