I recently changed an award booking through the Manila call centre, due to a schedule change with a connecting flight. Different routing, but same Regions involved, with no UA flights involved, all Star.

No problems, I thought, as no change in miles was required. However, the taxes were $30 less, because of the changed routing. The agent in Manila made the changes as requested, but when I asked if I would get a refund on the taxes, he said that it was "united Policy" not to refund taxes on a booking where the taxes have gone down.

I thought this was a little rude (and sharp practice) at the time, but just let it go as I got the changes I wanted. However, having thought about it, had I canceled the reservation and just rebooked, I would have got a full refund of taxes, so what's different in this case?

Anyhow, I have now written to United asking for a "please explain", but I was wondering what others thought about this, as it doesn't seen right to me.