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UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
#213349
01/08/2020 02:05 PM
01/08/2020 02:05 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 420 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I_AM_CDN
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 420
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Air Canada changed their schedule and moved our flight home to 3 days later, which we cannot do. Flying on points so instead of a direct flight home on AC we are now United to Chicago, overnight at ORD and then 6AM AC to Toronto. Never flown United. Is their Premier Access @ $15 each worth out when leaving SXM? We are in row 11 so not buried at back of the bus. Thank you, Merci
After every Monday and Tuesday even the calendar says WTF.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/63321157@N08/albums
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Re: UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#213490
01/10/2020 06:47 AM
01/10/2020 06:47 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567
Ohio
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I bag to differ with you. You fly enough you could write as book on all airline mishaps. Granted some are better than other but all have delays and cancellations. Correct and the biggest issue seems to be with how a particular airline deals with a specific problem. If one flies enough on any given airline, they will eventually experience a problem. Now, back to the discussion regarding United Premier Access.
J.D.
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Re: UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
[Re: I_AM_CDN]
#213516
01/10/2020 10:52 AM
01/10/2020 10:52 AM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
SammyM
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
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Very true, but the differences come from how they handle things when things go awry. My own personal experiences with AA have been so awful that I eliminate them every time I do a search for flights when flying anywhere domestically or internationally. I can't speak for others, but they've never, ever have tried to work things out with me one time. Albeit, United has it's share of problems but the one time they inconvenienced us they saw to it that our needs were met and for that I gained renewed trust with them. We were leaving SFO for a connecting flight through Chicago (ORD) when a minor mechanical issue caused a one-half hour delay in our take-off. The pilots couldn't make up the time, and when we finally landed in Chicago we missed our connecting flight (which was at a gate a 'mile' away). When I went to customer service window for United they apologized, gave us each $30 food vouchers for the day we were stranded in the airport, and promptly booked us on the next flight out that evening (which was some 8 hours later). They did, in my estimation, everything they could do. Delta did the same by us the following year when we were stranded at JFK coming back from SXM. They all have issues, but to me it's how they handle things when things go wrong that makes the all the difference.
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Re: UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
[Re: SammyM]
#213524
01/10/2020 11:35 AM
01/10/2020 11:35 AM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 706
lcote
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 706
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Very true, but the differences come from how they handle things when things go awry. My own personal experiences with AA have been so awful that I eliminate them every time I do a search for flights when flying anywhere domestically or internationally. I can't speak for others, but they've never, ever have tried to work things out with me one time. Albeit, United has it's share of problems but the one time they inconvenienced us they saw to it that our needs were met and for that I gained renewed trust with them. We were leaving SFO for a connecting flight through Chicago (ORD) when a minor mechanical issue caused a one-half hour delay in our take-off. The pilots couldn't make up the time, and when we finally landed in Chicago we missed our connecting flight (which was at a gate a 'mile' away). When I went to customer service window for United they apologized, gave us each $30 food vouchers for the day we were stranded in the airport, and promptly booked us on the next flight out that evening (which was some 8 hours later). They did, in my estimation, everything they could do. Delta did the same by us the following year when we were stranded at JFK coming back from SXM. They all have issues, but to me it's how they handle things when things go wrong that makes the all the difference. Completely agree. In our case, United really screwed us royally. And then failed to be helpful after the fact. Michael and I fly a lot.....and have never had good service with United. Jet Blue on the other hand, has always been fantastic.
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Re: UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
[Re: I_AM_CDN]
#213531
01/10/2020 01:19 PM
01/10/2020 01:19 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655
Brookfield, CT.
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I definitely fall on the ‘if you fly often enough........’ but the thing is, for us, We no longer fly that much so our experiences are pretty much limited to airlines that service SXM which for us means basically JB or American with Delta out there, too, but usually far more expensive than the others.
I know I’m in the minority here but I seem to have far better experiences with AA even allowing for all their schedule changes. And as I’ve said so often, it’s not always the problem that causes angst but the way in which the problem is handled.
Our November JB departure from SXM was a giant mess......... and it only got worse as we landed in PR instead of our n/s flight and arrival into JFK that we booked and paid for. I know, I know - stuff happens but one Customer Service Rep on the ground at PR would have made a world of difference to all on that flight. The slice of (cold) pizza and cup of Sprite they finally offered us at ten o’clock that night was a nice touch as was the hundred dollar credit to our travel banks but in honesty, none of it made up for the unexplained delays and inconvenience that might have been avoided with a little fore-thought on the airlines part.
On the other hand, when confronted with our third set of AA changes for an up-coming April trip, I think the people at AA would have given me my own plane if I asked for it. They changed us each time to flights of our choice with no questions asked and even gave us a mileage bonus for all the inconvenience that ultimately lead to us cancelling the FF tickets. There were no issues with the refunds or reinstatement of miles and all was accomplished with the assistance of very personable and helpful AA CSRs.
In fairness, booking the JB flights to replace those seats wasn’t a problem either but we ended up paying more for the JB tix than we originally paid for our AA first class tickets and in order to use the JB credit given us we had to purchase our tickets and couldn’t use our points for FF seats as we had hoped unless we we’re willing to forfeit the travel bank awards.
Maybe I’m just lucky but as inconvenient as the frequent AA schedule changes always are I’ve always been treated well by AA and I’m sorry so many others have had such egative experiences.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
[Re: I_AM_CDN]
#213570
01/11/2020 08:46 AM
01/11/2020 08:46 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,091 Massachusetts
boucharda
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,091
Massachusetts
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Google is your friend: A Premier Access purchase includes priority check-in, security lane access (where available) and boarding, but it does not include priority baggage handling. * Complimentary Premier Access is determined by the Premier status of the traveler on the day of travel for all tickets, including award tickets.
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Re: UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
[Re: Newt]
#213572
01/11/2020 09:04 AM
01/11/2020 09:04 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022
Central Florida!
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I think Pat must have the market cornered on getting stuff from AA. AA cancelled my flight I had from Miami in May and put us on their other Miami flight, on the D*@*! Max 8. When I called to complain they said I could cancel and get my money back, but no free upgrade, etc. I'm still hoping they will delay using it further from the current May 8.
Carol Hill
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Re: UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
[Re: I_AM_CDN]
#213586
01/11/2020 12:54 PM
01/11/2020 12:54 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655
Brookfield, CT.
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Carol and Newt,
Just lucky, I guess. I explained the three different changes on our FF flights home that had already happened and that I didn’t want to overnight and arrive home the next day as the latest change would have caused, along with the changes in our First class revenue flights and asked for my options. When we got all done with that I asked if they were offering any consideration for the numerous changes.
As far as an upgrade to first, we were already there on our revenue ticket, and I had no idea what the response to my email to the Customer Service Department might be. DH laughed at me wasting the effort so we were both pleasantly surprised by their generous mileage award. I doubt they’d give away complimentary Bus/First Class upgrades since those seats are so limited to begin with but you might bargain with them over the ‘brown’ seats on their seating chart. What have you got to lose?
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
[Re: pat]
#213591
01/11/2020 01:26 PM
01/11/2020 01:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022
Central Florida!
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Pat--that's what I asked for, the extra room seats, which on AA only get you extra room, as compared to Delta, where you get free drinks. No love.
Carol Hill
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Re: UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#213600
01/11/2020 02:28 PM
01/11/2020 02:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655
Brookfield, CT.
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Carol,
Per the AA seat selection charts, the ‘brown’ revenue upgrade seats do include free drinks. And while I could be mistaken I think they also get you earlier boarding? We usually do these seats if we’re NOT flying First or Business but as we are basically non-drinkers I can’t swear to it from personal experience and I don’t recall the boarding and overhead space issues but I think they also offer special considerations for these items, too.
I guess I just get lucky with the CSRs I get because they are usually - not ALWAYS - but usually very accommodating.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
[Re: boucharda]
#213670
01/12/2020 09:12 AM
01/12/2020 09:12 AM
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 880 Boston, MA
marge
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 880
Boston, MA
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Boucharda, I will be very interested in your trip, as we are doing the same in February. (United down, Delta back). Seduced by price! HOPE you have a great flight!
marge
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Re: UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
[Re: I_AM_CDN]
#213815
01/13/2020 02:56 PM
01/13/2020 02:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 420 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I_AM_CDN
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 420
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks all for the input...we will apply to $15 Premier Access charges to our last meal during the last day instead. We just need to sort out that last day of checking out, returning Kenny's wheels and then.......??
We are carry-on only so I was thinking if P-Access got us on the plane sooner we would not face already full overheads.The plan then is to be last on / first off the bus.
Are all departing passengers bused to the plane? Nobody walks from terminal to plane?
After every Monday and Tuesday even the calendar says WTF.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/63321157@N08/albums
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Re: UNITED PREMIER ACCESS
[Re: I_AM_CDN]
#213832
01/13/2020 04:36 PM
01/13/2020 04:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,091 Massachusetts
boucharda
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,091
Massachusetts
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The plan then is to be last on / first off the bus.
Are all departing passengers bused to the plane? Nobody walks from terminal to plane? Either first group OR last on...first on can hang in the corner right as you enter OR go to the other end...middle group gets squashed I saw MANY walking TO their aircraft but no one walking FROM any....
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