Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Mileage Run Deals
Reload this Page >

UA 'clerical error' ditches fuel surcharges

UA 'clerical error' ditches fuel surcharges

Old May 15, 2008, 2:28 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Durango, CO and Dallas
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 79
UA 'clerical error' ditches fuel surcharges

At 12:30p today UA changed the general fuel surcharge rule for a lot of its route system. By the looks of it, they were trying to make a $0 surcharge for Infants, but instead wiped out the fuel surcharge for adults too. Given that on many markets the fuel surcharge is $130RT - could be some good deals out there.

The 'clerical error' was United's official response

Graeme
FareCompare.com
gwwallace is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 3:09 pm
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STX
Programs: Used to have a bunch of shiny metallic cards. That was one life ago.
Posts: 1,807
I got an email forward from a friend of a friend of a friend about this an hour ago. According to the email, UA can't reinstate the surcharge until midnight tonight. However, I tried a couple of dummy itins on Ua.com and it seems to be tallying fees just right. I never fly UA, though, so I'm way out of my area of expertise. Anyone able to book anything that takes advantage of this?

More info from Bloomberg ...

Last edited by jbatl; May 15, 2008 at 3:17 pm
jbatl is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 3:14 pm
  #3  
Formerly known as fsa_ea
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS/1MM,AS 75k,NK GLD,AA 2MM,DL 2MM,LH FT,AY PLT,IC RA,FMT LT PLT,HYT GLB,HLT DIA,MRT GLD,HRTZ PC
Posts: 2,226
I tried SFO-ORD-ATL, and the price is higher than ever. From SFO, what markets are affected by this error?
The Mileage Millionaire is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 3:21 pm
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT, SPG PLT
Posts: 1,612
Yeah, me too...

I can't seem to find anything that's pricing out 'odd'. Each of the items that FareCompare says should price, are doing so just fine.

At least from BWI/IAD/DCA...

Does anyone see something that shows a YQ on ITA but nothing on ua.com?

-jeremy
kmfdm91 is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 3:23 pm
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ORD, MKE
Programs: UA, AA, Hilton and regular member of everything else
Posts: 1,332
The fuel surcharges are there on united.com for me.
mlbcard is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 3:25 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: No longer loyal "over-entitled" 1K
Posts: 3,820
Originally Posted by fsa_ea
I tried SFO-ORD-ATL, and the price is higher than ever. From SFO, what markets are affected by this error?
Try international destination as the fuel surcharge can be up to $300 RT.
kkjay77 is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 3:29 pm
  #7  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Originally Posted by gwwallace
At 12:30p today UA changed the general fuel surcharge rule for a lot of its route system. By the looks of it, they were trying to make a $0 surcharge for Infants, but instead wiped out the fuel surcharge for adults too. Given that on many markets the fuel surcharge is $130RT - could be some good deals out there.

The 'clerical error' was United's official response

Graeme
FareCompare.com
Anybody want to wager that UA's Contract of Carriage allows them to correct clerical errors? I can see lots of demands for more money or cancellation of tickets.
3Cforme is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 3:29 pm
  #8  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Silver, AA, WN, DL
Posts: 4,081
According to the article:
May 15 (Bloomberg) -- UAL Corp.'s United Airlines said it accidentally dropped fuel surcharges of as much as $130 round trip on all of its domestic routes around midday today.
and

United won't be able to fix the glitch until the next fare distribution occurs at about 8 p.m. New York time
Maybe this is UA's way of an unofficial "sale" to get attention?
luv2ctheworld is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 3:47 pm
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NJ/NYC
Programs: UA and HH
Posts: 4,346
This looks like b.s. but a good PR move for UA making people think they are getting a good deal. I couldnt find anything decent out of NYC, but only spent about 20 minutes searching.
gbryan84 is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 3:57 pm
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,925
The PL trick should still work for UA.
Palal is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 4:02 pm
  #11  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: AA EXP LT GLD 1MM, BA GLD, NH/UA*G, Hyatt Dia, Marr Tit LT PLT, IHG Spire,HH Dia, MGM NOIR,Hertz PC
Posts: 10,571
Well UA could still prevent the system from issuing ticket # for the next hours as well.

As long as no ticket is issued, no guarantee of the fare.

I booked on PL a few days ago for a very good price though
skywalkerLAX is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 4:05 pm
  #12  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 91
Advertising scam?

If this wasn't an advertising scam, why would UA announce this publicly? I've been shopping for some fares lately and I'm getting the same fares, if not higher.
CalvaryMike is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 4:08 pm
  #13  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,067
Originally Posted by skywalkerLAX
Well UA could still prevent the system from issuing ticket # for the next hours as well.

As long as no ticket is issued, no guarantee of the fare.
Yeah, brilliant. Turn off revenue generation for a few hours during a business day.

Then, you have the liability of contacting customers back, and further angering them because the price changed.

Their lower liability is issuing ticket as normal.
channa is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 4:09 pm
  #14  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 534
Originally Posted by CalvaryMike
If this wasn't an advertising scam, why would UA announce this publicly? I've been shopping for some fares lately and I'm getting the same fares, if not higher.
I saw the $130 difference on my held itins..

-jasp
jasp25 is offline  
Old May 15, 2008, 4:12 pm
  #15  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: AA EXP LT GLD 1MM, BA GLD, NH/UA*G, Hyatt Dia, Marr Tit LT PLT, IHG Spire,HH Dia, MGM NOIR,Hertz PC
Posts: 10,571
Originally Posted by channa
Yeah, brilliant. Turn off revenue generation for a few hours during a business day.

Then, you have the liability of contacting customers back, and further angering them because the price changed.

Their lower liability is issuing ticket as normal.
Haha.... whats the difference to UA's normal operation? A mess as always...
skywalkerLAX is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.