I've been having a nightmare with SkyAuction (a web site that auctions off airlines' surplus seats) and (in this case) United.

It started with an auction for seat(s) from SFO or LAX to Paris, valid 6/1-30. The auction closed on May 9, and I got a seat for $450 (plus $84 in taxes & shipping fee). Great!

When SkyAuction contacted United with my preferred dates, though, it turns out that nothing was "available" from 6/13-27. This on a ticket offerred for 6/1-30 - exactly half the month (the better half, we'll note) apparently blacked out!! And 6/28-30 not exactly useful since travel had to be completed by 6/30. That's the United part of this problem.

I realize the SkyAuction site says you need to be "flexible," but to me that means go Tuesday if Monday's no good...it doesn't mean the airline can list June 1-30 when in fact June 1-12 is all you can get (and who knows what troubles coming back).

As for the SkyAuction part of the problem, they prefer to work by e-mail (and tell you this if you call), yet don't seem willing to respond to e-mail. I had e-mailed them 5/10 with my preferred dates of travel; they didn't respond with unavailability until 5/17. Much back and forth over the next week (including the dreaded telephone); on 5/25 she said she had my seats confirmed (did my Premier Executive status help?) and would e-mail me the itinerary...no e-mail ever arrived, so I e-mailed my understanding of the itinerary and told her to go ahead and ticket. 5/28 she e-mailed that "We will proceed with the ticketing" and send via 2nd day Fed-Ex; no ticket by 6/3 evening so I e-mailed (and called 6/4 a.m.): now they say this fare type has expired! And when was SkyAuction going to bother telling me that - when I got to the airport, perhaps?

6/4 SkyAuction said "we'll work on it" (I certainly feel they and United still "owe" me my trip); at noon it was "we should have answer in 1� hours"; by 3:00 (when they close on the east coast) no e-mail, no message, no nothing.

I realize I got a great price, but since then it's been nothing but headaches. Has anybody else had problems (or better luck) with either SkyAuction or this type of ticket on United?

(this message posted on both United & The Buzz bulletin boards)

[This message has been edited by johna (edited 06-05-99).]

Bummer!!! A term from the sixties! It sounds as if you didn't get what you expected, to say the least. I agree with you 100% about what flexibility should mean. Although I have had no experience with SkyAuction, I do have a few thoughts to share on this thread that may be helpful.

I have been able to secure very good fares with the "regulars" (not discount vendors) by utilizing various low fare notification services that are offered by e-mail. I use the following sites, stating my city pair preferences and on a regular basis I receive e-mail notifications of current fares.

Expedia Travel -- Fare Tracker
expedia.msn.com/

One Travel.com -- Last Minute Deals "To receive weekly mailings..."
www.1travel.com/

Travelocity -- Fare Watcher Email
www1.travelocity.com/

In each instance, I gave you the main page link (since some of the sign-up forms cannot be accessed directly), and you will have to work your way to them. I also indicated the key name or phrase of their respective notification service to make it easier to locate. You've had enough roadblocks, already!

For an immediate fare search for any city pair, try this:
Expedia/OTHER TRAVEL PLANNING TOOLS/Fare Compare
Click on: expedia.msn.com/
Scroll down to: OTHER TRAVEL PLANNING TOOLS
Click on: Fare Compare

And last but not least, you may have recourse if you made your purchase with a major credit card. Watch the time frame on this one to protect your rights. This may be your only salvation. Best wishes to you!


[This message has been edited by MRLIMO (edited 08-24-1999).]

Thanks MRLIMO, I knew about one of those links, but not all of them. BIG HELP to me also

Follow up: SkyAuction just called (on a Saturday, no less!) and says the tickets "will go out on Monday" 2nd-day FedEx. So we'll see on Wednesday - stay tuned.

[i]this message also posted on United[/]

Thanks, MRLIMO for those sites. Like Wonderer, I knew about some but not all.

But you have to admit, even they couldn't match $535 SFO to Paris in high season - a great price if the ticket actually comes through!!