My wife were on a United flight from Den to Msp Friday afternoon. It was overbooked and we were the first two on the volunteer list. When boarding started the gate agent asked us to stand by as she was going to probably need our seats. About half way through boarding they halted the boarding and then, announced the plane had mechanical problems and would be delayed or cancelled. Of course everyone started running around trying to get rebooked. I called the Premier desk and inquired about leaving on the Northwest flight that left in 30 minutes. They protected us on that flight.

Subsequently, United got a new plane that was leaving at the same time as the Northwest flight. I called the Premier desk back and asked if I should take the united flight or Northwest. They stated to take the Northwest flight. I asked if we had been been bumped and they stated that we had been bumped and that there were comments that we would be mailed out the vouchers for being bumped. Due to the time constraints I had to take them at the word. Does this sound right? How long will it take to get the vouchers?

I think you can reasonaby expect them within 2 weeks. This is not the usual procedure, but it does happen.

Well, it's been two weeks. Any ideas? Should I call, write or wait for two weeks and go the service center in Denver while on a layover?

You probably need to call. They may be taking more time but often their actions are quite prompt. If it was so documented in the PNR a UA rep can retrieve it (I think it takes some time when more than 48 hours have passed since the last flight) and read the documentation to support you. In that confusion, a chance would seem to exist that you were rebooked on NW without actually being classified as VDB. Might as well start dealing with it.

Don't forget to request the miles for the original UA flight.

It actually sounds like UA took very good care of you in this case by protecting you on a competitors flight.

-David

I am still waiitng for the miles on United to post. Thnaks to the experts on this board I faxed in the receipts as sson as I got home. Unfortnately, Northwest isn't giving me miles as I they took the ticket and just gave me the boarding pass as the receipt and now won't give us miles because they don't accept boarding passes for miles.

I would agree United treated us well as long as they send us the vouchers we were promised as we still got in three hours late.

Well, the saga begins. After spending 30 minutes on the phone with customer service they couldn't find any note on the PNR about us being bumped and that vouchers would be mailed out. Of course, on the date of the flight, reservations told me there were notes entered. So, I have to write a letter explaining everything and send in the Northwest boarding passes and they will review it. Unfortunately, I wrote to them twice last year regarding issues about our honeymoon. I am sure they have me listed as a serial complainer though I let most of the things go since reading this board about how they track letters. Unfortunately Untied is about the only carrier with regular service from smf. Any suggestions?

Getting NW miles should be easy. All you need in addition to your boarding pass is the ticket number. Get it from your paper ticket receipt, your T/A, your e-ticket receipt or where ever you got the ticket.

See this NW link

Thanks for the link, the problem I only have the United ticket receipt not the Northwest one. I also, gave them my Worldperks number when I checked in but, the miles never showed up in my account. It was only 600 miles so, I am not that worried about it. But, getting the two $400.oo vouchers from United is what I am worried about

tph4 -

Are you sure you got a completely reissued NW ticket? My guess is that UA endorsed the ticket over to NW for you and then NW, after entering all sorts of gobbledygook in its computer, accepted the UA ticket.

Since NW has the UA ticket (otherwise it wouldn't have allowed you to travel without paying the NW fare), follow the instructions on the link and provide that info for the UA ticket #. You should get the FF miles.

[This message has been edited by Dave M (edited 07-02-2001).]

Dup post

[This message has been edited by Dave M (edited 07-02-2001).]

Oh, okay thanks now hopefully I will have as much luck with the vouchers from United.