UA economy award to business award and back saga

[KidOOO]

So me and my wife were booked on saver economy miles for united EWR-TLV
40K miles each plus $75 for booking

I kept checking for business opening with no success.
Today at the airport an hour before the flight I saw a opening for 3 seats saver business, so I called united and ha them switch our awards to the business or another 20K each plus $75 change fee
Phone rep said confirm, I saw the charge went through on my card and miles deducted. She said to get new boarding pass at the gate.

We got o the gate, agent says not possible I have no seats in business, they are oversold i dont know know who did this for you and on and on blah blah blah. I told him I just did over the phone so he called them was on the phone with them for 20 minutes and said he has to push me back o economy and will refund te extra miles and charges.

I am kinda pissed now we got all excited after getting upgraded and was confirmed so I'm not sure what is happening.

And to top tho all off, since we were with the gate agent the whole time, by the time we boarded they forced us to check in our hand bags saying no room (there was plenty of room)

Any ideas what I can expect to get as compositing for this whole deal?

(Now I also have 40K UR points stuck in my united account)

I am writing in my phone before takeoff so bear with me for typos

[Dan]

Just email UA. You'll get good compensation.

[KidOOO]

Just email UA. You'll get good compensation.

Thanks, any specific email?

Also I wa wondering since I still need to book the return flight, do I have a shot of getting upgraded for free on the return, or for them to open saver award even if they don't have?

[mochada]

Thanks, any specific email?

Also I wa wondering since I still need to book the return flight, do I have a shot of getting upgraded for free on the return, or for them to open saver award even if they don't have?

customercare@united.com

[YOSEF]

Piece of advice for the future.

Just say "I don't seem to have my boarding pass" and the GA will give you one.

[Ergel]

Should have done plan b

[PlatinumGuy]

Did you get an email with a new ticket in Business Class?

[Dan]

Piece of advice for the future.

Just say "I don't seem to have my boarding pass" and the GA will give you one.

Or go to a kiosk.

[avremie]

Piece of advice for the future.

Just say "I don't seem to have my boarding pass" and the GA will give you one.

How can that help if they are overbooked as they claim?

[KidOOO]

Did you get an email with a new ticket in Business Class?

Yes, i got for both me and my wife emails with new tickets in business, and 20 min later when the agent finished his phone call got another 2 emails with economy tickets

[KidOOO]

Should have done plan b

I actually booked this within 24 hours to begin with, and when i asked to be put on waitlist for business they said to close to flight

[KidOOO]

Or go to a kiosk.

Was already at gate, or should i say "secure Gate", with it's own security as if i were flying into a war zone or something so you be a PITA to leave and find a kiosk

[Dan]

Don't have a smartphone?

[meshugener]

What makes you think all smartphones have the United app?

[Dan]

If they don't then just how smart are they?

[chucksterace]

If they don't then just how smart are they?

Very smart since they don't want to catch United's contagious glitches.

[YOSEF]

How can that help if they are overbooked as they claim?

Because then he's just like any J passenger.  He probably went to the gate, and told them the whole story, so of course the GA is going to kick him back to Y.

[KidOOO]

Because then he's just like any J passenger.  He probably went to the gate, and told them the whole story, so of course the GA is going to kick him back to Y.

Before i told them anything he looked at comp and read to the other agent "it says he paid 20K Miles for this seat, and he was in economy before, so we can just refund the miles and put him back there" maybe they are not as stupid as you think

[KidOOO]

anyone know how long it takes them to reply? still nothing

[KidOOO]

So they replied with an apology but no compensation.

When I inquired about any compensation for this the reply was

"Unfortunately, United is unable to compensate customers in equal
proportion to their dissatisfaction with our service.  We follow
specific guidelines as set by our Senior Leadership team based on
various determining factors and various situations.  "

Is this normal? Maybe the fact the I did not earn the miles with them rather transferred from chase has something to do with it?