It is not often I rant in public but now I am angry. Back in February I had a refund approved by United Airways and was told, over the phone, that it would be put back on the credit card I paid with (I had booked the flight through Expedia in NZ). The approval was confirmed by email but no money arrived! In May I was talking to the American Express people about another issue and mentioned this, they said that they would look into it. I received another email from United Refunds worded the same as the first, still no money.
I have just spent half an hour altogether on the phone with them and after finally getting through to Refunds, have been told the refund is in the form of a travel certificate. This is useless to me as I do all my bookings in New Zealand with Air NZ Travel but I have not received any certificate!! Refunds has no email address so I have the physical address and will snail mail them. Meanwhile the person I spoke to will re-audit the request with a note!!
I have heard rumblings about United and today's dealings probably reflect the level of customer service they provide. When I kept being given the number to ring refunds I wonder if they know that New Zealand is not part of the USA!! Oh, and have any of you every tried getting past their automated answering machine, it is a doozy, lol!!
I feel a lot better after that!!
I was trying to ring Amtrak but after twenty minutes on hold, gave up. So I checked out and took the shuttle to the airport. At check in I received the wonderful news that my flight was delayed due to aircraft maintenance (whatever that actually means!) and would not leave until 5.40 pm, that would be cutting it a bit fine for my Auckland flight especially in the event of more delays. So she gave me a ticket for that flight but also put me on standby for the 2 pm flight. I was then able to go through the TSA security check, so no shoes off and leave everything in my bag, yay!
I grabbed a Starbucks and went to the gate immediately. OMG it is nerve racking waiting on standby, never done it before, watching all these people arrive well after boarding time and thinking the plane is full. I was now down to third on the list but finally my name was called, such a relief! The earlier flight means more time in the lounge in SF and that will be superior to United Club.
United are trialling a new personal entertainment app and people were going round explaining how it works. It is only on certain flights at the moment. Once we were in the air, we could use the app to find movies and TV shows. I looked at what was available but decided to treat myself to Internet access so I could catch up on things out there! It worked well and not horrendously expensive.
Well, you never know who you will meet on a flight. I went to the restroom and a chap who followed me said something and I knew where he was from immediately. After a few words he asked me where I was from and I replied that I was originally from the same country as himself. I told him I now live in New Zealand and he said he thought he could detect a twang, lol! He comes from London, such a small world.
We landed early in San Francisco and I was looking for a Starbucks but could not find one so had to make do with a large Baileys and ice in the lounge, lol. It was a gorgeous day unlike Chicago where it had been very gloomy with low cloud. It was nice to relax for a bit!
As I end this blog for now I want to say thanks to some people.
To my friend Andrea, her sister and niece for caring for Seb and Sylvie while I have been away.
For putting me up and putting up with me!!
Barbara and Rick in Okemos MN and their fur babies
Lisa and Harry near Archbold OH and their fur babies
Connie and Joe in Rochester Mn and their fur babies
Chris and Deb who met Lisa, Joe and I for lunch
Amy and her fur babies for a quick visit and Becky for joining us for lunch.
Rose and Rock for driving three and a half hours to visit with Connie, Joe and myself.
To Lisa's family and friends who welcomed me into their lives.
To the gang at the Doughbox for letting this Kiwi volunteer and for the fun we had.
Finally, those among you who have followed and shared in my journey, I hope you have found some enjoyment along the way, wish you could be with me for real!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment