Itinerary was FRA-ORD-CLT-ORD-LAX-SYD-AYQ-SYD-BNE-SIN-MAN-FRA.

Bought tickets at FRA airport to get savings compared to UK. UA Ticket agent had not got a clue what to do so was helped out by supervisor. After 1 hour I got tickets and went to check in at First class. Agent said ticket was business class (despite paying for First). Went back to ticket desk to point out mistake, so Supervisor got ticket agent to go to check in to sort it out. No seats in First so I would have to be waitlisted (I had booked the whole itinrary with United over the phone the previous week). Supervisor checked rest of the tickets and said that all was in order. After all passengers had boarded the plane there was 1 seat left in First.

Plane was late arriving at ORD. UA did not delay connection and pushed back right on time, so I had to change to US Air flight.

From LAX to SYD UA lost my luggage so I was 3 days without.

A few days before my return I checked with SQ to see if I could leave OZ 1 day earlier. They put me on waitlist, but told me that my ticket from SIN-MAN was booked in Business. I went to the office in Brisbane to sort it out. At BNE airport I was issued boarding cards indicating First Class from SIN-MAN. However, when I got to SIN the receptionist in the SQ lounge noticed that the card was the RAFFLES Class, but did show First Class code and seat. A ticket agent then came and told me that my ticket was showing Business Class and was not going to allow me to go First. I told him to check Brisbane Office and they would verify that the original ticketing was wrong. He did so and apologised for the trouble caused by UNITED AIRLINES(though he was SINGAPORE AIRLINES)

So, an interesting trip, but much heartache caused by United. My first ever time with them, and if I can it will be my last!!

Hope the flights were better than the bookings!