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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
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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, 10:55 am
  #1006  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
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.
No doubt. The maximizers rise from their mother's basement when these things happen and they're still not happy
LufthansaFlyer is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:55 am
  #1007  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 61
Originally Posted by tanjatoffifee
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?
Scroll down to just under the price and click on "Add Email address and request a receipt" Fill that inland you'll get a receipt with E-tickets emailed straight away!! After that its just a case of sitting waiting and hoping these fares are honoured!!

You've got to be in it to win it!!
Trevski220 is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:56 am
  #1008  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,859
Originally Posted by HansGolden
United doesn't use Amadeus, so CMT won't work.
If you're booked on LH though, you might get the LH conf number and use that.
Lack is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:56 am
  #1009  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 144
If you live in Denmark and have taken advantage of this mistake fare (it's clearly not a legitimate promotion like the previous sale a few months ago), then UA might honor it. It's plausible that you just happened upon this fare by chance and booked the ticket in good faith.

But if you changed your MP address to a DK one to get this price, or if you fudged with the credit card info, then UA will not only have grounds to void your ticket, but could perhaps even press charges. Also, they might close your Mileageplus account and confiscate your miles.
And I hope they do! This is obviously not a real fare, it is obviously a mistake, and you are taking advantage of that, full knowing that it is a mistake. Your intentions are to steal a ticket from UA, and I hope UA tries every trick in the book to get out of honoring it. Perhaps they'll fail and will be forced to honor the ticket. Good for you I guess for getting away with it.

But in that case, UA is legally allowed to cancel your MP account (the terms and conditions are one-sided), I do hope they do that. You are hurting the airline that I fly with, the Frequent Flyer Program that I use, and me, since I pay for my tickets and my ticket prices might go up because of this nonsense.
augias84 is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:56 am
  #1010  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FRA/MUC/NUE
Programs: M&M SEN, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 315
Originally Posted by Lack
If you're booked on LH though, you might get the LH conf number and use that.
Works, can confirm that.
FlyingLasse is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:57 am
  #1011  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA / San Francisco, CA
Programs: BA Gold, TK Elite Plus
Posts: 1,150
Originally Posted by rehoult
AVS doesn't check country to my knowledge, so I'm not sure exactly how it would handle that. Best guess, based on your address (ignoring the country) the provider would be able to determine your actual billing country. What they could do with that information I don't know.
From 10 Main Street, Podunk CA 12345, AVS "sees" and checks 10 12345.

There is no way for them to confirm the country from the information provided, unless they manually search google maps for them, for every single purchase.
dera is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:57 am
  #1012  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 208
Just released that I booked 14 May leaving to LAX, and return on 16 May instead of 26 May....holy molly, 2 days in LA.

Well well.
FlyerTalker0101 is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:58 am
  #1013  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: AS MVPG, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 983
Great deal, but this still doesn't beat the YYZ-LCA $33 biz deal, where 2 zeros were left off.....LOL.
soonerfanatic is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:58 am
  #1014  
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by USAJerry
Have you ever flown before? Just sit back and relax because you're good. Too many people with self-inflicted drama are ruining the good times for everyone else.
Just once and I wasn't buying the tickets. I'm really sorry for ruining the good times, but I don't know the procedures. So now I wait for their response? How about check-in?
tanjatoffifee is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:59 am
  #1015  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Purgatory
Programs: Too many to list. Status is a half dozen.
Posts: 9,235
I like how many people seem to know to a certainty what is going to happen.

The US Powerball lottery is up to at least $450 million. Could you provide me the 5 numbers and the powerball number please?
ArizonaGuy is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:59 am
  #1016  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
Originally Posted by augias84
If you live in Denmark and have taken advantage of this mistake fare (it's clearly not a legitimate promotion like the previous sale a few months ago), then UA might honor it. It's plausible that you just happened upon this fare by chance and booked the ticket in good faith.

But if you changed your MP address to a DK one to get this price, or if you fudged with the credit card info, then UA will not only have grounds to void your ticket, but could perhaps even press charges. Also, they might close your Mileageplus account and confiscate your miles.
And I hope they do! This is obviously not a real fare, it is obviously a mistake, and you are taking advantage of that, full knowing that it is a mistake. Your intentions are to steal a ticket from UA, and I hope UA tries every trick in the book to get out of honoring it. Perhaps they'll fail and will be forced to honor the ticket. Good for you I guess for getting away with it.

But in that case, UA is legally allowed to cancel your MP account (the terms and conditions are one-sided), I do hope they do that. You are hurting the airline that I fly with, the Frequent Flyer Program that I use, and me, since I pay for my tickets and my ticket prices might go up because of this nonsense.
Well said. Plus by bragging on this or other threads one provides evidence that you knew this was a mistake and still went ahead and bragged about booking 10 tickets.
LufthansaFlyer is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:59 am
  #1017  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 89
Originally Posted by augias84
If you live in Denmark and have taken advantage of this mistake fare (it's clearly not a legitimate promotion like the previous sale a few months ago), then UA might honor it. It's plausible that you just happened upon this fare by chance and booked the ticket in good faith.

But if you changed your MP address to a DK one to get this price, or if you fudged with the credit card info, then UA will not only have grounds to void your ticket, but could perhaps even press charges. Also, they might close your Mileageplus account and confiscate your miles.
And I hope they do! This is obviously not a real fare, it is obviously a mistake, and you are taking advantage of that, full knowing that it is a mistake. Your intentions are to steal a ticket from UA, and I hope UA tries every trick in the book to get out of honoring it. Perhaps they'll fail and will be forced to honor the ticket. Good for you I guess for getting away with it.

But in that case, UA is legally allowed to cancel your MP account (the terms and conditions are one-sided), I do hope they do that. You are hurting the airline that I fly with, the Frequent Flyer Program that I use, and me, since I pay for my tickets and my ticket prices might go up because of this nonsense.
And you wonder why no one invites you to parties..
IancoleTX is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:59 am
  #1018  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: IAD,MOW
Programs: PMUA
Posts: 247
Originally Posted by augias84
If you live in Denmark and have taken advantage of this mistake fare (it's clearly not a legitimate promotion like the previous sale a few months ago), then UA might honor it. It's plausible that you just happened upon this fare by chance and booked the ticket in good faith.

But if you changed your MP address to a DK one to get this price, or if you fudged with the credit card info, then UA will not only have grounds to void your ticket, but could perhaps even press charges. Also, they might close your Mileageplus account and confiscate your miles.
And I hope they do! This is obviously not a real fare, it is obviously a mistake, and you are taking advantage of that, full knowing that it is a mistake. Your intentions are to steal a ticket from UA, and I hope UA tries every trick in the book to get out of honoring it. Perhaps they'll fail and will be forced to honor the ticket. Good for you I guess for getting away with it.

But in that case, UA is legally allowed to cancel your MP account (the terms and conditions are one-sided), I do hope they do that. You are hurting the airline that I fly with, the Frequent Flyer Program that I use, and me, since I pay for my tickets and my ticket prices might go up because of this nonsense.
sounds like someone is jealous that missed that deal, but kind of agree that UA is legally allowed to cancel that reservation since Denmark trick was used
Karlson is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 10:59 am
  #1019  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 39
Where is the fare rules listed? I don't see it on the itinerary or eticket page.
thuctrang is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2015, 11:00 am
  #1020  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: TK Elite+
Posts: 80
Originally Posted by augias84
If you live in Denmark and have taken advantage of this mistake fare (it's clearly not a legitimate promotion like the previous sale a few months ago), then UA might honor it. It's plausible that you just happened upon this fare by chance and booked the ticket in good faith.

But if you changed your MP address to a DK one to get this price, or if you fudged with the credit card info, then UA will not only have grounds to void your ticket, but could perhaps even press charges. Also, they might close your Mileageplus account and confiscate your miles.
And I hope they do! This is obviously not a real fare, it is obviously a mistake, and you are taking advantage of that, full knowing that it is a mistake. Your intentions are to steal a ticket from UA, and I hope UA tries every trick in the book to get out of honoring it. Perhaps they'll fail and will be forced to honor the ticket. Good for you I guess for getting away with it.

But in that case, UA is legally allowed to cancel your MP account (the terms and conditions are one-sided), I do hope they do that. You are hurting the airline that I fly with, the Frequent Flyer Program that I use, and me, since I pay for my tickets and my ticket prices might go up because of this nonsense.
Boo hoo.
trello is offline  


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