PRICING MISTAKE: 4 miles from Hong Kong

[Reb Moshe]

If you notice the language they are using is that the ticket was never bought because there was not enough miles.

This will be the big fight. Because we all know the ticket purchase was complete.

[PlatinumGuy]

On the final screen, it actually did show the correct (full) amount above and then the 4 miles below.

Not on multi city bookings.

[chuchem]

Ua prob told the dot and i think they are right:

When you booked it showed the correct amount of miles by flight selection, so if you had only 50 miles in the account, you never had intentions to book it for the full amount... You knew its 60k each way, but booked it with a 1k account... So its clear from beginning what your plan was...

People that had 500k and only 4k got pulled can claim, they really wanted to pay full, but united offered for less, so they have a valid contract

I anyway think united fot dot aproval for this and writing them is a waste of time. Anyway its enough, if a few write, as if they honour it, you can always file later and get in on the same dot ruling

My only regret, i was ready to book a short shabbes trip to hkg with my family, had 6 seats in business for the weekend, i didnt book as i couldnt be bothered to shlep for a short time, but i see it would have been a hall of fame trip and ua would have allowed it...oh well, happy to chill at home as well

[Jkhein]

Interesting how some of us thought, it will take them weeks till they cancel everyone manually, and all of a sudden in one hour everything was over, perhaps they also compiled a list in last few days, so to do everyone the same time.
Nd will gain big time from this, definitely a free trip at his choice, plus more.

[Ryan]

Just out of curiosity, did anyone try booking to HKG out of a Canadian departure city?

[ticketmaster]

On the final screen, it actually did show the correct (full) amount above and then the 4 miles below.

More often than not when buying a discounted product online it will say the original price in your cart and then calculate the discount based off that and show the lower total "below the line"

[LWG]

Re: Hong Kong Master Thread
« Reply #172 on: Today at 01:16:27 am »
Quote
Just got an email from UA with the bad news  had reservations for whole family . Guess no such luck! It said the following:
    
 
Update regarding award itinerary
that includes Hong Kong
 
Dear ----------------,
 
You recently requested the ticketing of MileagePlus award travel to, from or through Hong Kong (confirmation -------). Because your account does not have enough miles to complete the purchase, we have canceled the ticket for non-payment and refunded all taxes and fees. The number of miles required for this award was provided during your transaction and is published on the MileagePlus travel award chart on our website.
 
If you have already canceled the ticket, please disregard this email.
 
We appreciate your understanding and look forward to serving you in the future.
 



- I don't even think its written well, as the point the dot would be arguing will be that out bill/receipt stated that amount was OWED and PAID. I believe they will and should be fined.
 I'm not surprised or upset by this, as I guess it was expected, but I DO believe it was their error and in this case they should have to honor it.  And I think the dot will come to that conclusion .

[chuchem]

More often than not when buying a discounted product online it will say the original price in your cart and then calculate the discount based off that and show the lower total "below the line"

Yes, but airlines dont have this. Also you would not enter a 10 Dollar gift card and then expect to buy 1000 Dollars worth of goods

[aussiebochur]

#FIRSTWORLDPROBLEMS

[Ryan]

#FIRSTWORLDPROBLEMS

+1!

[ticketmaster]

Yes, but airlines dont have this. Also you would not enter a 10 Dollar gift card and then expect to buy 1000 Dollars worth of goods

I was arguing in our favor not for United. When I purchase something I look at the total not the pretax, pre-shipping cost. In this case it was significantly discounted.

[chuchem]

I was arguing in our favor not for United. When I purchase something I look at the total not the pretax, pre-shipping cost. In this case it was significantly discounted.

I am arguing factual and not in anybodys favour. Yes you look at the total, but you will never try to buy a 10000 dollar item with a 5 dollar giftcard

[ticketmaster]

I am arguing factual and not in anybodys favour. Yes you look at the total, but you will never try to buy a 10000 dollar item with a 5 dollar giftcard

If I knew the item was already heavily discounted I would.

[AsherO]

I am arguing factual and not in anybodys favour. Yes you look at the total, but you will never try to buy a 10000 dollar item with a 5 dollar giftcard

If it was pricing out at $5, sure I would

[chucksterace]

Just received a reply from DOT

"Mr. XXXXXXXXX:

This is in regard to your complaint against United Airlines (UAL) about certain Mileage Plus Award tickets to, from, or via Hong Kong that could be acquired on UAL's website between July 14 and July 15, 2012. Information that we have obtained to date from affected consumers and the airline, including screen shots taken from various steps in the booking process, reflects a discrepancy in the mileage amounts required to be paid for these tickets. More specifically, the mileage amounts, as they appeared on the website's mileage award tables, itinerary selection page and at the top of the itinerary purchase page, were significantly higher (e.g., 320,000 miles plus taxes and fees for a roundtrip ticket) than the amount displayed as the "total price" on the itinerary purchase page (i.e., four miles plus taxes and fees). In short, it is unclear what full price was offered. We will continue to investigate this matter to determine the full price of these tickets, whether that full price was, in fact, paid by the consumers, whether the airline issued tickets upon full payment, and whether the carrier raised the price after full payment was made and the tickets were issued.

As you may be aware, the Department recently issued a regulation, 14 CFR 399.88, that is intended to prevent airlines from unfairly and deceptively raising the price of a ticket after a consumer has paid in full and purchased that ticket. As stated in the regulation, such conduct would constitute a prohibited unfair and deceptive practice under a statute enacted by Congress, 49 USC 41712. The goal of our investigation is to determine whether UAL has acted unfairly or deceptively to consumers who acquired Mileage Plus Awards tickets as described above. Please note that, regardless of the outcome of our investigation, consumers are free to pursue claims (e.g., a breach of contract claim) against the airline in an appropriate civil court for monetary damages and other remedies particular to their situation.

Alexander A. Taday III
Aviation Industry Analyst
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
Office of the General Counsel
US Department of Transportation

[AJK]

Gotta say - that's a pretty reasonable response.

For all of you regulations haters, it seems DoT is invoking it properly, that is, only when the airlines is being unfair and deceptive. Seems like case closed truly.

[jj1000]

Gotta say - that's a pretty reasonable response.

For all of you regulations haters, it seems DoT is invoking it properly, that is, only when the airlines is being unfair and deceptive.

+1 very well written! United should take a lesson.

[JEWDA]

Got the same email now.

[A3]

Just received a reply from DOT

"Mr. XXXXXXXXX:

This is in regard to your complaint against United Airlines (UAL) about certain Mileage Plus Award tickets to, from, or via Hong Kong that could be acquired on UAL's website between July 14 and July 15, 2012. Information that we have obtained to date from affected consumers and the airline, including screen shots taken from various steps in the booking process, reflects a discrepancy in the mileage amounts required to be paid for these tickets. More specifically, the mileage amounts, as they appeared on the website's mileage award tables, itinerary selection page and at the top of the itinerary purchase page, were significantly higher (e.g., 320,000 miles plus taxes and fees for a roundtrip ticket) than the amount displayed as the "total price" on the itinerary purchase page (i.e., four miles plus taxes and fees). In short, it is unclear what full price was offered. We will continue to investigate this matter to determine the full price of these tickets, whether that full price was, in fact, paid by the consumers, whether the airline issued tickets upon full payment, and whether the carrier raised the price after full payment was made and the tickets were issued.

As you may be aware, the Department recently issued a regulation, 14 CFR 399.88, that is intended to prevent airlines from unfairly and deceptively raising the price of a ticket after a consumer has paid in full and purchased that ticket. As stated in the regulation, such conduct would constitute a prohibited unfair and deceptive practice under a statute enacted by Congress, 49 USC 41712. The goal of our investigation is to determine whether UAL has acted unfairly or deceptively to consumers who acquired Mileage Plus Awards tickets as described above. Please note that, regardless of the outcome of our investigation, consumers are free to pursue claims (e.g., a breach of contract claim) against the airline in an appropriate civil court for monetary damages and other remedies particular to their situation.

Alexander A. Taday III
Aviation Industry Analyst
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
Office of the General Counsel
US Department of Transportation

Mr XXXXXX? Why x's?

[JEWDA]

Mr XXXXXX? Why x's?

instead of his name, duh.