Cash payment / Western Union options gone for united.com reservations?
Nov 20, 2012, 1:57 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicagoland/ORD
Programs: UA Million Miler (Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,458
I can't imagine anyone went to the web site to book a trip and truly wanted to pay by cash. I have no inside information at all, but can only imagine this was used way more by people to hold a flight free for a day or two than those that actually paid cash at a western union or airport ticket counter. More surprised it lasted this long than to see it go away.
Nov 20, 2012, 3:04 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,657
If they want to rich Farelock, I hope UA understands that Farelock doesn't work if there are any non UA metal flights. Try going to DME (a former UA destination (RIP) ), there's bound to be a connection in Zurich/FRA/MUC/GVA/BRU.
Anyone remember expert mode?. That was taken away snappy, then put back.
Anyone remember expert mode?. That was taken away snappy, then put back.
Nov 20, 2012, 3:31 pm
#33
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
I suspect United will see a lot more of this. I would have to call and book a ticket from scratch for up fare/complex purposes over the phone. I suspect the average call would be 30-45 minutes. Well, I guess that's how they want do it now.
What kind of idiot doesn't want cash?
Anyway, I'm fine with this as long as the few remaining CTOs still exist, in particular Dawn & the CTO at Penn Station New York.
Suggestion : Why can't UA still make this available for trusted customers, i.e 1Ks, etc? ( sign in required) , the same way a bank/club/hotel would give one privileges?
Maybe I'm old fashioned. Now back to my retirement....
What kind of idiot doesn't want cash?
Anyway, I'm fine with this as long as the few remaining CTOs still exist, in particular Dawn & the CTO at Penn Station New York.
Suggestion : Why can't UA still make this available for trusted customers, i.e 1Ks, etc? ( sign in required) , the same way a bank/club/hotel would give one privileges?
Maybe I'm old fashioned. Now back to my retirement....
Then again, I'm the kind of person that looks at merchants that don't accept credit cards as dinosaurs that will eventually go by the wayside and pays with my phone at coffee shops and convenience stores.
Yes, this is breaking a useful tool to guide money into FareLocks. I used this frequently, but never as abuse, just web site "ease of use".
A one hour hold would meet most of the technical uses, without competing with FareLock. Or simply remove the fare guarantee, but allow holds as before?
In any case, the best pressure on UA would be lots of book-and-cancels. Book one to show the agent, explain carefully this was your only recourse, and have agent cancel your booking after they construct the replacement you desire. (Yes, there's the miles float issue, cash float is easier.)
Also, one should always book two one-ways if possible. The ease with which one can do this, and the cost-benefit analysis, is a recent phenomenon, so this is worth rethinking whatever your past opinion. For reward travel, this provides much more flexibility on rerouting returns, grabbing last-minute Saver First seats, etc. In general, this solves some of the technical problems raised in this thread.
A one hour hold would meet most of the technical uses, without competing with FareLock. Or simply remove the fare guarantee, but allow holds as before?
In any case, the best pressure on UA would be lots of book-and-cancels. Book one to show the agent, explain carefully this was your only recourse, and have agent cancel your booking after they construct the replacement you desire. (Yes, there's the miles float issue, cash float is easier.)
Also, one should always book two one-ways if possible. The ease with which one can do this, and the cost-benefit analysis, is a recent phenomenon, so this is worth rethinking whatever your past opinion. For reward travel, this provides much more flexibility on rerouting returns, grabbing last-minute Saver First seats, etc. In general, this solves some of the technical problems raised in this thread.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Nov 20, 2012 at 3:56 pm Reason: merge
Nov 20, 2012, 4:54 pm
#34
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NYC and SFO
Programs: UA 1MM (former 1K, Delta Platinum))
Posts: 1,244
CO should have simply dropped the price guarantee for "paying by cash". We're probably way ahead of them on the unintended consequences; they probably just realized no one uses cash, no evil intent just lack of situational awareness.
Nov 20, 2012, 6:33 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
Various people in this thread need a reservation modified. Can't be done without a change fee, once booked.
CO should have simply dropped the price guarantee for "paying by cash". We're probably way ahead of them on the unintended consequences; they probably just realized no one uses cash, no evil intent just lack of situational awareness.
CO should have simply dropped the price guarantee for "paying by cash". We're probably way ahead of them on the unintended consequences; they probably just realized no one uses cash, no evil intent just lack of situational awareness.
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps...romoCode=A5753
Nov 26, 2012, 12:21 am
#36
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 4,002
I'm seeing the "Pay by Cash" option (on an itinerary to Mexico departing from YVR).
I have no objection to going to the airport ticket office to pay (I've done this with vouchers in the past). However, may I use a credit card there?
I would be happy to just use the 24-hour refund policy, but I've a couple of tickets that are taking weeks to actually refund, so I want to avoid that if possible.
Solved my own problem. I decided to go for it, and I see this:
Therefore, I will be fine paying by credit card, and in this case I got until midnight, Nov. 29 to pay.
I have no objection to going to the airport ticket office to pay (I've done this with vouchers in the past). However, may I use a credit card there?
I would be happy to just use the 24-hour refund policy, but I've a couple of tickets that are taking weeks to actually refund, so I want to avoid that if possible.
Solved my own problem. I decided to go for it, and I see this:
To complete your purchase do one of the following:
Note your confirmation number and total price of this reservation and visit a Western Union location near you. See instructions and a list of locations. (20.00 CAD per transaction)
Purchase your ticket at an Airport Ticket Office. (a transaction fee may apply)
Pay later using a credit card by signing into your account or by entering your United confirmation number to view your reservation.
You may also call United Reservations from Canada at 1-800-579-3958or in the U.S. at 1-800-396-1751 for assistance (a transaction fee will apply).
Note your confirmation number and total price of this reservation and visit a Western Union location near you. See instructions and a list of locations. (20.00 CAD per transaction)
Purchase your ticket at an Airport Ticket Office. (a transaction fee may apply)
Pay later using a credit card by signing into your account or by entering your United confirmation number to view your reservation.
You may also call United Reservations from Canada at 1-800-579-3958or in the U.S. at 1-800-396-1751 for assistance (a transaction fee will apply).
Last edited by iluv2fly; Nov 26, 2012 at 7:28 am Reason: merge
Nov 26, 2012, 12:31 am
#37
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,010
Nov 27, 2012, 10:16 pm
#40
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Tit, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Carlson Gold, UA*S,
Posts: 1,365
Payment by Western Union has disappeared
Anyone notice that the option to pay with Western Union or Purchase Ticket at the Airport has been removed?
I always found it very useful to "hold" flights for 24 hours as you didn't need to pay anything... better than using the FareLock feature.
Why has it been removed?
I always found it very useful to "hold" flights for 24 hours as you didn't need to pay anything... better than using the FareLock feature.
Why has it been removed?
Nov 27, 2012, 10:23 pm
#42
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,010
a number of payment options were removed two weeks ago.
see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ervations.html for speculation on why.
(hint -- these options were not intent to be used as a "hold" or way to avoid farelock)
Farelock is still available (and likely to stay as a revenue source).
see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ervations.html for speculation on why.
(hint -- these options were not intent to be used as a "hold" or way to avoid farelock)
Farelock is still available (and likely to stay as a revenue source).
Nov 29, 2012, 11:26 am
#43
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 4,002
Was able to use this feature yesterday (Nov. 28, 2012).
My reminder email says:
Your ticket purchase is not complete and is subject to cancellation if not purchased by 12 midnight (CT) on Sat., Dec. 1, 2012.
Does this mean 23:59:59 on November 30, or does it mean 23:59:59 on December 1?
My reminder email says:
Your ticket purchase is not complete and is subject to cancellation if not purchased by 12 midnight (CT) on Sat., Dec. 1, 2012.
Does this mean 23:59:59 on November 30, or does it mean 23:59:59 on December 1?
Nov 29, 2012, 12:18 pm
#44
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
Was able to use this feature yesterday (Nov. 28, 2012).
My reminder email says:
Your ticket purchase is not complete and is subject to cancellation if not purchased by 12 midnight (CT) on Sat., Dec. 1, 2012.
Does this mean 23:59:59 on November 30, or does it mean 23:59:59 on December 1?
My reminder email says:
Your ticket purchase is not complete and is subject to cancellation if not purchased by 12 midnight (CT) on Sat., Dec. 1, 2012.
Does this mean 23:59:59 on November 30, or does it mean 23:59:59 on December 1?
Nov 29, 2012, 12:26 pm
#45
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 4,002