ORD-SPI Flight Canceled With no Same-Day Rebooking Available - Other Options/Refund?
#32
Join Date: Mar 2009
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That said, I don't understand why you didn't call your travel agent up to begin with, given all of your troubles. Your agency pays them a fee for each booking to help you out.
#33
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Just wanted to post an update on my adventure - -
Couldn't guarantee a one way car rental on Avis (I travel for the Fed. Govt. and that is the "preferred" rental agency).
So, I hoofed it to terminal 2, caught the Blue Line train, then a taxi to Union Station. Woo hoo, ten minutes to 7 p.m., got my Amtrak ticket to SPI. (train left at 7)
On the train, called UAL to request a refund on the ORD-SPI segment. Today is NOT my day. The UA rep assured me "oh the refund is already being processed." HUH? Since I was confirmed on a Saturday flight, had I stayed in ORD, then why is a refund in process? She didn't know the amount of the refund.
Someone here mentioned I could request the refund of that segment online. I don't see where that is done. Does it matter if my travel is booked by the Fed. Govt. travel agency, not me?
Couldn't guarantee a one way car rental on Avis (I travel for the Fed. Govt. and that is the "preferred" rental agency).
So, I hoofed it to terminal 2, caught the Blue Line train, then a taxi to Union Station. Woo hoo, ten minutes to 7 p.m., got my Amtrak ticket to SPI. (train left at 7)
On the train, called UAL to request a refund on the ORD-SPI segment. Today is NOT my day. The UA rep assured me "oh the refund is already being processed." HUH? Since I was confirmed on a Saturday flight, had I stayed in ORD, then why is a refund in process? She didn't know the amount of the refund.
Someone here mentioned I could request the refund of that segment online. I don't see where that is done. Does it matter if my travel is booked by the Fed. Govt. travel agency, not me?
Glad it worked out.
Go to www.united.com/refunds and request a refund. Mention the flight was canceled, and UA had no reasonable rebooking options, so a refund for this segment is due.
They usually do it just fine, but every once in a while, a refund agent is an idiot and will reject it for some unrelated reason, in which case you'll need to re-request it or escalate. But usually there's no problem.
As for the agency, it doesn't matter. The credit will go back to the credit card used for payment.
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,323
There is no preferred car rental company for the federal government. Your travel agent is required to book you the cheapest option.
That said, I don't understand why you didn't call your travel agent up to begin with, given all of your troubles. Your agency pays them a fee for each booking to help you out.
That said, I don't understand why you didn't call your travel agent up to begin with, given all of your troubles. Your agency pays them a fee for each booking to help you out.
car rental - - always Avis, if we want reimbursement
Doesn't need to be a Y fare. It can be any fare. The flight was canceled, so the OP is allowed to get a refund, even on a non-refundable fare.
And it's not likely to happen. Best bet is to refund the segment and pay out of pocket for alternate arrangements. Hopefully the delta is not terribly huge.
Glad it worked out.
Go to www.united.com/refunds and request a refund. Mention the flight was canceled, and UA had no reasonable rebooking options, so a refund for this segment is due.
They usually do it just fine, but every once in a while, a refund agent is an idiot and will reject it for some unrelated reason, in which case you'll need to re-request it or escalate. But usually there's no problem.
As for the agency, it doesn't matter. The credit will go back to the credit card used for payment.
And it's not likely to happen. Best bet is to refund the segment and pay out of pocket for alternate arrangements. Hopefully the delta is not terribly huge.
Glad it worked out.
Go to www.united.com/refunds and request a refund. Mention the flight was canceled, and UA had no reasonable rebooking options, so a refund for this segment is due.
They usually do it just fine, but every once in a while, a refund agent is an idiot and will reject it for some unrelated reason, in which case you'll need to re-request it or escalate. But usually there's no problem.
As for the agency, it doesn't matter. The credit will go back to the credit card used for payment.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Aug 22, 2014 at 7:21 pm Reason: multi-quote should be used
#35
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS, BWI, DCA, IAD
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Posts: 2,050
Still on the plane, waiting for an open gate.
How do I learn the actual reason for my cancelled flight? If I go on Flightaware, it just confirms that it was cancelled, but no reason given.
Is it likely that air traffic control really did cancel our flight?
RE: renting a car . . . good idea. Since I am on a fully refundable ticket, I guess it makes sense to get the refund and drive. Otherwise, I wait on standby here at ORD for four long hours.
I am actually stunned that UA is not obligated to get me to my final destination which is SPI. The res agent on the phone claimed she will only book me tomorrow (Sat) from ORD to STL. I don't understand.
I understand that I will be refunded for the ORD-SPI segment.
How likely is it that my rental car refund would be honored?
How do I learn the actual reason for my cancelled flight? If I go on Flightaware, it just confirms that it was cancelled, but no reason given.
Is it likely that air traffic control really did cancel our flight?
RE: renting a car . . . good idea. Since I am on a fully refundable ticket, I guess it makes sense to get the refund and drive. Otherwise, I wait on standby here at ORD for four long hours.
I am actually stunned that UA is not obligated to get me to my final destination which is SPI. The res agent on the phone claimed she will only book me tomorrow (Sat) from ORD to STL. I don't understand.
I understand that I will be refunded for the ORD-SPI segment.
How likely is it that my rental car refund would be honored?
#36
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC/ISP
Programs: UA-Plat, United Club
Posts: 486
ORD-SPI Flight Canceled With no Same-Day Rebooking Available - Other Options/Refund?
I don't like the 'get-out-of-jail' that atc canceled the flight that UA (and others) like these days. As someone that works as a controller, we don't cancel flights... There might be big delays if some routes/airports are impacted, but the airlines are on their own to decide to cancel a flight (absent extreme circumstances). This same reason canceled my father's okc-ewr this morning because the e145 never left ewr last night.
-dan
-dan
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,323
I don't like the 'get-out-of-jail' that atc canceled the flight that UA (and others) like these days. As someone that works as a controller, we don't cancel flights... There might be big delays if some routes/airports are impacted, but the airlines are on their own to decide to cancel a flight (absent extreme circumstances). This same reason canceled my father's okc-ewr this morning because the e145 never left ewr last night.
-dan
-dan
ATC was the reason given, but it is frustrating that just 2 hours before, my flight was still showing "on time departure."
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Aug 22, 2014 at 10:20 pm Reason: multi-quote should be used
#41
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Not a chance of the 5:15 at this point, but the 7:00 is still very doable if you hustle.
I wouldn't do a cab this time of day - take the Blue line from ORD and get off at Jackson, from there it will be a 10 minute walk west to Union Station. You could be there as early as 6:00 or 6:15 if you start now.
I wouldn't do a cab this time of day - take the Blue line from ORD and get off at Jackson, from there it will be a 10 minute walk west to Union Station. You could be there as early as 6:00 or 6:15 if you start now.
#42
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#43
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#44
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Glad to hear things worked out.
Meanwhile, the evening flight 8/22 UA5407 ORD-SPI departed on time (9:07 p.m.) and landed early (9:56 p.m.). They cleared all 3 standby pax and departed with 3 empty seats. So, in retrospect, you could have flown standby; and if revenue management had been a little less conservative, UA could have even confirmed you on the flight. So it goes.
Meanwhile, the evening flight 8/22 UA5407 ORD-SPI departed on time (9:07 p.m.) and landed early (9:56 p.m.). They cleared all 3 standby pax and departed with 3 empty seats. So, in retrospect, you could have flown standby; and if revenue management had been a little less conservative, UA could have even confirmed you on the flight. So it goes.
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,323
Glad to hear things worked out.
Meanwhile, the evening flight 8/22 UA5407 ORD-SPI departed on time (9:07 p.m.) and landed early (9:56 p.m.). They cleared all 3 standby pax and departed with 3 empty seats. So, in retrospect, you could have flown standby; and if revenue management had been a little less conservative, UA could have even confirmed you on the flight. So it goes.
Meanwhile, the evening flight 8/22 UA5407 ORD-SPI departed on time (9:07 p.m.) and landed early (9:56 p.m.). They cleared all 3 standby pax and departed with 3 empty seats. So, in retrospect, you could have flown standby; and if revenue management had been a little less conservative, UA could have even confirmed you on the flight. So it goes.
It was a 4 hour wait between my cancelled flight and that last flight at 9 p.m.
I went for the sure thing, and glad to be home, rather than risk not clearing standby.
Grrr, not looking forward to my next UA flight to LAS, via ORD, next month . . .