Originally Posted by transportprof

I received an e-certificate for renewing my MR Chase credit card, and am finding it quite frustrating to redeem this certificate. On the web site, my account shows the e-cert, but when I went to book a Cat 5 property (Residence Inn Foggy Bottom, DC) the reservation software wants to take points from my account and there's no option to redeem the e-cert.

So after a few false starts on the web site, I call the 800 number for reservations figuring they will be able to do this. I get a sympathetic agent who admits that there is a 'computer glitch' that prevents using the e-cert ahead of points on bookings. She says she'll make the booking, then transfer me over to customer care who will be able to fix the glitch and put the certificate on my reservation.

After getting my credit card for a guarantee, she transfers me to customer care which, you guessed it, is closed for the night. Line goes dead. I go back on line to see that I now have a reservation for a reward stay, but no e-cert attached to it.

Anyone else experienced this problem? A year ago, I had no trouble using a one night e-cert for a room reservation that I booked over the web.

I guess United isn't the only big travel company with computer shortcomings.