Originally Posted by
mfirst
why do you think UA would not be happy?
... I though people do this stuff frequently?
... although I can see why they would not like it
-m
They don't want people reserving two seats and only using one, especially when they're doing so at discount, advance-purchase rates.
Using same-day change to move flight dates is done frequently, and they don't care, because it's expiring inventory at that point. But holding multiple return flights is not done frequently -- or, at least, you won't find many people on FlyerTalk admitting to doing it frequently.
If you absolutely have to do that, for whatever reason, buy the tickets on two separate airlines.