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)
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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。
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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?)
#751
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Saigon/Hanoi/San Francisco
Posts: 1,779
I didn't know about this thread until I read Matt's blog.
I had the exact same issue in Dec., 2013. Out of no where 2 F awards on Air China were canceled. I received an email from United in Chinese about the cancelation. Luckily, UA was able to reinstate the same CA flight. After the unbelievably bad CA F experience, I wished they stayed canceled.
Superior to OZ? LOL! I'd say on par or below UA C
To be fair, I was on the old 747's which had the old F seats and antiquated AVOD. If you are on 777's, they are much improved. CA F food is of low end Chinese restaurant quality (out of SFO). FAs don't speak much English, if you can speak Chinese, this shouldn't matter. Set your expectation low, you'll be fine. Perhaps, I was unlucky and my flight was an abnormally.
I had the exact same issue in Dec., 2013. Out of no where 2 F awards on Air China were canceled. I received an email from United in Chinese about the cancelation. Luckily, UA was able to reinstate the same CA flight. After the unbelievably bad CA F experience, I wished they stayed canceled.
To be fair, I was on the old 747's which had the old F seats and antiquated AVOD. If you are on 777's, they are much improved. CA F food is of low end Chinese restaurant quality (out of SFO). FAs don't speak much English, if you can speak Chinese, this shouldn't matter. Set your expectation low, you'll be fine. Perhaps, I was unlucky and my flight was an abnormally.
Last edited by imm2b; Apr 28, 2014 at 2:51 pm
#752
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
#753
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
I had the exact same issue in Dec., 2013. Out of no where 2 F awards on Air China were canceled. I received an email from United in Chinese about the cancelation. Luckily, UA were able to reinstate the same CA flight. After the unbelievably bad CA F experience, I wished they stayed canceled.
#754
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BKK
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,395
OT, but for future reference, the quickest way to check on a thread where you've previously posted is to use the MyFlyerTalk button or links.
#755
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Delta Plat, UA Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 258
UPDATE:
Response by CA in regards to the award booking.
"The mileage award seats allocated for the CA flights in question were limited and were used as follows: 2 seats were used by CX, 2 seats were used by AC, 1 seat was used by US Airways and 4 seats were used by UA. None of these seats were allocated or given to CA customers. When an airline such as UA cancels its allocated and reserved mileage award seats, CA cannot allocate more mileage award seats for use by UA ticketed passengers after CA cancels its reserved mileage award seats, as this would open the door to a carrier such as UA controlling the restricted inventory of CA seats to be used by UA mileage award passengers."
So the award theory, that CA passengers took the extra award seats, seems wrong. Revenue seats were probably still available (and not affected by award seats?).
I can guess that MAYBE someone on UA canceled and rebooked other UA awards. Seems mighty fishy, and seems that UA may should have a good record on this, if it was rebooked UA.
Thoughts? I am as puzzled as ever!
Response by CA in regards to the award booking.
"The mileage award seats allocated for the CA flights in question were limited and were used as follows: 2 seats were used by CX, 2 seats were used by AC, 1 seat was used by US Airways and 4 seats were used by UA. None of these seats were allocated or given to CA customers. When an airline such as UA cancels its allocated and reserved mileage award seats, CA cannot allocate more mileage award seats for use by UA ticketed passengers after CA cancels its reserved mileage award seats, as this would open the door to a carrier such as UA controlling the restricted inventory of CA seats to be used by UA mileage award passengers."
So the award theory, that CA passengers took the extra award seats, seems wrong. Revenue seats were probably still available (and not affected by award seats?).
I can guess that MAYBE someone on UA canceled and rebooked other UA awards. Seems mighty fishy, and seems that UA may should have a good record on this, if it was rebooked UA.
Thoughts? I am as puzzled as ever!
#756
Suspended
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,961
Why do you say that? It seems to exactly support that theory. CA gives some bogus reason for not letting UA rebook passengers on the seats that were allocated to UA, therefore they become available to CA passengers.
#757
Join Date: Jan 2002
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott lifetime Plt, UA 1MM
Posts: 919
Here is a link to the review
http://www.travelingwiththejones.com...light-service/
#758
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
UPDATE:
Response by CA in regards to the award booking.
"The mileage award seats allocated for the CA flights in question were limited and were used as follows: 2 seats were used by CX, 2 seats were used by AC, 1 seat was used by US Airways and 4 seats were used by UA. None of these seats were allocated or given to CA customers. When an airline such as UA cancels its allocated and reserved mileage award seats, CA cannot allocate more mileage award seats for use by UA ticketed passengers after CA cancels its reserved mileage award seats, as this would open the door to a carrier such as UA controlling the restricted inventory of CA seats to be used by UA mileage award passengers."
So the award theory, that CA passengers took the extra award seats, seems wrong. Revenue seats were probably still available (and not affected by award seats?).
I can guess that MAYBE someone on UA canceled and rebooked other UA awards. Seems mighty fishy, and seems that UA may should have a good record on this, if it was rebooked UA.
Thoughts? I am as puzzled as ever!
Response by CA in regards to the award booking.
"The mileage award seats allocated for the CA flights in question were limited and were used as follows: 2 seats were used by CX, 2 seats were used by AC, 1 seat was used by US Airways and 4 seats were used by UA. None of these seats were allocated or given to CA customers. When an airline such as UA cancels its allocated and reserved mileage award seats, CA cannot allocate more mileage award seats for use by UA ticketed passengers after CA cancels its reserved mileage award seats, as this would open the door to a carrier such as UA controlling the restricted inventory of CA seats to be used by UA mileage award passengers."
So the award theory, that CA passengers took the extra award seats, seems wrong. Revenue seats were probably still available (and not affected by award seats?).
I can guess that MAYBE someone on UA canceled and rebooked other UA awards. Seems mighty fishy, and seems that UA may should have a good record on this, if it was rebooked UA.
Thoughts? I am as puzzled as ever!
#759
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
Here is the response I received from GS:
Dear XXX,
We are well aware of some cancellations that have occurred
programmatically. I am pleased to advise your reservation is intact and
we are confident that the only changes that could occur are schedule
changes that we have no control over.
We advise all of our customers that book travel months in advance to
periodically review the booking online so should there be any changes
that are unsatisfactory, you can alert us so we can do all possible to
resolve the issue for you.
Thank you for your business and loyalty to United.
Best regards,
XXX
Global Services Customer Care
We are well aware of some cancellations that have occurred
programmatically. I am pleased to advise your reservation is intact and
we are confident that the only changes that could occur are schedule
changes that we have no control over.
We advise all of our customers that book travel months in advance to
periodically review the booking online so should there be any changes
that are unsatisfactory, you can alert us so we can do all possible to
resolve the issue for you.
Thank you for your business and loyalty to United.
Best regards,
XXX
Global Services Customer Care
#760
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
UPDATE:
Response by CA in regards to the award booking.
"The mileage award seats allocated for the CA flights in question were limited and were used as follows: 2 seats were used by CX, 2 seats were used by AC, 1 seat was used by US Airways and 4 seats were used by UA. None of these seats were allocated or given to CA customers. When an airline such as UA cancels its allocated and reserved mileage award seats, CA cannot allocate more mileage award seats for use by UA ticketed passengers after CA cancels its reserved mileage award seats, as this would open the door to a carrier such as UA controlling the restricted inventory of CA seats to be used by UA mileage award passengers."
So the award theory, that CA passengers took the extra award seats, seems wrong. Revenue seats were probably still available (and not affected by award seats?).
I can guess that MAYBE someone on UA canceled and rebooked other UA awards. Seems mighty fishy, and seems that UA may should have a good record on this, if it was rebooked UA.
Thoughts? I am as puzzled as ever!
Response by CA in regards to the award booking.
"The mileage award seats allocated for the CA flights in question were limited and were used as follows: 2 seats were used by CX, 2 seats were used by AC, 1 seat was used by US Airways and 4 seats were used by UA. None of these seats were allocated or given to CA customers. When an airline such as UA cancels its allocated and reserved mileage award seats, CA cannot allocate more mileage award seats for use by UA ticketed passengers after CA cancels its reserved mileage award seats, as this would open the door to a carrier such as UA controlling the restricted inventory of CA seats to be used by UA mileage award passengers."
So the award theory, that CA passengers took the extra award seats, seems wrong. Revenue seats were probably still available (and not affected by award seats?).
I can guess that MAYBE someone on UA canceled and rebooked other UA awards. Seems mighty fishy, and seems that UA may should have a good record on this, if it was rebooked UA.
Thoughts? I am as puzzled as ever!
In other words, cancellation of UA award seats would in fact work to the benefit of waitlisted CA customers.
#761
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Delta Plat, UA Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 258
It's ambiguous. But one reading (probably the most reasonable) is that once reserved seats which were originally allocated to UA are cancelled, they return to general inventory and cannot be reallocated for UA awards.
In other words, cancellation of UA award seats would in fact work to the benefit of waitlisted CA customers.
In other words, cancellation of UA award seats would in fact work to the benefit of waitlisted CA customers.
#762
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
It's ambiguous. But one reading (probably the most reasonable) is that once reserved seats which were originally allocated to UA are cancelled, they return to general inventory and cannot be reallocated for UA awards.
In other words, cancellation of UA award seats would in fact work to the benefit of waitlisted CA customers.
In other words, cancellation of UA award seats would in fact work to the benefit of waitlisted CA customers.
If whoever was doing this was actually canceling on UA and then immediately rebooking through UA, then UA should be able to see that and rectify the situation.
#763
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
Ultimately, the only way to know for sure what really happened would be to see the actual record of what happened with the seats. Were they rebooked by UA pax, did they go back in the revenue pool, or were they used for CA award bookings?
And that would be such a gross violation of UA program rules, I would expect some pretty swift and draconian action on UA's part.
#764
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: 10^7 mm from Ȱ
Programs: Hyatt D/HHonors D/ SPG P/ Marriott P/ IHG P/ UA 1K/ AA EXP/ DL D
Posts: 1,976
UPDATE:
Response by CA in regards to the award booking.
"The mileage award seats allocated for the CA flights in question were limited and were used as follows: 2 seats were used by CX, 2 seats were used by AC, 1 seat was used by US Airways and 4 seats were used by UA. None of these seats were allocated or given to CA customers. When an airline such as UA cancels its allocated and reserved mileage award seats, CA cannot allocate more mileage award seats for use by UA ticketed passengers after CA cancels its reserved mileage award seats, as this would open the door to a carrier such as UA controlling the restricted inventory of CA seats to be used by UA mileage award passengers."
So the award theory, that CA passengers took the extra award seats, seems wrong. Revenue seats were probably still available (and not affected by award seats?).
I can guess that MAYBE someone on UA canceled and rebooked other UA awards. Seems mighty fishy, and seems that UA may should have a good record on this, if it was rebooked UA.
Thoughts? I am as puzzled as ever!
Response by CA in regards to the award booking.
"The mileage award seats allocated for the CA flights in question were limited and were used as follows: 2 seats were used by CX, 2 seats were used by AC, 1 seat was used by US Airways and 4 seats were used by UA. None of these seats were allocated or given to CA customers. When an airline such as UA cancels its allocated and reserved mileage award seats, CA cannot allocate more mileage award seats for use by UA ticketed passengers after CA cancels its reserved mileage award seats, as this would open the door to a carrier such as UA controlling the restricted inventory of CA seats to be used by UA mileage award passengers."
So the award theory, that CA passengers took the extra award seats, seems wrong. Revenue seats were probably still available (and not affected by award seats?).
I can guess that MAYBE someone on UA canceled and rebooked other UA awards. Seems mighty fishy, and seems that UA may should have a good record on this, if it was rebooked UA.
Thoughts? I am as puzzled as ever!
AFAIK, the mileage programs mentioned above (CX/AC/US) are widely used in Chinese frequent flyer community.
#765
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Delta Plat, UA Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 258
Just puzzling who knows