Originally Posted by
WineCountryUA
First, VDB by UA are ETCs, no cash. (as you see in the VDB thread). The expectation for cash was misplaced.
They made a offer and UA accepted, they misunderstand the offer. Did they every specifically say CASH and not ETC. Because if they had the discussion would have ended. So offer made and accepted, no IDB.
The truth is the GA does not have the time to play games with passengers. You are either offering or not.
No offer was made, except to wait on the agent to confirm that $2,000 cash would be approved. I'm no lawyer, but I think both sides still have to agree to terms... right? If United had said NO to cash, that would have ended negotiations.
Edited to add...
EC261 article 4, bolding mine.
Denied boarding
1. When an operating air carrier reasonably expects to deny boarding on a flight, it shall first call for volunteers to surrender their reservations
in exchange for benefits under conditions to be agreed between the passenger concerned and the operating air carrier. Volunteers shall be assisted in accordance with Article 8, such assistance being additional to the benefits mentioned in this paragraph.