Originally Posted by
1k650
I have a refundable ticket that I will not use, but do not want the amount to be refunded to the original source of payment. UA will not issue travel vouchers since the ticket is refundable. Any way out?
I am thinking of exchanging it for a non-refundable ticket, and then cancelling the latter. This way, I will have a non-refundable credit (albeit with a penalty of $250) which I can use later.
suggestions?
1. If you paid with Amex, Visa or MC (and most other CC's I believe, but am not certain), refunds must be contractually made to the original form of payment. This is especially important in connection with anti-money laundering policies and creates significant compliance issues for both the CC issuer and UA, especially if the CC is issued to someone other than you, the pax.
2. Even if you convince UA to do this, presumably the non-refundable ticket is cheaper than the refundable ticket you hold. This will mean that the fare difference will be refunded to the CC used to pay for the ticket, you will now hold a non-refundable ticket and then suffer a $250 penalty against that.
3. It's more likely that even if UA would do this, that UA would simply refund the price of the original ticket to the original form of payment, issue a new non-refundable ticket and seek payment from you for that ticket (whether you pay with a CC or cash).
Presumably this is an intl. ticket (given the $250 change fee you are speaking about) and you should carefully consider whether you are painting yourself as a money launderer. Which all raises the following question: Why are you doing this?