Apr 21, 2014, 11:37 am
Last edit by: Pat89339
A number of folks with award flights booked on CA (Air China) found their reservations cancelled. The only notification of cancellation appears to be an email in from UA written in chinese. UA reps confirmed that cancellations were made online and CA award space was no longer available. UA can rebook on other flights when award space is available.
It is plausible that a third party with access to PNR and pax name on the flight can fraudulently cancel an existing itinerary and book the reopened award seat.
Affected FlyerTalk members — with links to where in this discussion they posted their experiences — include:
It is plausible that a third party with access to PNR and pax name on the flight can fraudulently cancel an existing itinerary and book the reopened award seat.
Affected FlyerTalk members — with links to where in this discussion they posted their experiences — include:
- MikeMpls
- nihaoa
- lewende Reported 4 friends with this issue
- ordbkk
- twebst
- kb1992
- litesleeper
- zombietooth
- critten Reported 2/3 confirmations (3 people CA Business class) cancelled at the same time
- skyvanman Also 1 friend with the issue
- chris1234
- atiger29
- bubble o bill
- genemk2
- jefftiger
- CuddlyFlyer
- gpeso8
- imm2b
- acf1270
- dgxoxo
- ACM two passengers
It seems everybody wants to see the message.. here was mine:
united.com 通知 - 航班预订取消
2014年4月17日 (星期四)
united.com | 优惠促销 | 预订 | 赢取前程万里 (MileagePlus®) 奖励里程 | 我的帐户
先生 ORDBKK
您的预订 MYRES123 已取消，我们已收到您的退款申请。申请信用卡退款需 7 个工作日。如果信用卡退款未在一个付款周期内寄出，请联系信用卡公司。对于包括现金退款在内的 所有其他形式 的付款，需要 20 个工作日。
如需详细信息或查看退款的状态，请访问 united.com 并提供您的机票号码。
感谢您使用 united.com
电子邮件信息
请不要使用“回复”地址回复此邮件。
此电子邮件中的信息仅供原接收人使用。
如果您遇到技术问题，请通过电子邮件或电话联系 united.com 服务支持。
通知：机票取消确认
电子邮件地址: ORDBKK@MYEMAIL
2014年4月17日 (星期四)
united.com | 优惠促销 | 预订 | 赢取前程万里 (MileagePlus®) 奖励里程 | 我的帐户
先生 ORDBKK
您的预订 MYRES123 已取消，我们已收到您的退款申请。申请信用卡退款需 7 个工作日。如果信用卡退款未在一个付款周期内寄出，请联系信用卡公司。对于包括现金退款在内的 所有其他形式 的付款，需要 20 个工作日。
如需详细信息或查看退款的状态，请访问 united.com 并提供您的机票号码。
感谢您使用 united.com
电子邮件信息
请不要使用“回复”地址回复此邮件。
此电子邮件中的信息仅供原接收人使用。
如果您遇到技术问题，请通过电子邮件或电话联系 united.com 服务支持。
通知：机票取消确认
电子邮件地址: ORDBKK@MYEMAIL
Originally Posted by ordbkk View Post
For tracking purposes, I went through the 27 pages of this thread and compiled a list of those affected:
MikeMpls
nihaoa
lewende (reported 4 friends with this issue)
ordbkk
twebst
kb1992
litesleeper
zombietooth
critten
skyvanman (also 1 friend with the issue)
jefftiger (but, happened during October 2013)
So we're at 13 people affected, although some like critten have had multiple trips canceled.
From what I understand, all of these occurred in the last 3 weeks.
For tracking purposes, I went through the 27 pages of this thread and compiled a list of those affected:
MikeMpls
nihaoa
lewende (reported 4 friends with this issue)
ordbkk
twebst
kb1992
litesleeper
zombietooth
critten
skyvanman (also 1 friend with the issue)
jefftiger (but, happened during October 2013)
So we're at 13 people affected, although some like critten have had multiple trips canceled.
From what I understand, all of these occurred in the last 3 weeks.
2014 UA Issued Awards on Air China (CA) Are Mysteriously Being Canceled (Hacked?)
Apr 19, 2014, 3:44 pm
#271
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA 1k (12 year fallen GS) 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,263
Since you are in Chicago I would call up your local newspaper and ask to speak to the reporter that covers Travel / UA - and send them a link to this thread. It's truly unfortunate that it has to come to this but it seems that there is no other way to do it... There was also a reporter on here a few days back if that doesn't work (but she was based in MSP)... On twitter I would suggest you stick to facts in your tweet and resist the urge to make a "sensational" tweet...
Apr 19, 2014, 4:44 pm
#272
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 83
Since you are in Chicago I would call up your local newspaper and ask to speak to the reporter that covers Travel / UA - and send them a link to this thread. It's truly unfortunate that it has to come to this but it seems that there is no other way to do it... There was also a reporter on here a few days back if that doesn't work (but she was based in MSP)... On twitter I would suggest you stick to facts in your tweet and resist the urge to make a "sensational" tweet...
Apr 19, 2014, 6:09 pm
#273
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 2,837
Checking my flight twice a day, it will connect with flight from pek to home. No seat assignment on CA so nervous
Apr 19, 2014, 6:34 pm
#274
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,156
Unbelievable response by United. They have a lot of capacity to China, and most of the time there is space in GlobalFirst anyway.
Inconceivable that they don't open up award space at saver level on their own metal to take care of this....
Inconceivable that they don't open up award space at saver level on their own metal to take care of this....
Apr 19, 2014, 7:26 pm
#275
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,401
You can add me to the list of victims. Until I came across this thread I thought I was the only one. I had a trip to the Philippines that included Air China on the return. I received that same Chinese email confirming my cancellation, which of course I didn't do. I called UA right away, but they weren't able to do anything for me. the agent was very kind, and she looked for different options, but said no availability for reward travel anymore. She added that the cancellation came via the website, from the same place I booked the trip (my office). I paid the $200 to recredit the miles. I have asked United to waive the $200 but I'm not optimistic. I know I'm completely not understanding of human behavior, but why do some people have to mess with others' accounts? I just don't get it. sigh.
Apr 19, 2014, 7:33 pm
#276
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,532
Apr 19, 2014, 8:03 pm
#277
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,716
This. Why should people like ordbkk be penalized for UA's mistake? If there isn't award space on UA metal at least on the correct days, they should be opening it for him.
Apr 19, 2014, 8:31 pm
#278
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: IAH
Programs: UA-1k, AA-EP, HH-D, Marriott-G,HPass-PL, Avis-Pres, Hertz-Pres
Posts: 95
Sad communication from UA nothing left to do... just set my calendar to check existing res every morning and evening for next 3 months.
Apr 19, 2014, 8:32 pm
#279
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,124
To access the details of the IP addresses that made the subsequent cancellation, one must check the logs of the web server (which requires someone in the IT security department).
All the PNR shows is that the booking was cancelled by someone not logged in to united.com
Apr 19, 2014, 10:15 pm
#280
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
No dog in this race, but is this happening on award reservations only, or also on paid F flights?
Apr 19, 2014, 10:41 pm
#281
Suspended
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,961
I don't know exactly what you're suggesting, but by far the most plausible explanation for why UA is claiming that the reservation was canceled from the same IP address that it was made from is simply that they are wrong.
Apr 19, 2014, 10:44 pm
#282
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Indeed. That's definitely the occam's razor explanation.
Apr 19, 2014, 11:18 pm
#283
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 83
I am grateful for at least having seats on a plane. My beef at this point is that the only available United flight leaves so early we must take additional time off from work, book an additional day of hotel, and obtain Chinese Visas, all of which is time and money we feel United should be responsible for. Not to mention, we booked this trip specifically to experience Air China & ANA, which offer an entirely different level of service than United (As United's own award chart concedes). My fiancee is Asian, and she had already reviewed the menu for our flights and was looking forward to the entire first class experience, which includes caviar. Finding out we've been downgraded to United was a disappointment to say the least.
This has turned what was supposed to be a special trip for us into a major headache.
Apr 19, 2014, 11:35 pm
#284
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,761
..... Not to mention, we booked this trip specifically to experience Air China & ANA, which offer an entirely different level of service than United (As United's own award chart concedes). My fiancee is Asian, and she had already reviewed the menu for our flights and was looking forward to the entire first class experience, which includes caviar. Finding out we've been downgraded to United was a disappointment to say the least.
This has turned what was supposed to be a special trip for us into a major headache.
This has turned what was supposed to be a special trip for us into a major headache.
Apr 19, 2014, 11:42 pm
#285
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 83
Cancelling is only an option if we want to forfeit the nonrefundable reservations we've made.
