Just short of United Premier Executive

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

I'm on a business trip to Salt Lake City. My trip home tomorrow,was scheduled to fly on United through Denver. Needless to say, it was cancelled and I couldn't get a United flight home until Sat. My company booked me on a Delta flight home. Now I won't get my last 2200 miles to make Premier Executive.

I'm going to call Mileage Plus as soon as the phone jam clears. Any guesses on whether they will grant me that status?

Additional info - I have 3 more trips to SLC booked for Jan. on United.

Sue

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

See if you can't book yourself a mileage run--2200 miles roundtrip to anywhere affordable, out and back the same day (or maybe with one overnight). You are close enough that the cost is justifiable for upgrades etc. Take a gander over at www.flyertalk.com for good advice in the United forum.

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

Call United and explain what happened. Ask to be credited for your original flight. Since it was weather related, they might not do it very willingly. Explain that you needed that flight to make 1P and that you already have several flights booked on UA for 2007. If they say no, be polite, hang up and call back later.

BTW, I am at 99,991 miles with the double EQM promo. I will make 1K with a flight over New Year's. I should have made it last week but the fog in Philly had me driving to PHL instead of flying from Allentown so I lost 1000 miles. Those flights were on US though. This is the first time I will be a 1K.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

I finally got through to mileage plus late last night. They asked me to fax in my itinerary and to explain the situation. They said that they'd let me know their decision. I may just call again tomorrow and see if someone if just willing to do it for me.

I considered the possibility of taking another flight, but it just won't fit in my schedule. But good suggestion.

Thanks for your help.

Sue

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

United Mileage Plus customer service

Well, I called several times and got several different non-answers. One mileage plus customer service person told me to call United customer service and gave me the phone number. United customer service told me to call Mileage Plus.

Then I decided to try emailing customer service for Mileage Plus. I got NO response so a week later I sent another email. It's been 4 more days with NO response. Can't say I'm impressed with them.

I don't know if Delta would be any better, but at least Delta has a direct flight between home and the city I'm almost commuting to. I'm considering a switch.

[Dave M Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dave M]

I didn't notice your thread until now.

There are two separate issues.

The first is whether you should get credit for your canceled flight. That is an issue that can and will be handled only by Mileage Plus. Unfortunately, it was your company that made the decision to book you on another airline. Had UA booked you on another flight, you would have almost certainly received credit, no matter whether your replacement flight was on UA or another carrier.

In the existing situation, your best bet is (would have been) to simply request credit for the flight because (1) the flight was canceled, (2) UA was unable to rebook you on UA for at least two days and thus, (3) you were unable to fly on UA as planned.

That issue should be resolved first. If Mileage Plus decides to give you credit, you're in! If you won't get credit, then and only then should you appeal to Customer Service, based on the facts, to give you a waiver into status as a 1P (Premier Exec).

(And congrats to Pat for making 1K!)

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

It seems that snail mail and faxes work better. I was having a hard time getting credit for US Air flights that I took. The first time one was rejected because I hadn't included a copy of the e-ticket. I sent that but after a few weeks it still wasn't credited and UA didn't even show receipt of the second letter. I finally got someone to give me a FAX #. I sent a very nice letter and said how upset I would be if the non-credited flights caused me to miss being 1K. All of the flights were credited within 2 days. I have the FAX # at work and if I remember tomorrow, I will get it for you.

If you do a FAX, send a copy of the e-ticket and the boarding pass for the cancelled flight. Lay it on really thick about how disappointed you are not to be 1P especially since you have so many flights scheduled this year. Don't forget to include your MP #.

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

(And congrats to Pat for making 1K!)

It's all thanks to you.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

United did rebook me - to get home 48 hours later. Fortunately for me, I was already home. I finally received a response tonight. The answer basically was tough luck - that they reserve that status for people who really earned it. But they hope that I will remain a loyal customer and they appreciate my business. I replied back telling them how disappointed I was in their response. Perhaps sending a fax would reach a different individual, so if you can find that number, I'd really appreciate it.

Unfortunately I couldn't get a boarding pass because my flight was canceled more than 24 hours before my flight and I couldn't print the boarding pass before then. Also, my link to my electronic ticket didn't work after my flight was cancelled.

I am seriously considering other flight options - especially since other airlines can get me where I want to go for less money, and/or with direct flights.

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

I wasn't even close, and I got an email today from United "2007 Premier status can still be yours—purchase EQM/EQS today." Here is the included link: https://secure.unitedmileageplus.com/MP0701TH.jsp

It actually states you can purchase the remaining credits for Elite. Hope it works for you!

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

There is a site run by disgruntled United flyers at www.untied.com . You might want to share your experiences there.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

Thanks. It was nice of you to post the link.

I received the same email but it will cost me $400 to achieve what I should have already earned through my travels. I'm not sure if it's worth it to me. Not sure if I want to continue flying on United.

Sue

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

Oh, darn, I forgot the FAX #. I'll email myself right now so I don't forget again.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

Back in Jan, I received a response to my string of emails to Mileage Plus, saying that my request for Premier Exec status got bumped up to a higher level and that I'd have answer in 7 -10 days. A month later, I wrote and said I hadn't gotten a response. I got a very nice note in return saying they were sorry I hadn't heard anything yet but that they'd forward my email again. Well, another month has passed and still no response. I can't tell you how impressed I am with Mileage Plus customer service.


Anyway, I've been doing a lot of business travel and I'm close again to Premier Exec. I should make it without any trouble. In fact, I'm thinking I might even make 1K this year. I was looking at the benefits for PE and 1K. Other than getting higher on the status totem pole for upgrades, standby, etc. I'd like to know what the real benefit is for earning 1K. Looks like I get the same multiplier on paid flights for either level. Your comments are always appreciated.

Sue

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

6 System Wide Upgrades
2 Confirmed Regional Upgrades every quarter you fly 10,000 miles on UA
10 Drink coupons redeemable on those flights where you don't get upgraded
Fee waived on credit card
Fee waived for redepositing miles
1K only website

The thing I noticed was that the phone reps and gate agents bend over backwards to make you happy. There may be some more benefits I'm missing.