cmatthews11

Flying PIT->EWR today and was originally scheduled to leave around 9am (RT cost around $550 all-in first class). Had to bump to a 6:20pm flight due to a last minute personal issue, ramping up my cost to around $900 RT. Arrived early to take some work calls from the airport and now my 6:20pm was cancelled due to maintenance issues and I was downgraded from first class on the 7:20pm flight.

Called reservations and CS, and was surprised that none of them could tell me what fare refund I should expect and that they only calculate it after the flight (noob question I'm sure, just my first time experiencing this). Will I be due the difference from the lowest Economy ticket, or from today's cost (I can't look up the latter now that this second flight is sold out)?

I'm not expecting much of a voucher on the compensation side, but I guess we'll see - I have to get there tonight as my hotel wouldn't cancel. I just want to make sure I get an adequate refund.

susiesan

Should I inquire of UA for compensation for a downgrade on award tickets? My husband and I had business award seats on ET ORD-ADD,
ADD JRO. This is a total of 16 hours of flying time. Due to a cancellation for weather we were switched to EWR AMS on UA in business, AMS JRO on KLM in coach. That segment was an 8 hour flight. Since half of the business award was flown in coach, I would like to ask for half the miles back, 40K, as the award used 80K miles. Is it likely I will get anything from UA for the downgrade?

WineCountryUA

IRROPs downgrades are not covered by GG OVS. (so will move this to Compensation thread)

Also this was WX IRROPS, there will be no inconvenience compensation.
As Business on a partner is 80K and economy is 40K -- but you flew business for a portion and that portion would have been 60K by itself plus the leg to JRO.

You can ask some portion back but asking for more than 10-15K is unlikely to be successful

findark

Also be prepared for the (somewhat reasonable) argument that the downgrade was voluntary if you chose the first available seats in any cabin to get you to your destination, rather than waiting longer to preserve the premium cabin.

deepakvalecha

Couldn't find my old Post so can someone update the master spreadsheet - BOM-EWR 12.5 hour delay offered 200$ ETC or 20k miles. Silver status.
Is that good enough?

Previous post

fumje

It seems about standard, although it should have been offered automatically if I understand your situation correctly.

Only you can say if it's good enough.

Kmxu

mynolix

20K miles are worth more, but if you are looking for a couple of additional PQM ( to reach status) taking the ETC is the better choice... Plus, you also get award miles (at least some 800-1200)

764toHI

I was given a $400 ETC to switch from 8B (8A open) to 11B (11A open) on an EWR-DEL flight last month to facilitate easier lav access for a disabled passenger. Was not expecting the ETC but saw it in my email upon landing at DEL so I guess the disabled passenger was making a big fuss.

iluv2fly

Did they ask you to switch or did they do it without your knowledge?

That is quite generous.

mpiotrow

I think the point that @Kmxu was trying to make was that that's not a normal ratio of ETC to miles. Normally the ratio is 1:50, so a $200 ETC would have an associated mileage offer of 10k miles. Or, 20k miles would have an associated ETC offer of $400. @deepakvalecha can you confirm that you actually received an offer of $200 ETC or 20k miles? ^

764toHI

I was initially asked by the ISM during the boarding process. The GA approached me afterwards and was very apologetic and offered up 11D/E as those seats were unoccupied, but I told him I preferred 11A/B because I wanted the window and I also felt having 11D/E open would be helpful to the FAs as they move around the cabin. Another interesting tidbit was 8D initially occupied my seat when I boarded - these flights to India are chaotic!

FlyerTalker70

Well folks, I've updated the United Compensation spreadsheet, this time including category codes so that you can better sort and see what's the "standard" compensation for the various UA ailments.

I likely won't be updating this spreadsheet for quite some time, so if there's anyone interested in carrying the mantle whilst I'm away, feel free to PM me and I'll get you set up for access.

Safe Travels,

James

walkertalk322

Sorry no, meant to write Dallas (DFW)

SFOrunner

I'm curious to see how this plays out, but had a pretty unfortunate event at ORD last week:

Details

• Mom was on a one-way ticket, TVC-ORD
• I was on the return of a round-trip ticket, TVC-ORD-SFO
• We were on the same flight (TVC-ORD), but separate PNR's
• Mom's ticket was booked with the "Cannot walk long distance" box checked, requiring a wheelchair (this is confirmed on her receipt as well)
• Mom had a carry-on (small bag), a purse, and a checked suitcase. We arrived at TVC together so I was able to assist with her luggage to the check-in counter.
• Before boarding at TVC, I confirmed with the gate agent that there will be a wheel chair for her at ORD as I know that I have a connecting flight to SFO, and that I likely won't be able to help her beyond arrival at ORD
• Arrive at ORD, on-time, at Gate B20. She's advised by the flight attendant to stay in her seat as there is no wheel chair or assistant for her just yet.
• Wait for the entire cabin to deplane - still no wheelchair. Her walker was gate-checked, so eventually she hobbles to the front of the plane, and then uses her walker to get down the jet bridge.
• Get into the terminal, and there is still no wheel chair - the gate agent is on the phone with someone, audibly telling them they need to get to B20 ASAP.
• Captain walks to B21/22 and finds an empty wheelchair, and brings it down to my mom so she can sit...he then apologizes for a situation that is clearly out of his control.
• It's ~6:35 AM, and more than 20 minutes have gone by...my flight to SFO departs at 8:00 AM.
• A supervisor arrives at B20, and she's working with the Gate Agent, trying to figure out why there still isn't a wheel chair assist to take my mom.
• Mom starts to get stressed and upset - knows she still has to collect her bags, can't walk well, and knows that I need to catch my connection to SFO
• Gate Agent advises me to take my mom and the wheel chair....so I escort my mom down to baggage claim via wheelchair (with her walker, purse, carry-on + my belongings)
• I collect her suitcase, wheel her back up to the Uber loading zone by T1 / T2, help her into her Uber to go home, and then race back through the terminal, re-clear security and get to my gate just as BG1 is boarding.

I sent all of the above, albeit in a more formal message, to 1KVoice requesting an explanation as to why a wheelchair wasn't available, and why we waited for more than 20 minutes after we landed...when I've gotten from F28 to C19 in less than 15 minutes. I also requested compensation for both my mom (for not having a wheelchair available at arrival) and for myself (for having to escort her out of the airport)

United called me today (left a voicemail) and followed up with an email acknowledging the situation, and explained that they will be investigating what happened. They also explained that it could take up to 30 days, which is fine. The email was from "Jane Doe, Complaint Resolution Official (CRO), DOT/Disability Specialist – Corporate Customer Care Manager"

Curious if FT has any experience with a situation like this? There is no intent to turn this into a public spectacle, but I do think United needs to understand what happened, and ensure that this doesn't happen again.