[c pappas]

UNITED IS TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OLD PEOPLE BY REFUSING TO GIVE THEM A LEGITIMATE REFUND.

After purchasing a ticket for my elderly parents, they had to delay their trip for 3 days due to a medical issue. When I purchased a new ticket, I was told that with a doctor's note that I would be entited to a refund of the change fee (total $300) plus the original economy plus fee ($176). I booked the new ticket and then wrote a letter, as instructed, on January 6th. NOTHING. I followed up on April 29th. AGAIN NOTHING. I tried calling. Finally, today, now that my father has passed away, I finally spoke with someone. They said they would send an email request.

SO, UNITED HAS BEEN HOLDING MONEY FOR OVER SIX MONTHS, NO INDICATION THAT THEY WILL EVER PAY IT BACK AND ALL I GOT TODAY WAS SOME LAME "I'LL SEND IT ON." My newly-widowed mother cannot undersatnd how a company could do that. I told her that it is not all companies, but United clearly does not care for her and likely does this all the time until people just give up.

I should note that for many years I was a premier exec and even 1K. I was frustrated with their customer service a few years ago and switched to Delta. I fly easily 100K miles each year and have been thinking about trying United again (given the merger with Continental). After this experience, it will be a cold day in hell before I fly united again.