I'm earning miles from somebody else's international flights
Oct 29, 2007, 9:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 3
I'm earning miles from somebody else's international flights
A couple years ago I noticed that I had earned about 2,000 miles in my Mileage Plus account for a series of flights I had not flown, all based out of a certain Midwestern city. I phoned United, concerned that if someone could earn miles for my account, they might also be able to redeem miles out of my account. UAL helped me place a password on my account so that no one could redeem miles or change my contact information without the password. They also removed the miles from my account, since I had not earned them.
I went two years without seeing additional activity from my Midwestern alter ego (I assume he has the same name as me), and then this year he takes a trip to China and another trip to Europe. I know it's the same guy, because the flights both originate out of the same city as before (and it's not a hub). I'm no longer worried about him redeeming my miles, since I have a password on the account, but I feel bad that he's flying and not getting his miles, so I call UAL again and explain the situation to them. They say there's nothing they can do to contact him, and that I can just keep the miles he's earning for me.
Has this happened to anyone else?
Is the best course of action for me just to say nothing and enjoy the miles my alter ego has earned?
Even with the password on the account, do I still run a risk of him redeeming my miles?
- R
I went two years without seeing additional activity from my Midwestern alter ego (I assume he has the same name as me), and then this year he takes a trip to China and another trip to Europe. I know it's the same guy, because the flights both originate out of the same city as before (and it's not a hub). I'm no longer worried about him redeeming my miles, since I have a password on the account, but I feel bad that he's flying and not getting his miles, so I call UAL again and explain the situation to them. They say there's nothing they can do to contact him, and that I can just keep the miles he's earning for me.
Has this happened to anyone else?
Is the best course of action for me just to say nothing and enjoy the miles my alter ego has earned?
Even with the password on the account, do I still run a risk of him redeeming my miles?
- R
Oct 29, 2007, 9:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Seattle
Programs: United, American, Delta, Usairways, Southwest, Avis, Alamo, Hyatt, Marriot, Intercontinental
Posts: 197
No this has never happened to me. But, this is a crazy situation. Definitely feel bad for the guy. :-(
I wonder if he calls and sends in his own boarding passes if he's still getting his miles too. Hmm .. . in that case, you'd both benefit.
I wonder if he calls and sends in his own boarding passes if he's still getting his miles too. Hmm .. . in that case, you'd both benefit.
Oct 29, 2007, 11:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF Emerald EY Plat HH D
Posts: 1,270
Unless you are really desperate for the miles I would call them again and get them taken out.
A few years ago a friend put his number in someone elses booking by mistake and got the miles and then UA found out when they did a random audit
and asked for an explanation as he had used them .
They cancelled his account and told him he could never be a member again.
he lost all his miles too.
A few years ago a friend put his number in someone elses booking by mistake and got the miles and then UA found out when they did a random audit
and asked for an explanation as he had used them .
They cancelled his account and told him he could never be a member again.
he lost all his miles too.
Oct 29, 2007, 11:44 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Department of Homeland Sincerity
Programs: WN Platinum
Posts: 12,085
I got a United email from their audit department recently confirming my address change for a United MP account of another person.
There be a lot of manual human mistakes in the UA system.
There be a lot of manual human mistakes in the UA system.
Oct 30, 2007, 2:36 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: united, aa, delta, chase UR, Bonvoy
Posts: 60
if you contact me, i have a vice president at united i will get you in contact with. let me just say it is better to tell united the whole story and if they chose to do nothing...get it in writing. otherwise, they CAN AND WILL assume you have know all these years and tried to profit from a honest mistake on united's part. better to be the good guy and be bold enough to ask for some miles for being honest...rather to have your account closed and lose what was yours. [email protected]
Oct 30, 2007, 3:31 am
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,676
Paging UnitedSkies...
I would advise you to contact out fellow FTer, UnitedSkies and get his take on this, if you are concerned losing your miles. At least he is a more direct link to UA for us. He's been giving us a lot of UA "insight" over the years.
Just send him a private message.@:-)
Just send him a private message.@:-)
Oct 30, 2007, 7:09 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,638
not limited to united
i've had similar things happen with korean air and starwood, although the problem has never repeated. most likely, the other person simply mistyped their mileage plus number on the reservation. so while a polite email to united should take care of each erroneous posting, there's a fair chance it'll keep happening until the other flyer wises up.
Oct 30, 2007, 11:25 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,574
I would advise you to contact out fellow FTer, UnitedSkies and get his take on this, if you are concerned losing your miles. At least he is a more direct link to UA for us. He's been giving us a lot of UA "insight" over the years.
Just send him a private message.@:-)
Just send him a private message.@:-)
I did not know FTer UnitedSkies is a UA insider. Thx for the heads-up.
Oct 30, 2007, 12:07 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,676
Oct 30, 2007, 12:17 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MileagePlus Premier Gold
Posts: 11,522
I would suggest calling Mileage Plus again and talk to another agent to try to get this fixed for you. Given your appreciated honesty, I am hopeful that you will receive some help!
Oct 30, 2007, 12:21 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 3
if you contact me, i have a vice president at united i will get you in contact with. let me just say it is better to tell united the whole story and if they chose to do nothing...get it in writing. otherwise, they <span class="ft_code">CAN<span class="ft_name">Guangzhou, China</span></span> AND WILL assume you have know all these years and tried to profit from a honest mistake on united's part. better to be the good guy and be bold enough to ask for some miles for being honest...rather to have your account closed and lose what was yours. [email protected]
Rob, I'm about to send you an email.
- R
Nov 2, 2007, 5:13 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Under an ORD approach path
Programs: DL PM, MM. Coffee isn't a drug, it's a vitamin.
Posts: 12,935
richwalk, welcome to FlyerTalk!
