Sorry for the confusion. Yes I purchased MSP-ORD-SFO (P Fare). Partially because I had the time and think I'll be making 1K on segments this year so need to get to 120 and partially because I do enjoy the 777. I then upgraded using an RPU on the 777 from C to F.

When I went to board it said that I wasn't ticketed. And that's when I found out they had rebooked me on the non-stop from MSP-SFO, leaving 1.5 hours later. They offered to put me back on the MSP-ORD-SFO, but MSP-ORD was going to be coach (they had already upgraded somebody into my seat) and ORD-SFO was going to be business (middle seat in the center 4). Also checked and my original seat on that flight was assigned as an Upgrade to someone.

I've already emailed 1K voice and did get the RPU back, although at first they were - well they rebooked you in F on the nonstop, which is when I pointed out that I had paid for F so they refunded that immediately. But I definitely want the 1.5 additional segments, obviously RDM earnings is not any different anymore since it is based on the ticket $.

The ONLY good thing so far - the gate agent that was boarding my original flight that I didn't get on also then boarded the MSP-SFO nonstop and he apologized again as I boarded, that was nice of him.

The only issue I have with that is that I wasn't just downgraded, but they changed my routing. And I still consider MSP-ORD (Airbus F) ORD-SFO (777 C) which I paid for not upgraded into to MSP-SFO (E175 F) a downgrade.

Ok - I'm actually impressed with the response. A - the wording (they didn't make any excuses), B - how quickly they replied and C - the bonus miles.

"We are sorry to learn about your disappointment with the flight change
to your reservations. Your frustration is certainly understandable, and
we appreciate your taking the time to share your concerns with us. We
are focused on delivering great customer service, and your feedback will
help us as we strive to meet this goal. As a gesture of our concern, we
are crediting your MileagePlus account with 10,000 MileagePlus miles
which are valid for future award travel. These miles will appear in
your MileagePlus account within at least 3 business days.

Thank you for your support as a Premier 1K MileagePlus Two Million
Miler, Mr. SF1K. We look forward to welcoming you onboard United
again soon."

If I can get ORC as well, I'll call in once it posts then I'll be happy.

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle.

I would have thought something like this would have been deserving of an Ecert. I still wonder why they actually changed your flight. I've gotten OFFERS to change my flight lots of times but I still have my seat on my old flight until I accept it.

I see no reason why you wouldnt get ORC. It just seems to take forever and several emails before they understand. Hopefully your ticket got marked with INVOL

The response is good, but I find it still absolutely offensive that you were moved without notice.

It does say INVOL on the receipt of the new flight.

At least you didn't post on the UA FB page otherwise the trolls would come attacking you and say you agreed to be rerouted per the CoC :)

Not sure what you'd complain about. The airline got you where they promised to get you in the time frame that they promised.

You can get the upgrade back but I doubt you'll get anything from UA other than a smile. Again, the OP got what he paid for. Did he get what he wanted? No. But if one flight is overbooked and they can move someone to a flight that has room and gets you there on time (or ahead of time) then someone (or a computer) thought it would help.

I'll step in. He did when he hit purchase. See my playing above. Their right to change without notification.

Which you agreed they could do when you bought the ticket.

That is beside the point IMO, because they offered to move him back to MSP-ORD-SFO.

I don't like that a GS agent can bump a 1K from a flight just because she needs the upgrade seat for someone else. It was like the days of sitting row 15 on the PMUA 744...

UA may be contractually allowed to do what it did, but notice should be obligatory. Shame on UA for that.

Nobody's suggested this yet, but could this be an IDB situation? Sounds like the MSP-ORD flight might have been full, so they reviewed everyone's itinerary and put the OP on a different flight with more space (and that, in theory, the OP would appreciate).

This is really the issue. It's not about whether UA had the right to so it, but how they did it.

Why not ask for a volunteer to switch to a nonstop flight that gets you in earlier? I'll bet there would have been quite a few takers, and then you have a win-win situation. As it turned out, the customer is unhappy with the experience and is telling others about it, and UA paid him some goodwill miles...a lose-lose that could easily have been avoided.

Likely too late to find out/do anything about it.

Read the first part of the COC - "Reservations are subject to change without notice..." UA is "obliged" to do nothing. The fact that they tried to restore the original itin shows that someone along the way cared, but there is no obligation for them to do so.