This is why flying never gets old. There's always a new adventure or something that can go wrong. On Sunday evening I was supposed to fly from New York JFK to Washington Dulles to Tampa. I was originally on the 7PM JFK-IAD flight, but due to bad weather at IAD the flight was showing a…
Continue reading: Why I spent the night at Dulles on Sunday….
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I'm pretty sure this is a stupid question, but why are you gate checking your bag instead of putting it in the overhead bin? If you're 1k, aren't you always boarding first, so shouldn't there always be room? I'm sure I'm missing something obvious, but just wondering...
I'm glad you pulled the 1K card, though I'm sorry you had to resort to that. Hope you get a $250 e-voucher in your inbox soon.
I was hoping you had a confrontation with the TSA! 😉
Over the summer I had some problems making my connection and had to stay over too. My only friends at IAD seemed to be the people in the baggage office.
Lucky - next time ask to be put up at the brand new Westin IAD, just opened 19 Nov. I realize you're not a Starwood guy, but you won't mind missing flights after staying here. It's a 5 min shuttle from Dulles, and the people are great. Total pleasure to stay there, and a full night's sleep in a Heavenly bed is one of life's great pleasures.
When I volunteered last time in IAD and had an overnight stay I went to the Landsdowne Resort. It was super posh and I got meal credits, travel credits, and everything. I got hooked up at the CS Desk.
http://www.lansdowneresort.com/
Why were you sent to a Holiday Inn as a 1k???
@ magiciansampras -- There's plenty of stuff inside my bag with my name on it, but nothing on the outside. Never figured I'd need it given that I never let my carry-on out of my sight (or so I thought).
@ Harper -- Great question, should have clarified. I had a full sized carry-on and this flight was on an ERJ, so the bins were too small to fit my bag.
@ Matthew -- Unfortunately my interaction with the TSA was misinterpreted this weekend. I thanked the gate smurfs at my LAX flight for keeping our country safe and they thought I was being serious, so....
@ Blandon -- I was totally shocked. IAD employees aren't usually that great, but all three agents in the baggage office seemed to be super friendly.
@ Ace -- While I'm no SPG guys, I'm a total sucker for Westin beds. Definitely requesting it next time!
@ nmmercer -- That's actually the hotel the service director first printed by hotel voucher for, but for some reason I thought it was a crappy hotel and that the shuttle stopped running rather early, so I asked for a different hotel. Looks like I shouldn't have!
Lucky, United "misplaced" one of my bags on my last trip. I received and email offering me compensation about 3 hours after i left the airport.
Landsdowne is a Benchmark Hospitality resort. It's a full 4* resort, definitely a must do if you get the chance. I've personally performed a quality control inspection at this property and I can verify the excellent service levels.
Lucky,
If you do not get a response soon, then you should call the 1K number and ask for them to transfer you to 1K customer relations. Do call during the week and normal business hours and you should reach WHQ.
Gate check luggage is 100% safe? Ha, Check this out.
Post #11 explains what happened in the end.
this fall I gate checked a stroller on my FRA-FCO flight - handed it to the guy handling gate checks. I arrived in FCO. and so did the stroller... a week later. it is fun to carry a baby around for a week in rome. zero compensation, including no apology from LH
@Lucky - I was delayed at SFO overnight due to a mechanical a few weeks ago and UA put me up in a hotel. When the GA was preparing the hotel voucher, I very calmly asked him, "I'd like the Westin SFO, please..." He was happy to oblige, and when I checked in they gave me the Presidential Suite due to it being so late at night. +$15 for breakfast voucher the next morning made for a great stay! (No points/stay credit on a UA-paid stay, but I was happy to get a great sleep in the H.Bed)
What bad weather?
I was on a 6PM flight out of IAD on Sunday that left right on time, the field was snow covered, but all the concrete was dry... I didn't notice massive cancellations or delays posted on any of the airport monitors either.
Was it weather at JFK? Otherwise I call shennanagans.
I once stopped to remove a rather ragged green tag and the ramper told me no need.
I explained I didn't want to risk it coming off and causing the bag to get sent to baggage claim.
Ramper said "don't worry about that"--obviously I was properly concerned though!
Dont be ashamied to be traveling as a college student. Many people do. Dont try to be something you are not.
@lucky perhaps you avoided Landsdowne after reading Matthew's blog post at http://upgrd.com/matthew/bumps-and-upgrades-a-great-day-of-flying.html
I have to say, I agree with him. I've spent many nights there due to late night bumps and just wanting to go to sleep instead of fighting with CSRs about getting a different hotel. The shuttle there sucks - generally waiting forever with highly variable arrival times. The shuttle back to Dulles isn't too bad. I don't find their beds too comfortable and I always arrived too late and left too early to experience their 4* attributes. On top of that, the walls (or maybe just the hallway doors) weren't any good at sound insulation. Staff all seemed friendly and helpful though.
Lucky, I got a tip from another UA 1K - he took one of the UA Green Tags, tore it in half, and laminated both halves. One goes in his wallet and the other is attached to his bag with one of those super strong clear plastic ties.
I have not done this yet but I plan to. I learned this trick after suffering the same fate at IAD where the Green Tag had come off. Like you I was able to charm the ramper into giving me my bag but did not miss my connection.