Author Topic: United can't reserve flight for first leg - any way to get fare honored? (Read 4184 times)

daprdapr · « **on:** October 20, 2014, 03:24:31 PM »

Made an on-line reservation thru United from EWR to TLV, way back from TLV-ZRH, ZRH-EWR. 12 hours later United sends me an email that they cant make the reservation on the TLV-ZRH leg bc its with Swiss and they cant get a seat. They will offer me nonstop but for $200+ more. Any way to get United to honor the original reserved fare?

Thanks.

sky121 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2014, 03:25:12 PM »

HUCA

ilherman · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2014, 05:52:43 PM »

Quote from: daprdapr on October 20, 2014, 03:24:31 PM

Made an on-line reservation thru United from EWR to TLV, way back from TLV-ZRH, ZRH-EWR. 12 hours later United sends me an email that they cant make the reservation on the TLV-ZRH leg bc its with Swiss and they cant get a seat. They will offer me nonstop but for $200+ more. Any way to get United to honor the original reserved fare?

Thanks.

Was it ticketed?

sillypainter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2014, 05:54:30 PM »

Quote from: daprdapr on October 20, 2014, 03:24:31 PM

Made an on-line reservation thru United from EWR to TLV, way back from TLV-ZRH, ZRH-EWR. 12 hours later United sends me an email that they cant make the reservation on the TLV-ZRH leg bc its with Swiss and they cant get a seat. They will offer me nonstop but for $200+ more. Any way to get United to honor the original reserved fare?

Thanks.

I would think the DOT rule applies, and United must honor this ticket. Threaten them that you'll be reporting it to the DOT.

Jkhein · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2014, 10:23:06 PM »

Quote from: sillypainter on October 20, 2014, 05:54:30 PM

I would think the DOT rule applies, and United must honor this ticket. Threaten them that you'll be reporting it to the DOT.

Quote from: ilherman on October 20, 2014, 05:52:43 PM

Was it ticketed?

myb821 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2014, 10:30:52 PM »

ticketing doesnt matter. If he got a confirmation email.

ilherman · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2014, 10:36:03 PM »

chucksterace · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2014, 10:37:18 PM »

Quote from: myb821 on October 20, 2014, 10:30:52 PM

ticketing doesnt matter. If he got a confirmation email.

-1, DOT Laws only apply if the ticket was ticketed. A confirmation isn't good enough.

ilherman · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2014, 12:31:01 AM »

Quote from: chucksterace on October 20, 2014, 10:37:18 PM

-1, DOT Laws only apply if the ticket was ticketed. A confirmation isn't good enough.

Hence

Quote from: ilherman on October 20, 2014, 10:36:03 PM

Huh?

chff · « **Reply #9 on:** October 21, 2014, 01:38:34 AM »

IIRC, DOT has a rule for false advertising, which is this case

Mrp alert · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2014, 12:58:20 AM »

When you book a partner ticket with United, they send a confirmation note that states ticketing is subject to confirmation by the partner airline. Swiss didn't confirm, ergo you are sol. In the future, try booking your tickets via an OTA like expedia, orbitz, Travelocity, etc where tickets are issued instantly.

ilherman · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2014, 01:00:56 AM »

Quote from: Mrp alert on October 22, 2014, 12:58:20 AM

When you book a partner ticket with United, they send a confirmation note that states ticketing is subject to confirmation by the partner airline. Swiss didn't confirm, ergo you are sol. In the future, try booking your tickets via an OTA like expedia, orbitz, Travelocity, etc where tickets are issued instantly.

Tickets are not always issued instantly with these OTA or any other TA for that matter. It depends on the Airline.

AJK · « **Reply #12 on:** October 22, 2014, 02:14:35 AM »

Quote from: chucksterace on October 20, 2014, 10:37:18 PM

-1, DOT Laws only apply if the ticket was ticketed. A confirmation isn't good enough.

Sure about that?

ilherman · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2014, 10:34:11 AM »

Quote from: AJK on October 22, 2014, 02:14:35 AM

Sure about that?

Yes. No ticket number = 0

AJK · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2014, 10:36:09 AM »

Not what the regulation says, my friend.

ilherman · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2014, 10:41:07 AM »

Quote from: AJK on October 22, 2014, 10:36:09 AM

Not what the regulation says, my friend.

Thats my personal experience. Remember the DL glitch when they honored tickets that were not confirmed and everyone gave them credit for being so kind. Per the DOT the airlines most honour a TICKET which they sold. If there is no ticket number then they never sold you a TICKET.

myb821 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2014, 10:44:44 AM »

Quote from: ilherman on October 22, 2014, 10:41:07 AM

Thats my personal experience. Remember the DL glitch when they honored tickets that were not confirmed and everyone gave them credit for being so kind. Per the DOT the airlines most honour a TICKET which they sold. If there is no ticket number then they never sold you a TICKET.

No those ppl didnt even get email confirmation IIRC.

AJK · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2014, 11:38:14 AM »

Quote from: ilherman on October 22, 2014, 10:41:07 AM

Thats my personal experience. Remember the DL glitch when they honored tickets that were not confirmed and everyone gave them credit for being so kind. Per the DOT the airlines most honour a TICKET which they sold. If there is no ticket number then they never sold you a TICKET.

Again, that's incorrect according to the plain meaning of the reg.

AJK · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2014, 11:38:42 AM »

Quote from: myb821 on October 22, 2014, 10:44:44 AM

No those ppl didnt even get email confirmation IIRC.

That would be an issue.

chff · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2014, 07:44:10 AM »

Quote from: ilherman on October 22, 2014, 01:00:56 AM

Tickets are not always issued instantly with these OTA or any other TA for that matter. It depends on the Airline.

As a TA, I can issue instantly....