Well I am still going to purchase the RCC membership as it would be nice to be able to kill many hours in the Air NZ lounge in Melbourne as it's very nice down here.

So I thought I would ring the United number for Australia 131-777, it now goes to India or Malaysia or similar as they closed the Aussie call centre down a while ago.

I asked how do I purchase a RCC membership as via the website it says I need a US billing address for my credit card.

Gave the normal spiel that "I am more than willing to help you with that sir, I would give you the number of the RCC team" Put on hold for a few minutes, she comes back and gives me (510) 810 500. Now being in Australia which I told her on several occastions and I am sure it says on her screen "caller from Australia" she didnt' even tell me that I need to dial 0011 1 etc.

The best part is as I am sure you can realise is that the number is too short to actually work. I asked her 4 times to repear the number, and that there is not enough numbers there, but she insisted that it was correct, aplogised that she couldn't help me and that I had to ring them and then hung up. I also asked her to transfer the call for me, which she said was not possible.

I fail to see why I should pay for a call to the US when I want to purchase somethign that should be able to be done over the web, let alone be given an incorrect number.

I am emailed UA and asked them how I purchase the RCC membership and will wait for their reply. They have always replied withing a few days previously.