[JMMFairfax]

I've finally snapped.

The basics are: I spent 2300 on 4 tickets from SFO to ORF. Then had to change them to leave from LAX due to a death in the family. So they:

A) Won't offer bereavement fare
B) Won't waive the change fees of $600
C) Will change the entire ticket and add $400, so now I've put in $3,300 for these tickets
D) They won't give me seats in Eco Plus because I'm the only premier in the group. (I'm Premier Exec this year, but have been 1K previously, too.) So, they intend to seat me and my kids, in middle seats for a red-eye across the country, when I've paid more than $3,300 on these seats.
E) There were 26 open seats in Economy Plus! 26!!!

E) I asked Ms. Banks, the Sales Mgr, if they really mean to discourage a family from flying together, she finally says, "Yes, that's what it means."
Nice customer service! While I was obviously upset, I didn't yell, I didn't swear, I wasn't rude.


I just wanted seats together in economy plus, when I've paid that much for my stupid tickets.


I'm done with them. I've flown more than 600k miles with them, which means that I've paid them way more than $100K in lifetime revenue.

I used to be the absolute best customer for them. Not anymore. They've screwed me and my family over for the last time.

I'm also going to try and get my company (600 employees) to drop our corporate contract with them. Maybe that will hurt to lose an account that pays them millions per year.

[Corbel]

first of all you dont loose your status, therefore, i dont really believe you were a 1k member. once your 1k, your always 1k, i used to work at united and asked my supervisor that. if your not at least a member of the frequent flyer program you dont sit in economy plus. if you sign up everybody in the family for the program then at check in it will ask (if seats are available) if you would like to upgrade for a certain fee? premier, premier execs and 1k get upgraded for free, if space is available. and across country in a middle seat?? have you ever sat in a middle seat in the middle row for 21 hours? once you do then you can complain about 4 hours in a middle seat? nobody likes the middle, but someone on a full flight has to sit there right? and you paid for A seat not certain seats. try to get seats together in regular coach, i know its not the best but is the extra 5 inches of leg room, something thats going to make you miserable when its only the fact you want your family to sit together? check in online and early, if you cant get seats together, when you get to the gate see what they can do for you.

[JMMFairfax]

Now THAT is priceless. Leave it to an Airline Employee to attack the credibility of the customer. Perfect. My point is proven.

As for your points:

A) I am Premier Exec right now, because I flew more than 50K miles last year.
B) You DO lose 1K status if you don't achieve 1K status each year. Your status expires on March 1, 14 months after the year you achieved your status. Read your manual, know your rules.
C) The flight time from LAX to IAD is 5 hours not four.
D) I have sat middle for 21 hours. LAX to Sydney.
E) I'm flying with 2 kids and a spouse on red-eye. I'd like them to sit together.
F) I don't expect to be treated any differently at the counter when I ask to be seated together, as a premier exec, and they give me 4 middles in the back, and a big, insincere, "I'm sorry there's nothing I can do." BS.

I'm bitching about the policy of only allowing one companion into EcoPlus when you're a premier member. It discourages families to travel together. Even the snotty manager, Ms. Banks, agreed.

I'm complaining because I have special circumstances that include the death of my kids' grandmother, $600 in non-recoverable fees, $2,700 in plane tickets, and no seat assignments.

I'm complaining because I am a long time, high revenue, loyal customer with some degree of status. I know Premier Exec means nothing to United, I know I mean nothing to United.

Go back and check your facts with your manager before you attack a customer again.

Thank You for proving my point exactly!

[Leatherboy2006]

I have to say I agree with the policy of not allowing family members to move to ECO plus, as someone without kids I have been on several flights were they did do this and I got stuck with someone's bratty kid sitting behind me, because mommy or daddy got them there with the Premier status. Hard to get work done for a meeting under this. I am really getting tired of people with kids making us all pay because they chose to have kids. tire of hearing "But i have kids" Hello I didnt tell you to have kids and don't want to put up with them or parents.
Speaking for all people who would like to enjoy a movie, meal or flight without screaming yelling kids

[JMMFairfax]

I appreciate that particular perspective. I hate other people's kids, too. It's basically bad parenting.

Speaking of parents, be sure to thank your own for choosing to have you. Of course, I make the assumption that your parents did make a choice.

Again, I'm talking about a red-eye, so you'd likely be sleeping. My kids are older than you assume. They have traveled a lot. They own ipods. But they are girls, and I'd prefer that they sit next to me, rather than creepy guys with issues about kids.

I just want seats in the empty section of the airplane, considering what I have paid for this, and every other flight on this airline. There's no respect for loyalty, especially in the time of hardship. That pisses me off.

[Leatherboy2006]

1. On red eye flights I am usually finishing up paperwork for up coming meeting that I am flying to or finishing paperwork from meeting I just attended. So awake most of time.
2. My parents have been in their graves for over 20 years.
3. I like how you asume I am creepy, actually body builder, use to model till got tired of it and still 10% body fat.
4. I usually have to book flights at last minute and pay a lot of time up to 600.00 ONE WAY if not more.

[Corbel]

ok, you just stated you want seats in an empty section of the plane, so whats wrong with sitting in coach, since its a red eye flight and you'll probably be sleeping anyway. when i flew united (im premier exec. status) i didn't get into economy plus, but i didn't make a big fuss about it, and i flew to frankfurt germany, i get what i get. why make a big deal about it? im positive my ticket was more than $600 too. and by the way....i dont work for united anymore, and my status didn't expire