UPDATE: Looks like this might be dead. Any award tickets to/from Hong Kong are coming back that there is no availability. I’ve checked this for multiple routes on multiple dates and not getting anything. Now let’s see what happens next…
Via Gary at View from the Wing, I saw that there is a glitch on the United Airlines website and flights going to/from Hong Kong are pricing out at 4 miles per dollar. While this clearly might not be honored, if you have any desire to go to Hong Kong or any other destination close by, it is worth it to book a flight and see how it plays out.
I just made a slew of bookings for me and my family, some just to/from Hong Kong and others as a three-legged flight. I booked New York>Hong Kong> Beijing>New York as well as Boston>Hong Kong>Phuket>Boston. Taxes to these destinations are ultra cheap at around $40 per passenger depending on where you are going.
The interesting thing is that this seems to be working for awards, saver and standard tickets, along with economy, business, and first. The screen shot below is for a three-legged business class ticket for two. You’ll see that it says this ticket should really be 600,000 miles, but is only pricing at 8 miles + $99 in taxes. Various readers on Gary’s blog have commented that all have the miles have been pulled from their account, while others are seeing just the 4 miles taken away. It is really a gamble. I have a hard time believing they will allow this, but you never know, stranger things have happened. Worst case you lose 4 miles!
Anyone else reserve a flight? Goodluck!
Rayn said,
Booked two to HKG in first class for fun. We will see what will happen.
worldtraveller2 said,
Booked four to HKG in first class for spring break!
eve said,
Thank you sooo much for sharing! I just brought my sister one way trip back from HK (she was trying to be sneaky to come back 3 days before teh flight for cheaper award ticket) and also brought mom + I tickets for thanksgiving
Thank you!
dealswelike said,
@eve – now let’s hope it works!!!
Elliott said,
Looks Like it expired…
Sara said,
How will we know if they honor it?
dealswelike said,
@sara – you’ll receive an email that your reservation has been cancelled or you’ll be sure to see it communicated on my blog along with others.
Sara said,
Also if for some crazy reason it does get honored when is the latest I can cancel to get back my taxes and fees?
Is it 24 hours from when I booked? Or is it tomorrow night at midnight?
Jeff said,
Does anyone have 8 UR Miles to convert to united? Please email me and I will fill you in on the details!
@dealswelike
dealswelike said,
@jeff – unfortunately this deal is dead, unless there is something else you know of!
Jeff said,
Yes I have a reserved itin… please email me for details!
dealswelike said,
@Sara – It is tomorrow night at midnight for typical award reservations. However, let me look more into the fee part and get back to you.
W Brian Duncan (AKA IPBrian) said,
Missed it…I always miss these!
dealswelike said,
Ian said,
Any word from united if they are honoring these tickets?
dealswelike said,
@Ian – No word yet.
jj said,
it looks like people are actually already using the tickets. I saw someone post on another blog
dealswelike said,
@jj – I saw that as well. Since they haven’t actually cancelled the tickets yet, if you booked a ticket for yesterday or today, you are good. However, there is no saying they will definitely honor the return ticket.
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