Change Of Plans, I Am Going To Scotland đ´ó §ó ˘ó łó Łó ´ó ż!
Intro
Spontaneous is my middle name, or at least that's what my mates like to think it is đ. So, when a family member called me asking for a favor, I felt that it was in everyone's best interest that I help this family member out.
What was supposed to be a nice trip back to the US in Polaris soon turned out to be a couple of nights without sleep.
Change Of Plans!
Wrapping up a nice shower and a couple of bevies in the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, I headed over to Z gates to board this 787-10 to Chicago. However, first up, I had to stop off at the Lufthansa lounge to grab a pretzel. When in Germany, am I right?
The Lufthansa Business Class Lounge is all right, but I wouldn't say any better than the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge. However, the Senator Lounge (review coming soon) is top tier, and that is one I highly recommend!
Leaving the Lufthansa Lounge, I got a call from said family member asking if I could change my flight to go to Scotland that day. Considering I was preparing to board a nice flight in Polaris, in 1A, a little "ugh" came out when I was asked.
However, as they say, family first. As I was strolling up to the passport check at Z gates, I happened to be on the phone with United Airlines, checking flights to Scotland and trying to get my passport scanned. Talk about multitasking!
However, I was getting flustered since I was boarding in 10 minutes, and the agent was trying to ask me questions. Unfortunately, my multitasking wasn't that great, and I snapped at her. I came back later to profusely apologize to her, saying, "I am really sorry I snapped earlier. I shouldn't have done that, and I shouldn't have treated you that way." She was forgiving, which I was extremely grateful for since I felt horrible.
Thankfully, I had made it through to the gate, and boarding was just commencing to Chicago. Still on the phone with United, I had a lovely agent who was able to cancel my flight in the meantime while she was looking for an alternative.
With flight prices upwards of 700$ in economy from Frankfurt to Edinburgh (I had to go today), I found one seat left with award space on BA connecting through London. For 15,000 miles and 189$ in fees, this was a bargain for the summer season.
Changing Terminals
With my flight to Chicago canceled and my ticket leaving Frankfurt to London in 5 hours booked, I knew that I had to change terminals. Most, if not all ,Star Alliance flights leave from Terminal 1, while BA leaves from Terminal 2.
Still on the phone with United Airlines, I headed off to the tram that would take me between the two terminals.
By the time we pulled up to Terminal 2, I headed downstairs to immigration to head outside to check in for my flight to Frankfurt. As I was heading through immigration, I was still on the phone with United Airlines.
Interestingly, there wasn't a single person in line at immigration, and I was through within 30 seconds.
In hindsight, I should have just checked in online, so I didn't have to enter Germany...
Making it through to the check-in halls, it finally happened! The issue we had been having was that we couldn't find any I space out of anywhere in Europe over the next few days. At least that was until the agent was able to confirm me on a flight leaving from Paris to Newark on June 27th in Business. That just meant I had to get to Paris đ¤Ł.
When it was all said and done, it took me over an hour and 15 minutes on the phone with this agent and an extra little bit of money (due to departure taxes). However, the best part is that, for some reason, the United system refunded me 48,000 miles from the 88,000 I paid for the original ticket.
Flying Business Class Windhoek-Frankfurt-Newark for 40,000 miles might be my best deal ever. Without the help and patience of the agent, this never would have happened. Thank you, United!
Realizing that the BA check-in counters were closed đ¤Śââď¸, I checked in online, headed up back through immigration and security, and made my way over to the JAL Sakura Lounge (review coming next).
Talk about being spontaneous; I hope someone with Plus Points was happily surprised when someone in 1A didn't show đ.
Final Thoughts
What was supposed to be a regular flight from Windhoek-Frankfurt-Chicago soon turned into a race to change my ticket during the peak summer travel period. With 1 seat being left on British Airways Avios, an unbelievably helpful United Airlines agent willing to change my flight free of charge, and a potentially cranky Konrad, everyone came together to help me out with this family emergency. My apologies to the agent I snapped at by Z gates, and my praises to the United agent who helped me out. Thank you all around!
Although I only paid 40K miles for the whole trip in Business, I don't think saving an extra 48,000 miles was worth this stress.
I guess that means more flight reviews đ
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