UA claims I was a "no show" , cancelled rest of itin -- but I did actually fly!!!
#46
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,889
This is fine. If you have an onward boarding pass, you're fine. Nothing special will happen and you'll just present your boarding pass as usual and board your flight and enjoy, you know, the exciting onboard United product and the wonders of civil aviation in the 21st century. It happens in transit as your itinerary and e-ticket get updated at different paces as you continue flying.
You might have a problem if
(1) you manually used united.com to 'cancel check-in' for some masochistic reason, or if
(2) united.com no longer shows the upcoming segments on your flight (flights that you have not yet flown are not visible on the UA web site), or if
(3) the coupon status associated with your e-ticket for the coupon that covers the flight you are currently taking is not "Flown" after at least an hour in the air.
Otherwise there is no problem.
With old pre-merger united.com I used to accidentally do (1) every now and then by trying to change my seat using OLCI; back in the day, OLCI would sometimes say "hey, you're trying to check in within X minutes of your flight, that is past the departure cutoff, you are gonna miss your flight so I have helpfully cancelled your check-in and you can contact an agent for help!". Then I would walk over to the gate with my boarding pass and say with shame, "um, can you please check that I'm still checked in? I just have a HUNCH that something has gone wrong". I think I managed to do this twice, lol. It's no longer possible to do this on accident with new post-merger UA systems.
Even (2) can be okay — I have had that happen in a weird case where I did a semi-manual SDC with an agent's help and my reservation ended up out of sync between the reservations system and departure control system, which I didn't think was possible with United, but it totally is. I was a little freaked out but even that was fine.
You might have a problem if
(1) you manually used united.com to 'cancel check-in' for some masochistic reason, or if
(2) united.com no longer shows the upcoming segments on your flight (flights that you have not yet flown are not visible on the UA web site), or if
(3) the coupon status associated with your e-ticket for the coupon that covers the flight you are currently taking is not "Flown" after at least an hour in the air.
Otherwise there is no problem.
With old pre-merger united.com I used to accidentally do (1) every now and then by trying to change my seat using OLCI; back in the day, OLCI would sometimes say "hey, you're trying to check in within X minutes of your flight, that is past the departure cutoff, you are gonna miss your flight so I have helpfully cancelled your check-in and you can contact an agent for help!". Then I would walk over to the gate with my boarding pass and say with shame, "um, can you please check that I'm still checked in? I just have a HUNCH that something has gone wrong". I think I managed to do this twice, lol. It's no longer possible to do this on accident with new post-merger UA systems.
Even (2) can be okay — I have had that happen in a weird case where I did a semi-manual SDC with an agent's help and my reservation ended up out of sync between the reservations system and departure control system, which I didn't think was possible with United, but it totally is. I was a little freaked out but even that was fine.
#47
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 69
I'm afraid I am in a number 3 scenario. On the flight status for the flight I'm on right now, has my seat empty and the flight attendant said that I am not on his app as being on this flight. My app is telling me my DEN flight has already departed and that i can look for alternative flight options. On the united website, it says I need to see an agent.
#48
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,889
I'm afraid I am in a number 3 scenario. On the flight status for the flight I'm on right now, has my seat empty and the flight attendant said that I am not on his app as being on this flight. My app is telling me my DEN flight has already departed and that i can look for alternative flight options. On the united website, it says I need to see an agent.
#49
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,567
At this point, that may be the only solution.
You could try to email/text someone on the ground and ask them to call UA to flag the issue but this will most likely take an airport agent to resolve. Appears your BP did not scan on boarding. This is a rare but common enough incident the airport agents are familiar with the resolution.
You could try to email/text someone on the ground and ask them to call UA to flag the issue but this will most likely take an airport agent to resolve. Appears your BP did not scan on boarding. This is a rare but common enough incident the airport agents are familiar with the resolution.
#53
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,413
#54
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 69
Just to update. I made it to DEN and two gate agents have said my ticket looks fine. I verified that it shows I was not on my original flight and they said "yes, that's weird, but don't worry about it." So, I will just be happy if I make it to my final destination without further headaches, but I'm expecting a fight when trying to get my PQMs, RDMs, etc.
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,625
I never understood how possession of a boarding pass or a screenshot of one proves that someone was actually on a particular flight. (And yet I know that airlines at least in the past have asked for it; not sure if they still do in the age of apps and smart watches)
#57
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,413
They've been known to ask for used BPs. That's why I always print one, at the airport kiosk if I can - and this from a recycler and treehugger.
#58
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,889
If this is the outbound part of a round trip (or some longer journey) it will be worthwhile to check the itinerary tomorrow to make sure the downline segments haven't randomly been auto cancelled.
I verified that it shows I was not on my original flight and they said "yes, that's weird, but don't worry about it." So, I will just be happy if I make it to my final destination without further headaches, but I'm expecting a fight when trying to get my PQMs, RDMs, etc.
Them: "You weren't on this plane. How dare you say that you were?!"
You: "Interesting. Can you help me request a refund for the wifi I bought while I was on board the plane?"
#59
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 69
Cool, sounds like you're good to go. From your description it does sound like you might have been offloaded on your first sector (how?! very weird), but if you fly the next leg things should work out ok.
If this is the outbound part of a round trip (or some longer journey) it will be worthwhile to check the itinerary tomorrow to make sure the downline segments haven't randomly been auto cancelled.
Yeah, save your boarding pass, but also did you buy wifi on board? In the unlikely event that the miles don't post, one very easy conversation to have with MileagePlus when requesting mileage credit is:
Them: "You weren't on this plane. How dare you say that you were?!"
You: "Interesting. Can you help me request a refund for the wifi I bought while I was on board the plane?"
If this is the outbound part of a round trip (or some longer journey) it will be worthwhile to check the itinerary tomorrow to make sure the downline segments haven't randomly been auto cancelled.
Yeah, save your boarding pass, but also did you buy wifi on board? In the unlikely event that the miles don't post, one very easy conversation to have with MileagePlus when requesting mileage credit is:
Them: "You weren't on this plane. How dare you say that you were?!"
You: "Interesting. Can you help me request a refund for the wifi I bought while I was on board the plane?"