zombietooth

When I went into my past itineraries to print a receipt, UA had reissued my itinerary with a completely new ticket #, and a new price that was around $200- less than my original. I assume that this means that they will refund the difference between the two tickets in cash. I'll report back what 1KVoice says when I hear from them.

zombietooth

I did indeed receive a cash refund for the difference between coach and F. Thanks for all the advice.^

One thing I learned from this situation is that Delta's new coach seat is more comfortable than UA's slimline seat. In addition, Delta's coach snacks are superior to UA's. I hadn't previously flown on DL in coach in at least 10 years.

lindsheyy

Husband and I booked first class award saver from LAX-ICN-HND in October, returning on business class award saver NRT-ICN-LAX all on OZ metal and booked with UA points. I randomly took a look at our itinerary today and saw a schedule change notification, but nothing in the schedule actually has changed - flight #s , times, and aircraft identical to original itinerary, and nothing highlighted in red. Only change is a downgrade from first to business for LAX-ICN leg (13 hr leg!), but this still isn't highlighted in red.

Given that nothing else appears to have changed, I'm assuming that we got bumped from first to business due to priority (only UA Gold, husband is no status). Planning to call to ask about the change shortly, but wanted to see what I was entitled to in this case (award flights, *A metal, months out from itinerary). At the end of the day, we're fine flying in business, but would like to make sure we are compensated appropriately.

Am I entitled to mileage difference? Business saver vs. first saver is 30k miles per person - does it matter that there's no business/first saver availability currently?

Sounds like we aren't eligible for any additional compensation (GG OVS DOWNGRADE), since this isn't day of, but it does appear that we were bumped due to overbooking and not an aircraft/schedule change. Is this correct?

Would it be reasonable to request a different itinerary in business (i.e. a direct flight from LAX to NRT/HND on UA/ANA metal)?

Kacee

OZ is ending F service, that's why your reservation has changed.

Not sure if UA is giving miles refunds to reflect the F=>J downgrade. You're definitely not due any downgrade comp.
I suspect UA would open space on its own metal LAX-NRT. For NH, you would need open award inventory, which can be tough to find.

jsloan

I would think that the difference between partner F and partner J is a reasonable request that I expect UA would grant. After all, they'll be compensating OZ based upon the flown segment.

UA downgrade compensation is a customer service gesture specifically for UA-operated flights; it wouldn't apply even if this happened on the day of travel. Any such gesture for an OZ-operated flight would be provided by OZ (but don't expect anything).

lindsheyy

AH! Makes so much more sense - thanks for information. Will go dig around the Asiana boards for info, but will probably try to keep our first seats with downgraded business service and request a mileage refund. Thanks again!

EDIT: In case anyone has to deal with this, got 30k miles per passenger refunded (difference between business saver and first saver) and they were able to keep the record locator the same, so we're still booked in the first class seats!

SFOpaul

Not sure if it's worth pursuing some points but as I was traveling this afternoon the agent at BZN offered me an upgrade to first for my flight from my E+ seat to SFO. I accepted and boarded the flight. When all but one person had boarded that person and the gate agent boarded and the agent apologized for a "mistaken" upgrade that he gave me and sent me to the back of the plane. By this point there was one seat in E- and that's where I ended up for the flight. Should I request some points from United since I didn't even get my original seat in E+ or just chalk it up to United being United?

myperks

Last time they did this I got an ETC right on the spot since I was cleared in the system and had an upgrade boarding pass.

jsloan

Did you have an F boarding pass? How long prior to departure did the missing passenger arrive?

WineCountryUA

If you received a F BP or shown on the upgraded list, you are due downgrade compensation, even for CPUs -- see the wiki for the specifics.

SFOpaul

I believe the passenger was there the entire time. I was given a boarding pass and was in line behind the passenger that ultimately ended up in 3D. The agent scanned his boarding pass and couldn't figure out what happened so he had him step aside. I don't blame the passenger at all, it's completely on United.

bocastephen

Did you ask for your original seat? I would have refused to take a E- seat in the back and insisted the passenger cleared into my seat needed to be removed and sent to that E- seat. I've been in this position before and that is exactly what I did and I got my seat back.

findark

If you have a new boarding pass, you should be eligible for GG OVS DOWNGRADE.

GBadger

I've actually been *that* passenger twice before. The first time, I had called in to institute a change on another part of the reservation and the agent unchecked me in without telling me (I had already checked in and had a boarding pass). I happened to be standing near the counter when the agent called someone up and told them "I have a new seat for you -- 3D", which was the seat number I had on my boarding pass. Fortunately I stepped right up and told him that I already had a boarding pass for 3D and he corrected the situation.

The second time, I had a short connection and the system had auto-rebooked me without me noticing. Got to the gate to scan my BP and the system didn't like it. Fortunately the person who had been upgraded into my seat had not yet arrived at the gate.

HNLbasedFlyer

Really? No way I would have gotten out of my seat with a valid boarding pass......