Originally Posted by
Amicus
Is it likely that air traffic control really did cancel our flight?
Could be true. FAA flight delay page lists no specific problems at ORD right now ( see
http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp ). But it could be that there was some kind of ATC restriction. When ATC says "operate fewer planes now please" (flow restrictions) you gotta pick some flights to cancel, and short flights with small planes cause less disruption than other options.
Golly, this flight is super unreliable in the past few days, check out
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL5472 .
Cancelled flights that were sold as UA5472:
8/19 ORD-SPI
8/19 SPI-ORD
8/21 ORD-SPI
8/21 SPI-ORD
8/22 ORD-SPI
8/22 SPI-ORD
Originally Posted by
Amicus
How likely is it that my rental car refund would be honored?
It is incredibly unlikely, **even if a UA agent tells you "we will reimburse you for your alternative transportation arrangements"**, that they will ultimately do so. Buy train/bus tickets or rent a car under the assumption that UA will not give you that money; and assume that if the reason for the problem is not mechanical or crew, that UA will not give you any other kind of compensation. Perhaps you bought your ticket with a credit card which provides travel insurance which will cover your out-of-pocket costs.
Under the contract of carriage they don't actually have to get you to your destination; giving you a refund is also an option.