Programs: UA 3P, US, AA, WN, TZ; HH, *W, MR, GP+ (non-elite on all)
Posts: 6,602
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daringdoo
And sure, you can call and get them to put a booking on hold but as others have mentioned
Yes, so whether or not the vouchers are refundable is entirely irrelevant. It absolutely sucks that we can't book-and-hold on the website anymore, yes... but the use of vouchers has not been affected. That is a peripheral issue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daringdoo
It would certainly sting to essentially end up throwing those away.
Don't get me wrong - I wholeheartedly agree that it stings and I wish it were different. But, that doesn't mean that the current way is "wrong" or "unacceptable," because it's consistent with the standard practice in this and other industries.
BTW coupons can be worth hundreds of dollars, too. Costco, as one example, regularly offers coupons worth hundreds of dollars off of TVs or other large-ticket items.
__________________ On extended FT hiatus while I concentrate on my thesis...
I may check in periodically. PM me if you really need to reach me.
See Post #11. It says it has NOT gone away (if you book on United.com). But the link does not work for me today.
Thanks for the help. Several links did not work for me on the United.com FAQ but I did find one referenced that says the 24 hour cancel is still in place. Thanks.
Moderator: United Mileage Plus, Women Travelers & Trip Reports
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Alamo, CA
Programs: UA1K; *wood plat; Hyatt diamond, Fairmont premier
Posts: 14,394
Quote:
Originally Posted by mahasamatman
Not true. Most airlines stopped paying travel agents years ago.
Read Orbitz's annual report, which notes commissions and incentives from carriers, and also United's, which notes commissions paid to third-party distribution channels.
At minimum, Orbitz and other distributors receive incentive payments for each segment of travel booked through the global distribution systems, which are owned by airlines. Airlines also pay them incentives directly.
Of course, one could also argue that it costs United more to have you call and book a ticket (if you are exempt from their fees) than for you to book with another source and have UA pay the commission or incentive.
Programs: UA 1K, MM; AA EXP, Lifetime Pt; CO Lifetime Pt; DL
Posts: 414
This really annoys me
This was a real benefit of UA's site. And I would use it - to AA's disadvantage by the way. Most of the time I would buy the ticket as basically I don't tire kick on airline tickets unlike most of the people who ask my advice on fares. So if the fare inventory goes, I don't get to buy the ticket and they don't get the fare and maybe AA does. Tough luck on UA is my reaction. Of course it is tough luck on me too. Very annoying.
Programs: 3KMM, HH Most Elite Diamond VIP. Thank you FTers!
Posts: 3,711
Quote:
Originally Posted by cepheid
BTW coupons can be worth hundreds of dollars, too. Costco, as one example, regularly offers coupons worth hundreds of dollars off of TVs or other large-ticket items.
True, however, your analogy fails as the Costco coupons are free to all members. The ecerts or paper vouchers/coupons we are discussing here are earned, whether by reason of disservice, taking another flight for the convenience of UA, or, if you still have them, vouchers from refares (kinda like a credit for an item that goes on sale after you purchased it in a store ).
My choice for using certificates/vouchers in the future (and I have ecerts, paper certs, and vouchers in my possession right now) I will call, have them build the itinerary and put it on hold without any of the above items and if and when I decide to ticket, have them apply the ecert, etc. then. I won't risk losing them that way.
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Posts: 648
What an asinine move. As soon as I was praising United for their seemingly increased politeness and "extra mile" customer service, they go an do something inane like this. I just used the hold feature last week so I could travel credits without bothering with the phone.
I completely agree that we need to start a mass writing campaign to get this back.
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