Originally Posted by
paperwastage
https://beta.regulations.gov/documen...2020-0142-0001
a new complaint filed August 17, 2020, UA has until sept 2 to respond
complainant bought UA flight via OTA. UA flight cancelled, complainant wanted refund via OTA
In july 22, OTA said they checked with supplier (I assume UA), but no option for refund because it was a covid19 related flight suspension. Only allow future travel flight credit.
complainant did not reach out to UA at all
another example of why you shouldn't use OTA.
this complaint will likely be tossed by DOT? (doesn't regulate OTAs, complainant didn't contact UA directly)
Had the same issue in multiple cases, with several agencies (including Expedia), and several airlines. In each case, incompetent OTA phone agents insisted TC was the only available option, so I called UAL, which authorized refund to OTA pursuant to the delay/cancellation provisions of the COC, then I got money back from OTA once they saw UAL had actually refunded.
It shouldn't be the consumer's job to figure it all out, and I have no delusions about United's refund malfeasance earlier this year, but it seems that so many cases can be resolved through better communication.