I am a 1K Member and I recently booked a ticket to Australia (SLC-SFO-SYD, SYD-SFO).

It was a nonrefundable revenue fare in Polaris (Z).

A few days before my return to to SFO, I noticed that UA had released some upgradable fares*. So I called the 1K Desk, cancelled my return leg, and was told I'd receive a $4k credit (a credit since it was nonrefundable - no problem). Since the credit didn't post instantly, I booked a new return flight, planning to use the credit for a different trip to Europe later this year.

Now, a month later, my credit still hasn't appeared, so I call United. They clarify that the credit shows DENIED for a refund, and as a result, the credit can only be used by calling United and ONLY FOR A FLIGHT FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE US.

This is huge bummer - the 1K desk never mentioned that the credit would be restricted. I don't have any plans to fly back from Australia again!!

Did I really screw this up? Is there anything that can be done to make this credit more flexible?

I'm feeling quite stupid and would greatly appreciate any help or advice.


* Maddeningly, this ended up being a mistake.. or at least the upgradable fares weren't there when I went to book, and I ended up buying another revenue ticket home. Dumb dumb dumb