Originally Posted by
zombietooth
I've found UA unwilling to rebook me on OAL for MX delays. I've done more cancels for refund and rebookings on another carrier in the last 3 years than in the previous 33+ that I've been a UA flyer. Once things start to go sidewise, I'm always on my laptop looking for alternate flights to my destination. It seems that UA expects the average pax to be happy with, "We'll put you on the next available UA flight.", which often means the next day. I can't wait until the next day on most of my business trips, so I'll end up buying a last minute ticket (cash or award) on the airline with best timely routing to my destination. Yeah, I've had to spend a lot of extra money to make this happen but I need to be where I'm supposed to be on time, so I have no choice.
Curious how/who you approached UA on these ... I've occasionally had UA try to talk me out of rebooking on AA but when I've politely requested it I've never had a problem -- though it happens just frequently enough to keep my AAdvantage miles from expiring. I've also been in the UC when people have requested rebooking under circumstances where I wouldn't expect it (e.g. weather) and I can't remember the last time there was a seat available and the agent said no. My most recent experience, earlier this year, was when UA canceled the return leg of a same-day turn before my first flight even departed. The auto rebooking on UA was unacceptable (non-stop went to 1-stop and F went to a mix of Y and F) as were other UA options -- I think either far too early in the day or next day. There was zero hesitation about rebooking me on AA from LGA (besides "are you really sure you want to fly American...you probably won't be able to get into the club at LGA?")