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- United Mileage Plus (Pre-Merger) (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileage-plus-pre-merger-504/)

- - Refare? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileage-plus-pre-merger/931089-refare.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by trooper (Post 11400598)

I don't think it's just us Aussies who are surprised by it... I believe Europeans think it odd too!
STOP CHECKING!! :D

I have created a new thread with link to this thread in Lufthansa's area - just out of the curiosity. I am eagerly awaiting their reactions. As I said already, it had been discussed there many times before, always ending with calling the perosn who asked "moron" if nothing worse ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nnn (Post 11400754)

Also keep in mind that the refare is not automatic. The passenger must ask for it. Many passengers presumably do not do this.

This is good point - considering that most of us think that once we bought it is better not to check prices again... And I am not surprised they do not either - I think that most of them think the same as I am still thinking - "how the hell can they afford it" - even after all the explanations.

This thread made me check a fare to London in May... I had a W fare and I assumed they wouldn't change much. The cheapest fare is much cheaper of course, but the W fare was $170 cheaper!

I have a voucher coming, and I kept all my upgrades :) Thanks UA (and FT! ;) )

Quote:

Originally Posted by cepheid (Post 11399911)

Overall, I'd say the customer goodwill generated by UA's liberal refare policy, and the additional future business encouraged both through goodwill and the issuance of vouchers, far outweighs any potential lost opportunity cost. IMHO.

Spot on. Concur. I am pretty quick to book UA knowing that if the price slides, I can refare.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPMaverick (Post 11400098)

I get the voucher refund as it can't be used unless you buy another United ticket. But, I don't see why they are refunding CCs. It's great for the customer though.

One of the arguments for refunding directly to the CC is less hassle and cost for both UA and the customer. Issuing a voucher and subsequently handling the ticketing using the voucher is time intensive. Additionally, there is the cost of producing the voucher and mailing it. When you add it all up, there's a cost to a voucher that a CC refund avoids. In fact, they might even recoup a little of the CC fee they paid on the original transaction. A happy customer is coming back anyway.....

People are too lazy to do it

Quote:

Originally Posted by nnn (Post 11400754)

Also keep in mind that the refare is not automatic. The passenger must ask for it. Many passengers presumably do not do this.

+1. I saw that a fare went down $50 for an acquaintance of mine. I told her to re-fare. She said that it was not worth the trouble...

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbroucek (Post 11400051)

I have seen this question discussed many times in Miles&More (Lufthansa) thread and everybody was always laughing.

They also laugh when you mention free stand-by, since I don't believe any European carrier offers that either. And in most of Europe they laugh when you tell them it's illegal (in the U.S.) to increase your prices to cover your credit card fees, too. There are lots of differences between European capitalism and American capitalism and between European consumer protection and American consumer protection.