Refunding Basic Economy Ticket on Sched Change, booked via OTA?
Apr 16, 2019, 10:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Refunding Basic Economy Ticket on Sched Change, booked via OTA?
Hello,
A couple months ago I booked a flight in Basic Economy with UA : SFO > SAN in June via Expedia due to issues I had at the time booking direct with UA. A couple weeks ago I receive notification that UA changed the flight so it departed at 8 AM instead of the 6 AM I originally booked meaning I'll get into SAN nearly at 10 AM. At the time I didn't think much of it since I didn't the full details of the conference weren't yet available. However, now that I'll be attending a workshop on the first day of the conference I'll need to get into SAN early to ensure I get to the workshop on time. I notice Seattle Airways is now running a 6:15 AM service to SAN out of SFO. Would it be possible to get a refund from UA given such a large change? Could UA rebook me on Seattle metal?
Safe Travels,
James
A couple months ago I booked a flight in Basic Economy with UA : SFO > SAN in June via Expedia due to issues I had at the time booking direct with UA. A couple weeks ago I receive notification that UA changed the flight so it departed at 8 AM instead of the 6 AM I originally booked meaning I'll get into SAN nearly at 10 AM. At the time I didn't think much of it since I didn't the full details of the conference weren't yet available. However, now that I'll be attending a workshop on the first day of the conference I'll need to get into SAN early to ensure I get to the workshop on time. I notice Seattle Airways is now running a 6:15 AM service to SAN out of SFO. Would it be possible to get a refund from UA given such a large change? Could UA rebook me on Seattle metal?
Safe Travels,
James
Apr 16, 2019, 10:13 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
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Apr 16, 2019, 10:25 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,412
Yes, Expedia is responsible, although UA could choose to take it over. If it's a two-hour schedule change, and there's no suitable UA alternative, UA will refund. If it's one hour and 59 minutes, they may not.
Apr 16, 2019, 10:41 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,889
As noted by other posters, since Expedia is your agent, they are supposed to handle any changes, so contact them. They’ll likely change you to another UA flight. You can ask about another carrier, like Alaska, but if they may say no, and suggest instead to refund your current ticket, and start a new booking on AS.
Apr 16, 2019, 10:59 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,412
The key phrase is "at its election." Per the CoC, UA can actually move your flights by a week and not offer you a refund, although one assumes that the intent of the seven-day period is to offer options to the customer. However, their schedule change policy provides relief:
When a schedule change happens, we try our best to provide you with options that minimize the disruption to your travel plans. In cases where the new flight options don't work for you and one of the following scenarios applies, we may be able to offer you a refund:
- The scheduled departure or arrival time changes by two hours or more.
- The change causes issues with the overall length of the trip, such as making the connection time too short or significantly longer than it originally was.
Apr 16, 2019, 11:07 am
#8
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
UA -- Schedule changes
Most schedule changes are minor, but if the changes don’t work for you, other flight options may be available.If you want to explore other options, it’s important to know who to contact for assistance with a schedule change, and that depends on how you booked your flights:
- Booked through a travel agency or travel website
If you booked your flights through a travel agency or a travel website such as Expedia or Kayak, you should receive notification of the change from them, and you should contact them for assistance with your reservation.
May 9, 2019, 3:32 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Quick update on this. Called Expedia and after talking with them for over an hour they managed to contact the powers that be at UA to give me a refund on the flight. Fast forward a week later and I receive an email from UA saying my flight cannot be refunded as it's a Basic Economy ticket. This time I call UA up and explain the situation to them: UA dropped the 6 AM morning flight I had into SAN which would make my trip be in vain since I would be missing the workshop that starts at 9 AM. UA has no suitable flights out of SFO, SJC, OAK at the time now to get me to my workshop. Hence, I'm requesting a refund on the Basic Economy ticket. and after confirming the billing details, agreed to refund the money directly to my card.
I take no pleasure in flying AS to SAN the lack of Gold benefits is a huge bummer for me along with the lack of PQM accrual. However, it's the only option that'll work given the circumstances. C'est la vie!
-James
I take no pleasure in flying AS to SAN the lack of Gold benefits is a huge bummer for me along with the lack of PQM accrual. However, it's the only option that'll work given the circumstances. C'est la vie!
-James