Via Milepoint, we just received noticed that the 4 mile tickets on United to Hong Kong (or another routing through Hong Kong) will not be honored. While nothing is 100% set in stone yet until the ticket is fully cancelled, I wouldn’t hold your breath on them changing their mind and actually honoring these reservations.

Shannon Kelly, the director of customer insights stated:

Hi Everyone, over the weekend, we discovered a united.com programming error that allowed customers to obtain Mileage Plus travel awards to and from Hong Kong for as little as four miles roundtrip per person, substantially below published levels, which we disclose to customers. We have since corrected the error and will be in contact with customers who have tickets issued at the incorrect award amounts. Customers will be given the choice to redeem at the correct mileage amount or re-deposit their award with all fees waived. We regret any inconvenience this has caused you, and appreciate your understanding.

Shannon Kelly
Director, Customer Insights
United Airlines

I personally understand them cancelling these tickets as this was a massive glitch in the system. While I would have LOVED to be on my way to Beijing in a few weeks, I get it. While I am not banking on any sort of miles for compensation, I would not be surprised if they did something to appease their customers.

Sorry guys! But it was a fun Sunday afternoon…

Categories: United

  • scwam said,

    This glitch has been happening for at least a year. I’ve noticed it multiple times when looking for tickets to China. I never tried to get something for nothing from them as I knew it never would be honored anyway.

  • colleen said,

    That’s amazing. I had no idea there was a position of Director, Customer Insights.

  • worldtraveller2 said,

    flyertalk thread shut down as I was ready it regarding this issue!

  • dwl said,

    I wonder what will happen to those who booked a flight to fly out today and made it on the plane..Hope United honors their return flight!

  • Jason said,

    So what happens to those that were ticketed that same Sunday and flying out on the same Sunday? will UA deduct Miles from their accounts? this should be interesting!

  • hello said,

    Are you joking?? You wish they will compensate anyone. Hello, it UNITED!

    Its not so simple when you have people who flew already…

  • jackson allen said,

    i hate your stupid bloggers. I took adavntage of this 4 miles for 3 round trips already. You guys made this deal dead. do you get anything? no, just take advantage of some stupid credit card referral from some people? You ruined a lot of deals already. i really despise these bloggers.

  • dealswelike said,

    @hello – I am not hoping or saying united should compensate at all. It was a massive glitch and I completely understand them not honoring this.

  • Vik said,

    @Jackson Allen – just a thought. Why are you reading this blog?

  • W Brian Duncan (AKA IPBrian) said,

    @dealswelike I am always telling my wife trolls are actually the greatest of compliments really. It means people are listening…Congrats!

  • cane said,

    I get it too, it was a mistake, but none the less their mistake, not our, we didn’t rig the system, nor broke any law, so do you think that their way of admitting of an “error” is the right one?
    do you think that a “Corporation” like United should “talk” to their customers thought a post on a “forum”, and saying “Hi Everyone”. ?

    They have our emails, they could (still haven’t in my case) talk to us directly, you “appreciate [our] understanding” they say
    but I’ll appreciate if they, at least say sorry, in my business if I make a mistake the first words coming out of my mouth are “I’m sorry”.
    I don’t know, to me it comes don’t your “values” as a person, and in many ways in this country corporations are consider humans.

  • dealswelike said,

    @cane – I absolutely agree with what you are saying. While I understand them not honoring, they should be communicating directly to their customer and not a generic post on an online forum. They have to recognize that we all make mistakes and maybe give us some slack as well when we make mistakes.

  • dealswelike said,

    @IPBrian – thanks.

  • Gerald said,

    erm i flew already and i am in hkg ! l wonder whats gonna happen !

  • dealswelike said,

    @Gerald – Keep us posted. Enjoy Hong Kong – I love that city! If you have time, take a day trip to Macau.

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