When things suddenly go right!

I am loving United Airlines right now……

OK, it’s a love/hate relationship, but right now it is definitely love.

Due to my visa troubles (explained previously), I had limited options for flights when rescheduling on short notice.  My client was not willing to pay any more than necessary, so I was stuck with a really tight connection in IAD, if missed, would cause a 1 day delay in getting to my destination.

Part of the problem is that I didn’t trust United Express to be on-time.  They have their difficulties on a good day, let alone in the thunderstorm season of the north east.  Storms were predicted every afternoon for the upcoming week, and my flight was scheduled to leave Hartford around 5pm.  I had a 45 minute connection in Washington for my Frankfurt flight – miss that and I am stuck for a day – either in Washington or Frankfurt.

So I called the Global Services desk the night before, explained the situation and asked to be rescheduled on an earlier flight thru Chicago.  They explained to me that this option would cost an additional $1400 – not something I could pass along to my client.  I was advised to go to the airport early the next day because flight changes could only be done at the airport on the same day.

I decided to call the desk again that morning to see what the possibility of changing to go thru Chicago was, and thankfully this agent was able to put me on an earlier Washington flight (which previously I was told was sold out).  It did happen to be sold out and they were asking for volunteers for later flights, but I got my seat and I was happy with that.  The earlier flight (which also happened to be delayed slightly) afforded me peace of mind and plenty of time to make my connection.  This was positive number 1.

Positive number 2 was a gate agent named Claus who totally made my day.  I asked him if it were possible, to give me a free upgrade to first class since I wanted to try it for the newly configured United planes and since I am global services.  My ticket was booked in business class, which is great, but my philosophy is that it never hurts to ask.  So I asked, and I received!  Claus came through for me and I am sitting in 2C as we speak.  This is one of the newest compartments on the international flights.  I have been in the newly configured business class before, but first has several advantages:

1. the passenger to bathroom ratio is 5:1
2. the compartments are very private – no one next to you waking you up because they need to go to the bathroom
3. lots of overhead storage space because there are so few people up here
4. more personalized attention
5. chocolates

I don’t know that I would pay for these extras…..much of the other things are the same. Same video/audio selections, same in-seat power, same food basically (the short ribs I had tonight are the same that I had in business a few weeks ago), but for a freebie it is great and I am extremely thankful!!!!

Maybe on the way home I will try this again…..maybe another agent like Claus will be sweet and kind and upgrade me again.  Thanks Claus!!! Thanks United!!!

ADDENDUM

Just a note to follow up - I did try this on my return trip and United delivered again!!  At Frankfurt airport I was invited to go to the first class lounge due to my GS status even though I wasnt flying first class at this point.  When I got to the gate, my name was called and I got another free bump up to first.  Thanks again United!!!