Apr 21, 2014, 11:37 am
Last edit by: Pat89339
A number of folks with award flights booked on CA (Air China) found their reservations cancelled. The only notification of cancellation appears to be an email in from UA written in chinese. UA reps confirmed that cancellations were made online and CA award space was no longer available. UA can rebook on other flights when award space is available.
It is plausible that a third party with access to PNR and pax name on the flight can fraudulently cancel an existing itinerary and book the reopened award seat.
Affected FlyerTalk members — with links to where in this discussion they posted their experiences — include:
It is plausible that a third party with access to PNR and pax name on the flight can fraudulently cancel an existing itinerary and book the reopened award seat.
Affected FlyerTalk members — with links to where in this discussion they posted their experiences — include:
- MikeMpls
- nihaoa
- lewende Reported 4 friends with this issue
- ordbkk
- twebst
- kb1992
- litesleeper
- zombietooth
- critten Reported 2/3 confirmations (3 people CA Business class) cancelled at the same time
- skyvanman Also 1 friend with the issue
- chris1234
- atiger29
- bubble o bill
- genemk2
- jefftiger
- CuddlyFlyer
- gpeso8
- imm2b
- acf1270
- dgxoxo
- ACM two passengers
It seems everybody wants to see the message.. here was mine:
united.com 通知 - 航班预订取消
2014年4月17日 (星期四)
united.com | 优惠促销 | 预订 | 赢取前程万里 (MileagePlus®) 奖励里程 | 我的帐户
先生 ORDBKK
您的预订 MYRES123 已取消，我们已收到您的退款申请。申请信用卡退款需 7 个工作日。如果信用卡退款未在一个付款周期内寄出，请联系信用卡公司。对于包括现金退款在内的 所有其他形式 的付款，需要 20 个工作日。
如需详细信息或查看退款的状态，请访问 united.com 并提供您的机票号码。
感谢您使用 united.com
电子邮件信息
请不要使用“回复”地址回复此邮件。
此电子邮件中的信息仅供原接收人使用。
如果您遇到技术问题，请通过电子邮件或电话联系 united.com 服务支持。
通知：机票取消确认
电子邮件地址: ORDBKK@MYEMAIL
2014年4月17日 (星期四)
united.com | 优惠促销 | 预订 | 赢取前程万里 (MileagePlus®) 奖励里程 | 我的帐户
先生 ORDBKK
您的预订 MYRES123 已取消，我们已收到您的退款申请。申请信用卡退款需 7 个工作日。如果信用卡退款未在一个付款周期内寄出，请联系信用卡公司。对于包括现金退款在内的 所有其他形式 的付款，需要 20 个工作日。
如需详细信息或查看退款的状态，请访问 united.com 并提供您的机票号码。
感谢您使用 united.com
电子邮件信息
请不要使用“回复”地址回复此邮件。
此电子邮件中的信息仅供原接收人使用。
如果您遇到技术问题，请通过电子邮件或电话联系 united.com 服务支持。
通知：机票取消确认
电子邮件地址: ORDBKK@MYEMAIL
Originally Posted by ordbkk View Post
For tracking purposes, I went through the 27 pages of this thread and compiled a list of those affected:
MikeMpls
nihaoa
lewende (reported 4 friends with this issue)
ordbkk
twebst
kb1992
litesleeper
zombietooth
critten
skyvanman (also 1 friend with the issue)
jefftiger (but, happened during October 2013)
So we're at 13 people affected, although some like critten have had multiple trips canceled.
From what I understand, all of these occurred in the last 3 weeks.
For tracking purposes, I went through the 27 pages of this thread and compiled a list of those affected:
MikeMpls
nihaoa
lewende (reported 4 friends with this issue)
ordbkk
twebst
kb1992
litesleeper
zombietooth
critten
skyvanman (also 1 friend with the issue)
jefftiger (but, happened during October 2013)
So we're at 13 people affected, although some like critten have had multiple trips canceled.
From what I understand, all of these occurred in the last 3 weeks.
2014 UA Issued Awards on Air China (CA) Are Mysteriously Being Canceled (Hacked?)
Apr 21, 2014, 4:46 pm
#466
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 734
But this is straying from very obnoxious events being reported in this thread.
Apr 21, 2014, 4:59 pm
#467
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,338
Mine three F award tickets are still effective, although the travel date is over 2 months from now.
Fingers crossed it won't happed to me.
Fingers crossed it won't happed to me.
Apr 21, 2014, 5:00 pm
#468
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Wherever
Programs: UA 1MM for a while now, AS for a minute, BAEC newly minted Gold
Posts: 1,173
Star Alliance Criteria
Here is my take on this issue:
Someone in China had access to Air China reservation system for MP+ awards. Only needed UA PNR+last name to cancel CA F/C awards from UA China site, hence the Chinese email notification.
If those affected could send original e-tickets and approximate time of cancellation to UA+CA, then it's not hard to track down those identical awards booked shortly after. Dates, flights, cabins match the cancelled PNRs.
This requires CA cooperation to nail down possible beneficiaries of this scam.
Someone in China had access to Air China reservation system for MP+ awards. Only needed UA PNR+last name to cancel CA F/C awards from UA China site, hence the Chinese email notification.
If those affected could send original e-tickets and approximate time of cancellation to UA+CA, then it's not hard to track down those identical awards booked shortly after. Dates, flights, cabins match the cancelled PNRs.
This requires CA cooperation to nail down possible beneficiaries of this scam.
V/r,
-Cyborg
Apr 21, 2014, 5:02 pm
#470
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
Apr 21, 2014, 5:28 pm
#471
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 166
When do you think UA Insider will actually respond to this issue? If I'm a Customer Service/Relations guru who is charged with communicating with HVFs, I'd be completely ashamed of not responding/not being allowed to respond to something this serious in a reasonable amount of time.
Wow, just wow. This airline is imploding almost as fast as Enron.
Wow, just wow. This airline is imploding almost as fast as Enron.
Apr 21, 2014, 5:33 pm
#472
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K/*G
Posts: 276
When do you think UA Insider will actually respond to this issue? If I'm a Customer Service/Relations guru who is charged with communicating with HVFs, I'd be completely ashamed of not responding/not being allowed to respond to something this serious in a reasonable amount of time.
I don't disagree that they should response on this web forum for people optimizing frequent flyer mile usage, but who are the HVFs?
Apr 21, 2014, 5:35 pm
#473
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: India, & Great State of TEXAS
Programs: AA EX-Plat ** , UA 1K, IHG platinum
Posts: 102
Apr 21, 2014, 5:37 pm
#474
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,338
I am not sure if I should call Air China to assign my 3 first class seats.....a little suspicious whether this could be an inside job done at Air China.....just suspicious.
Air China has our last names and United booking record on file.....@:-)
Air China has our last names and United booking record on file.....@:-)
Apr 21, 2014, 5:38 pm
#475
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,338
Apr 21, 2014, 5:39 pm
#476
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: India, & Great State of TEXAS
Programs: AA EX-Plat ** , UA 1K, IHG platinum
Posts: 102
When do you think UA Insider will actually respond to this issue? If I'm a Customer Service/Relations guru who is charged with communicating with HVFs, I'd be completely ashamed of not responding/not being allowed to respond to something this serious in a reasonable amount of time.
Apr 21, 2014, 5:55 pm
#477
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Delta Plat, UA Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 258
Ca record code booked on ua has no use on ca website, I think!!!
Apr 21, 2014, 6:05 pm
#478
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,912
If there is a fraud taking place then all parties involved - travelers, UA, CA are impacted and most certainly they all would like to identify and address the issue. It's not gonna happen instantly though.
Threats of lawsuits etc thrown around here are VERY counterproductive and they don't add credibility to this thread. This will only complicate cooperation and delay resolution.
I urge everyone to focus on facts and those impacted update details in the wiki to make is easier for all of us (as well as UA or CA) to follow and help with resolution.
Threats of lawsuits etc thrown around here are VERY counterproductive and they don't add credibility to this thread. This will only complicate cooperation and delay resolution.
I urge everyone to focus on facts and those impacted update details in the wiki to make is easier for all of us (as well as UA or CA) to follow and help with resolution.
Apr 21, 2014, 6:09 pm
#479
Suspended
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,961
An actual lawsuit might not do much for the individual involved, but 'talk of lawsuits' seems probably helpful to get UA's attention. They seem inclined to ignore anything they think they can ignore. So far, this hasn't cost UA anything, which explains why they have done nothing as far as anyone can see, not even opening up availability on their own flights for people affected, or informing customer service agents so that they don't insult and deride the victims who call in.
Apr 21, 2014, 6:56 pm
#480
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 83
Any suggestions? I wouldn't mind dropping them a line.