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[PREM FARE GONE] UA: NCL-EWR 600 DKK (mistaken fare) DOT ruled; see wiki for link

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Old Feb 11, 2015, 11:49 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: drewguy
If you've never gone through this process read this before posting!
Note: Please consider that with high probability, United is monitoring this thread, so please pay attention on what you post!

DOT Investigation UpdatesNews Media Updates:

-------

According to USA Today, Ben Mutzabaugh:
United is voiding the bookings of several thousand individuals who were attempting to take advantage of an error a third-party software provider made when it applied an incorrect currency exchange rate, despite United having properly filed its fares. Most of these bookings were for travel originating in the United Kingdom, and the level of bookings made with Danish Kroner as the local currency was significantly higher than normal during the limited period that customers made these bookings.
Note that United has also accidentally cancelled "legitimate" tickets paid for in USD, purchased in USD from LHR... Please check your other tickets if purchased today to ensure they were not unilaterally cancelled.

However, there is no chance at all that you can have your tickets re-instated if you complain to DOT on the basis of DOT rule § 399.88:
§ 399.88 Prohibition on post-purchase price increase.

(a) It is an unfair and deceptive practice within the meaning of 49 U.S.C. 41712 for any seller of scheduled air transportation within, to or from the United States, or of a tour (i.e., a combination of air transportation and ground or cruise accommodations), or tour component (e.g., a hotel stay) that includes scheduled air transportation within, to or from the United States, to increase the price of that air transportation, tour or tour component to a consumer, including but not limited to an increase in the price of the seat, an increase in the price for the carriage of passenger baggage, or an increase in an applicable fuel surcharge, after the air transportation has been purchased by the consumer, except in the case of an increase in a government-imposed tax or fee. A purchase is deemed to have occurred when the full amount agreed upon has been paid by the consumer.
Form for filing DOT complaint. File complaint as soon as your ticket is cancelled.

Link to PDF of enforcement bodies for European customers affected. File complaint as soon as your ticket is cancelled.


Tips for DOT Complaint:
  • File on DOT for every ticket number affected.
  • If you have one reservation with four people traveling (four tickets) file 4 DOT complaints, one per ticket.
  • If you have separate reservations, file a DOT complaint for each.
  • The DOT complaint website may take several minutes to load, depending on demand.
  • When you go to upload a file, be careful as it will reset all your radio buttons. So, if you want a copy of the complaint, make sure you double check that "Yes" is still selected before submitting, especially if you upload a file.

Template For Complaint:
United has unilaterally cancelled my ticket without my consent.

Facts:
1. The ticket was ticketed (had a ticket number).
2. I received a confirmation number, ticket number, and emails stating both
3. The ticket was paid for and my credit card charged.

United must reinstate the ticket within its original cabin. This trip is for travel TO the United States.

At no time during the booking process was any other fare than the Danish Krone equivalent displayed. As a reasonable, prudent consumer, I believed I was paying the price displayed to me on the website. United never sent or displayed the equivalent fare in any other currency.

Trip Details
Ticket #: 016XXXXXXXXXX
PNR: XXXXXX
Routing: LHR-EWR-LAX-HNL

Attachments: Attached is a document showing the ticket, routing, and providing proof that the reservation was ticketed.

Filename: Cancelled - UA Reservation - LHR-EWR-LAX-HNL - XXXXXX - 016XXXXXXXXXX.pdf

+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Relevant Law |
| http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/399.88 |
+-------------------------------------------------------+
§ 399.88 Prohibition on post-purchase price increase.

(a) It is an unfair and deceptive practice within the meaning of 49 U.S.C. 41712 for any seller of scheduled air transportation within, to or from the United States, or of a tour (i.e., a combination of air transportation and ground or cruise accommodations), or tour component (e.g., a hotel stay) that includes scheduled air transportation within, to or from the United States, to increase the price of that air transportation, tour or tour component to a consumer, including but not limited to an increase in the price of the seat, an increase in the price for the carriage of passenger baggage, or an increase in an applicable fuel surcharge, after the air transportation has been purchased by the consumer, except in the case of an increase in a government-imposed tax or fee. A purchase is deemed to have occurred when the full amount agreed upon has been paid by the consumer.

+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Relevant FAQ |
| http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/EAPP_2_FAQ.pdf |
+-------------------------------------------------------+
Does the prohibition on post-purchase price increases in section 399.88(a) apply in the situation where a carrier mistakenly offers an airfare due to a computer problem or human error and a consumer purchases the ticket at that fare before the carrier is able to fix the mistake?

Section 399.88(a) states that it is an unfair and deceptive practice for any seller of scheduled air transportation within, to, or from the United States, or of a tour or tour component that includes scheduled air transportation within, to, or from the United States, to increase the price of that air transportation to a consumer after the air transportation has been purchased by the consumer, except in the case of a government-imposed tax or fee and only if the passenger is advised of a possible increase before purchasing a ticket. A purchase occurs when the full amount agreed upon has been paid by the consumer. Therefore, if a consumer purchases a fare and that consumer receives confirmation (such as a confirmation email and/or the purchase appears on their credit card statement or online account summary) of their purchase, then the seller of air transportation cannot increase the price of that air transportation to that consumer, even when the fare is a “mistake.”
-----
Tips for retrieving your ticket number:
  1. paste(right click copy link location first) following link into your web browser
  2. change XXXXXX next to COPNR= for your reservation number and LASTNAME next to LN= for you SURNAME
  3. go to the webpage address you have just created

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/app...NRCD=2/11/2015


Originally Posted by MatthewLAX
Originally Posted by MatthewLAX View Post
R E L A X

Breathe deep.

Congrats on all who got in.

Now comes the fun part.

1. Discovery - mistake fare is posted on FT. Novices frantically checks how much vacation time they have and if the dates of availability mesh with their schedules. Experienced FTers just book it and worry about contacting spouses or their boss later. Word spreads like wildfire.

2. Excitement - Tickets purchased, confirmation emails received and dates of travel shared with other FTers. Discussions of what to see and do and where to stay crop up in other threads. Novices contact source to change seats or inquire about upgrades, Seasoned FTers sit back and enjoy reading the discussion threads.

3. Stress Stage 1 - Concern over paper ticket delivery - Novices Frantically check otheFedEx website every few hours, constant monitoring of driveway for FedEx truck. Seasoned FT veterans sit back and relax.

4. Glee and happiness - Paper tickets in hand, vacation request submitted, spouses finally informed, hotel reservations made and bragging to friends and co-workers begins. Both novices and experts get very excited.

5. Stress Stage 2 - Rumors of fare not being honored, discussion threads about the airline and ticketing agency ensue. Rumors crop up like crabgrass at this stage. Many FTers begin to worry excessively about whether or not the trip will happen. Novices make non-refundable and financial committments to their trip. Seasoned FTers make mixed drinks (and maybe a sandwich) and is patient.

6. Reality Check - Accurate information is obtained - usually takes place a week to 10 days after mistake fare is published. Confirmed information from the source as to whether or not tickets will be honored.

7a. Pure Joy (Icelandair style- Fare is Honored) - Lots of happy people, FT threads on shared information regarding hotels, restaurants, tours, etc. Jealousy from others sets in. First "FT guinea pigs" embark, post confirmation threads that all is ok.


7b Hostile Feelings (Copa Airlines Style - fare is not honored) - Many angry and disappointed FTers. Refunds are issued. Novices have multiple discussion threads of lawsuits and hostile correspondence, FT pros mutter "c'est la vie" and look for the next fare mistake.

8a Success (Honored) - Trip Report thread becomes very active


Freedom of Information Act Request
File #2015-147, Office of the Secretary of Transportation - Receipt acknowledged 3/13/15

http://www.dot.gov/individuals/foia/office-secretary-foia-information

Relevant excerpt from my request on 2/24/15. There no need for multiple requests for the same thing, though feel free to request more or different information obviously. I'll post any updates as I get them.

"Under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S. C. subsection 552, I am requesting access to any and all records of correspondence, including electronic, between anyone working for, or on the behalf of, United Airlines and its subsidiaries, and with anyone working for, or on the behalf of, the Department of Transportation; specifically this would include only the date range beginning on February 11th, 2015 through and including February 24th, 2015.

In addition, I am requesting access to any and all internal records and correspondence in relation to coming to the decision made on February 23rd, 2015 regarding the Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings Determination Regarding United Airlines Mistaken Fare, with the exception of any of the consumer submitted complaints via phone, email, website, or letter. Specifically, this would be any records beginning on February 11th, 2015 through and including February 24th, 2015."
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[PREM FARE GONE] UA: NCL-EWR 600 DKK (mistaken fare) DOT ruled; see wiki for link

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Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:45 am
  #976  
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,130
There's a UA statement in the Daily Mail article that Kadence links to above:

According to a statement provided to MailOnline Travel: 'United is looking into an issue whereby a third-party software provider applied an incorrect exchange rate for tickets sold from the airline’s Denmark website.
'We have temporarily suspended sales from the Denmark website and are working to resolve the issue with the provider.'

Last edited by Wingnut; Feb 11, 2015 at 10:47 am Reason: Capitalisation, innit.
Wingnut is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:45 am
  #977  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,838
Originally Posted by tylerc
Without reading all the pages, anyone's lx ticket?
Yes. Took 20mins, see on LX site, can select seats, etc.
mlqsko is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:45 am
  #978  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NAP
Programs: LH, BA, TK
Posts: 2,409
Originally Posted by mlqsko
62.430 visits. This insider must be hot .
Forrest Bump is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:46 am
  #979  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: Yorkshire Coastliner
Posts: 1,278
Still can't see my reservation on CMT. Anyone else?
patgarrett is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:46 am
  #980  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 845
Originally Posted by tanjatoffifee
Hello!

I booked 2 tickets from London to NYC for 121 eur (9.30CT) Tickets have been charged. However I still didn't receive the confirmation e-mail. Should I write them back?

Go to UA.com and scroll down to where you can see the total paid. Under the fare there should be a "view receipt" link.


Click it and your tix number should be there.
B747forever is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:46 am
  #981  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: LAS,LAX,SEA
Programs: AA,UA/CO, SPG50, Hilton Gold
Posts: 430
Originally Posted by tylerc
Without reading all the pages, anyone's lx ticket?
yes - good luck
Bacopa is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:47 am
  #982  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 274
Originally Posted by northdakota
Guy gets $10k first class ticket for $50 and grumbles over $80 charge. You're what's wrong with this world.
"It's the principle of the thing!"

The speed at which people transition from awestruck and thrilled to entitled and indignant is fascinating.
MarcusBWI is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:48 am
  #983  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 33
Originally Posted by briantoronto
Walk away and enjoy the rest of your day.
I think I might just do that considering I managed to pay two other tickets with the credit card which got through. Should have done the subsequent ones as well. Never ever will this mistake happen again.
constituo is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:48 am
  #984  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA Hub Captive
Programs: DL GM, FL A+ Elite, WN A List
Posts: 303
My itin is showing on United but my segment on Austrian Airlines is not showing up...

LH segments all showing fine.
tfc3rid is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:48 am
  #985  
formerly ThePinkUnicornShirtGuy
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Franklin, TN
Programs: Delta Diamond
Posts: 418
Originally Posted by FlyHigh23
How does one get this fixed, $80 vs $12 isnt a lot for one ticket but for people that made multiple awards it adds up -- sorry if it sounds like I'm grumbling over a good deal but it's just the point.
Uhhh - the point of what? You being THAT ....ing cheap - you take toilet paper from restaurant bathrooms, don't you?
The BNA Gentleman is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:48 am
  #986  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
Flyertalk would be less fun if these crazy glitches didn't happen periodically.

Just keep the expectations low.
iahphx is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:48 am
  #987  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
United should be lining up the lawyers as we speak when they cancel these fares.
LufthansaFlyer is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:49 am
  #988  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 462
Originally Posted by FlyHigh23
How does one get this fixed, $80 vs $12 isnt a lot for one ticket but for people that made multiple awards it adds up -- sorry if it sounds like I'm grumbling over a good deal but it's just the point.
If you really care about such .... for a basically free ticket just cancel you reservations.
Tazmania is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:49 am
  #989  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PWM/CDG
Programs: AF/KL Plat, AA Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 789
Originally Posted by nerdbirdsjc
Dont.Go.There.

And the answer as usual for these sorts of fares is heck no -- you'll be re-priced if you try to change prior to departure.
However, after departure YMMV. On the RGN deal, I had a DL issued tix, and DL fully honoured it as a flexible fare and I could make changes after departure (changing dates, routing, stopovers...)
I also had a NH issued one, and they wouldn't change it without fully repricing it, even after departure.
Oxymore is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:49 am
  #990  
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by Trevski220
if You've got your booking reference then log in to booking and see if its been Ticketed
yes, it has been ticketed it says:

This reservation was ticketed and confirmed on Wed., 11 Feb., 2015 at 09:30 Central Time.

What should I do now?
tanjatoffifee is offline  


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