6.97 for using an e-cert (E-cert issues of late) [Merged]
Jul 28, 2011, 8:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,859
6.97 for using an e-cert (E-cert issues of late) [Merged]
I'm not a regular here, so if this was covered before, please point me in the right direction (search didn't help with the phrase).
I'm trying to book some united flights with an e-cert, but even though the search result page shows them eligible, when selecting the flight it goes into the "sorry, fare change" mode bumping up the price 6.97 USD. W/o the e-cert the price for the same flight doesn't change in step two. Is it because of all this FAA turmoil or a new "enhancement"? I don't recall anything like it last time I used some certs (couple months ago).
I'm trying to book some united flights with an e-cert, but even though the search result page shows them eligible, when selecting the flight it goes into the "sorry, fare change" mode bumping up the price 6.97 USD. W/o the e-cert the price for the same flight doesn't change in step two. Is it because of all this FAA turmoil or a new "enhancement"? I don't recall anything like it last time I used some certs (couple months ago).
Jul 28, 2011, 8:56 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,975
First, even with an ecert you have to pay the PFCs and any other taxes/fees.
If the ecert amount is greater than the base fare, the only decent way to book it is by phone through web support.
If the ecert amount is greater than the base fare, the only decent way to book it is by phone through web support.
Jul 28, 2011, 9:01 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,859
The ecert is lower then the base fare, so no problems there. I know there's still taxes and fees involved - I'm talking about fare increase alone.
Jul 28, 2011, 9:18 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: OSH/ATW
Programs: Mileage Plus Silver, Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 258
Had the same thing happen to me. I would search, select and as soon as I got to the purchase stage I got the same warning and the price had gone up. So I opened a different browser to do the same search to see if it reflected the new price with a new search and it didn't. Again as soon as I got to the purchase page it gave me the warning again. I didn't purchase at the time because I was frustrated.
Jul 28, 2011, 9:27 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 57
the same happened to me, except the difference was more than $6.97. Was anyone able to get around it. I tried many times, but was unsuccessful.
Jul 28, 2011, 10:31 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,175
Where are you traveling? Hawaii has a special "e-cert tax" that they apply whenever you use a discount certificate (yes, I'm serious).
Jul 28, 2011, 10:38 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAT/LONG
Programs: UA 1k; Hyatt Plat; SPG Gold; Avis PC Preferred; Priority Pass Select; AMEX Platinum
Posts: 442
Call into web support. they will match what the website is showing, make sure you have some screenshots, but leave the page open from where it shows the price before the price hike..
ive done this many times..
ive done this many times..
Jul 28, 2011, 10:43 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
The surcharge is usually around $10 (depending on the fare, I guess)...
Jul 28, 2011, 3:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Riverside CA
Programs: Marriott Plat, UA1K
Posts: 31
A similar thing happened to me recently when trying to purchase tickets to Alaska. Eventually, I called reservations and a very kind CSR lady explained to me that there is a glitch in the system, so if any Continental legs are included the fare is not calculated correctly. She made the reservations for me without a problem--and no charge!
Jul 28, 2011, 8:37 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BUR/LAX
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, HHonors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 2,505
Also happened to me on a PS flight to JFK last week. I called web support and the agent asked me to send a screenshot over to him and he matched the lower price.
Jul 28, 2011, 11:51 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I'm getting it right now as i look for flights. Price without ecert is $332. Price with $200 ecert is $145.95 and comes with the disclaimer above the itin that 'the price has changed due to availability or pricing updates'.
Oddly, when I searched again, this time without an ecert, there's no availability problems.
Oddly, when I searched again, this time without an ecert, there's no availability problems.
Jul 29, 2011, 1:15 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,321
My understanding is that UA calculates Hawaii's GET incorrectly when an e-cert is used on a Hawaii itinerary and that they incorrectly charge the GET on the value of the e-cert. It's a known issue, and at least we used to be able to get Web Support to fix it. I don't know if they will still fix it or not, but they are charging you double tax and shouldn't be.
Is this a Hawaii itinerary? It's usually more than $7 difference when I use an e-cert so this doesn't sound like the Hawaii issue.
-David
Jul 29, 2011, 1:24 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 57
i wasn't travelling to hawaii or alaska. i tried it with different dates, and the same result occurred only when i applied the e-cert. i think my price difference was around $16. i will try web support.