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United App Will Now Tell You Exactly Why Your Plane is Delayed

June 01, 2018
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2 min read
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United App Will Now Tell You Exactly Why Your Plane is Delayed
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Often, the most powerful thing to have at your disposal during an airline delay is knowledge and information...well, that and a power plug. Frequently, the frustrations that mount during delays aren't because of the delay itself, but instead, tempers spike when information about the delay becomes sparse, incomplete, or incorrect. This is doubly true when you have little kids to think about in addition to yourself. While passengers obviously can't control the weather, crew scheduling issues, or broken planes, they can make informed decisions when working with complete and up-to-date information about the delay.

With the advent of cell phones, WiFi, airline apps, and flight tracking websites, there is more information than ever available to passengers during a delay. While information availability has been on the increase for years, one airline just took things up a notch in terms of delay transparency.

Very recently, I started to notice some additional details about delays available in the United app. For example, on one delayed flight this week from Houston to LaGuardia, the United app shared that the delay was due to a problem with the plane's fuel panel and that they had found a new plane to operate the flight.

On another United flight this week from Chicago to Minneapolis, the app shared that the maintenance team needed more time to investigate a loud noise in the cabin on the original plane and that a new plane was on the way from Dallas.

Not only is this level of detail empowering as it allows customers to make informed choices in terms of whether they should wait out the delay, try and switch to a different flight, retreat to the lounge, or bail on flying that day entirely, but I could see it being potentially useful documentation for delayed flight claims as well.

United has said that this level of detailed information is currently only applicable to mainline United flights that involve Houston IAH or Chicago ORD, but my fingers are crossed this level of detailed information sharing will expand from there.

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Have you noticed these sort of details during your recent delays? Would you like to know exactly why your plane is delayed or is that level of detail creeping into information overload territory?

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.