Originally Posted by
jasonvr
Given they have no way to get me from ONT though, I wonder how flexible they'd be. Would they put me on SNA-SFO instead (the only fight of the day they have on the route that day which is looking quite full already, though still has Saver Y available).?
Almost certainly, if that's what you prefer.
Originally Posted by
Brostman
I intend to call UA again on the weekend to see if the CSRs are up-to-date on new DOT guidance
The weekends are likely the worst time to call -- for the most part, you're getting the agents with the least seniority.
Originally Posted by
Brostman
....otherwise I intend to file second DOT complaint citing my initial complaint and amending it with the DOT's recent guidance....
I wouldn't bother with this. The DOT is certainly already aware of their guidance.
. You'll just end up confusing things. Once your existing message gets an actual response, you'd be able to follow up with the agent directly if necessary.
Originally Posted by
Brostman
my flight is scheduled for next Thurs, it has a change in departure time > 2 hrs and ticket purchased in Dec 2019.... so I am sort of pushing the limit
The response you'll eventually get from the DOT is that they sent your message along to UA, and that UA has 30 days to respond.
My advice is to call back Tuesday or Wednesday. If UA doesn't agree to a refund, ask them to remove the flights from your itinerary, so that you won't be marked as a no-show, and ask the agent to mark it as involuntary due to the schedule change. Tell the agent you do not want an ETC; instead, ask to leave the credit on the reservation, and you'll follow up with the refunds department separately. That will get rid of the time pressure. If, for whatever reason, your refund still ends up getting declined, and you'd rather have an ETC than future flight credit, you should be able to call back and have it converted, so you're not losing anything by doing this.