Meta-issue or suggestion for United:
Punishment / locking a member's account is hopefully the step of last resort, but couldn't they use cases like this to some better benefit? Couldn't they somehow achieve a deterrence effect by making this more widely known that it is not allowed and seriously handled?
How would the average person know that this is against the rules or so serious? I feel that UA could help others avoid being in this situation a little more actively. Better to publish and somehow let people know, than to keep having to bring down the hammer on the unaware ones who do.
Law / rules are both for punishment (after) and deterrence (before). I see none of the 2nd part (aside for those who read this forum) on the 2nd aspect. How are people supposed to know -- and seriously who reads the fine print? Better for UA to keep the long loyal customer while periodically a necessary reminder that selling is not allowed, than to have to lose him after 20 years due to possibly a tempting/rash action.