UA Using Dishonest Tactics to Avoid Oversell
#46
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,104
I had a very different experience late last year. I had an F ticket CLE-ORD-SFO with the second flight on a 772. I chose it over the direct CLE-SFO flight because there was significant fare savings. The day before the flight, an agent calls me up and asks if would take the direct flight because the connection was switched to a domestic HD 772 which made the flight massively oversold in F. I said "sure" and they gave me an ETC for the accommodation. Left later, arrived a little earlier, gave up the lie flat.
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,354
If UA does this, regardless of whether the customer is asked to approve the changes or not, would there be any difficulty in getting ORC? Is this viewed as a voluntary or involuntary change or does UA call it IROPs when it's really an oversold flight? AFAIK if one accepts a VDB and is rerouted in a way that results if fewer status miles or segments, one only gets credit for what was actually flown, just as if the ticket had been changed at the passenger's request.
#48
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Portland OR
Programs: United 1K 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 560
And as you're looking for PQS, you may well be down on the deal, max 1 but if they rebooked you into a premium bucket down 0.5. If that's important you can request ORC and get that credited.
#49
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Tacoma, WA
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Alaska Mileage Plan, Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 82
I am still unsure what there is to be upset about here. There was no change to OP's flights, OP was just protected on other flights. It was entirely reasonable to offer the non stop. Why would anyone expect any compensation in this scenario?
#50
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,416
Or take the time to write a 1000 word rant accusing UA of fraud?
#52
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, Amex Centurion, UA 1MM
Posts: 555
You know what drives me nuts? Are dishonest titles for threads. As anyone who flies a bunch knows. (You’re a 1K?) weather can affect the route you’re on. Not just the airport itself you’re departing from.
There is so much UA bashing. Only maybe to be outdone (by the recent AA bashing) UA ain’t perfect. But come on. Enough is enough. I’m calling this one. 🤨
there are so many what ifs here. Sorry. Don’t see you eye to eye here.
There is so much UA bashing. Only maybe to be outdone (by the recent AA bashing) UA ain’t perfect. But come on. Enough is enough. I’m calling this one. 🤨
there are so many what ifs here. Sorry. Don’t see you eye to eye here.
Last edited by saccoNY; Sep 11, 2019 at 10:52 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,354
A supervisor who noticed that OP was flying MCI-ORD-DEN would definitely have wanted to offer MCI-DEN instead: not to save UA money -- because they wouldn't be VDB'ing anyone due to displaced passengers from an earlier flight -- but just to offer better service for everyone. It's a win-win; OP gets to DEN earlier and UA is able to accommodate one additional passenger from the cancelled flight.
#54
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
I'm presuming the "dishonest" part referred to the claim of weather in ORD potentially causing a delay, when the OP's app stated it was fine. As has already been stated above, the latter is not in any way proof that the former is not true, and it appears there were weather concerns at ORD, at least earlier in the day.
#55
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,518
Only if the nonstop left at or around the same time as the original flight, and if it didn't, only if it arrived earlier than the ORD connection, and only if they contacted the passenger first.
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,354
Sure, if UA had actually made the changes. They didn't. They just protected OP on a different set of flights; something that would have been worked out at the airport, at the latest.
#58
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
Maybe the OP should change the thread title to "I need 120 segments to requalify for 1K and I lost 1 due to UA showing positive customer service and offering me multiple options. I want the segment and compensation!!!" Sorry, but for all the bashing UA gets that may be justified, this seems pretty petty to me IMHO.
Last edited by bluedemon211; Sep 12, 2019 at 9:10 am
#59
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: All of them, UA-Plat, 1MM*G
Posts: 881
This whole thread is an example of why so many of the people who live on FT are not the target customer group for airlines. Most people who fly simply want to arrive at their destination in the least time and with the fewest complications. This almost always means nonstops over single connections; single connections over double connections, double connections over triple connections, etc. Further it means shortest trip length over longer trip length (e.g., ATL-EWR-BOS over ATL-IAH-BOS). Most customers don't like to run through airports to catch connecting flights, or to change terminals in order to use a nonUA or non*A carrier -- if they have they choice.
Therefore, it is crazy to expect that UA should desist from offering Pax shorter or less complex routings. Most will welcome them. And if you are the one who is on a MR and wants more distance and more segments, simply decline these offers. Don't equate them with anti-customer intentions.
Therefore, it is crazy to expect that UA should desist from offering Pax shorter or less complex routings. Most will welcome them. And if you are the one who is on a MR and wants more distance and more segments, simply decline these offers. Don't equate them with anti-customer intentions.