Originally Posted by johnmont

I really believe this is yet another sign that their IT (at the very least how it is reflected in the web site) is in horrible shape. I don't feel it's a conspiracy, but frankly feel it is ineptitude compared to what I was used to with pre-merger United. This is not meant as CO bashing per-se, as I know it's gotten worse for CO flyers compared to what they were used to...just in different ways. But it is definitely IT department bashing.

I have had 3 instances in the last month where data about flights has been widely conflicting....

1. Attempt to change a flight YUL->ORD last week online. Minimal charge for the change was $225 (+$150 change fee). However, expert mode showed availability in my booked class, so it should have been no charge. Called in and they were able to easily book me at no extra charge and just the change fees.

2. Attempt to book a flight online LAX->ORD->LAX. Priced at $995RT. I did not select a ticket, but opened up another browser, entered same info and got a RT price of $785. Redid search on original browser once -- $995. Searched again -- $785. Expert mode showed a minimum of 4 seats in each fare class that had tickets (checked in yet another browser). Tried again in two hours and had similar results. What would cause this? I wasn't logged in on either browswer.

3. Booked flight ORD->LAX and used a CPU, since expert mode showed availability. Upon booking, wasn't upgraded but put on wait list. Called and was easily upgraded -- agent was surprised I wasn't upgraded automatically.

So basically, I'm calling all the time now to double check things.

On top of this, my upgrade percentage has gone from 95% to 0% since June, flying the same routes (and flights) between ORD and LAX. Something definitely changed during that time period to cause my priority to drop for some reason...or the rules changed. Up until that time I hadn't experienced much of a change from last year. But man...it's really different now.

Anyway-- I'm sure that agents have been getting questioned regarding what we see on the site in expert mode. pmCO agents probably aren't used to it -- and pmUA are. But on top of this, if the information being shown to us is incorrect or incomplete (like I think it is)...that would be a reason to remove it for now until it's fixed.

Just a hypothesis, but my gut is that the info that is being displayed for us is wrong...and that's what's really causing the problem. I've certainly seen it on my end...