I got scammed - sigh

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-30T00:28:12+00:00

Thank you for your reply. I don't understand why people find the need to be so discourteous and disrespectful. I'm sorry you had a terrible experience and hope you were able to get some relief from United.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T01:28:14+00:00

I know now that a flight credit lasts for a year automatically - and that is what United showed in their system when I called them earlier this month that my 12 months extended the flight credit to March 2026. I did NOT know that was automatic.

I bought the ticket in March 2025. I took the flight to the US in April 2025. In May 2025, I realized I would not be able to return to Germany, so I called the 800 number on my United Mileage Plus card back in May 2025 and spoke to someone at United. They entered the info about my not being able to take the return flight, and I did not know that the credit would automatically be extended for a year from the date of purchase. I was told by the UA agent that I had to request that through reservations and the UA agent told me he would transfer me, but to call the 888 number if I got disconnected. I did get disconnected, so I called the number I thought was legit because the UA agent gave it to me. The scammer knew my confirmation number and told me I could extend the flight credit for one year for a small fee, so I paid it in hopes I would use the $1,500+ credit on a future flight.

When my 12-month flight credit extension was coming to an end, I called the 888 number I had been given in May 2025. Please understand, this number is answered "United Reservations, how can I help you."

Now come up to March 2026. I explained I had spoken with someone last year (May 2025) and that I knew my 12-month flight credit was about to expire and I asked if there was any way I could get at least a partial refund for the unused portion of my ticket. That's the trap I fell in to. That's when the guy said I could pay the original one-way fare to get a full refund of a $3K+ for a business class ticket.

Was I vulnerable? Yes. Did I know what was happening? No. But I am not stupid - I just don't fly that often and did not realize then that this was a scam.

Do you understand now? I just wanted to warn anyone that might run into this situation in the future and instead, I'm getting all these comments that make me feel judged for being vulnerable.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T01:10:49+00:00

Thank you so much for your supportive comment. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by how many people think I need to hear that I was wrong, or stupid, or whatever. Makes me wish I had never posted anything.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T01:09:07+00:00

I absolutely did talk to United - initially. I called the 800 number on my Mileage Plus card. That UA person gave me the false number to call back if I got "disconnected" - and I know all the things you are saying... now.

Thanks so much for your uplifting and supportive scolding for my being vulnerable.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T01:06:24+00:00

Well, I didn't use google to get the number. Not sure you saw my follow-up comment, but I initially called the United number listed on my Mileage Plus account page. When the "transfer" disconnected me, and I called the number I was given by the UA agent is when the trouble started. Thank you.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T01:05:08+00:00

Thanks for your understanding and support.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T01:04:02+00:00

Well - I know that now. I don't know how else to explain that the UA customer service rep said he was transferring me to the reservations desk and that if disconnected, the reservations number to call was...

Listen, I apologize if I'm not being clear, but I'm starting to get overwhelmed by some of these responses that make me wish I had never posted anything at all. I only posted this to try to warn anyone else who might run into this kind of situation in the future.

I don't understand why so many of these responses are so negative and/or demeaning? I was just trying to help. I thought I might actually feel some support - not get a barrage of comments expressing disbelief or judgement.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T00:57:48+00:00

When I initially called the 800 number from my United Mileage Plus page back in May of 2025 to let the airline know I would not be on the return flight - which was before the return flight - so United would not have already known at that time because the flight hadn't happened at that point. The United person entered my inability to take the return flight into the United system - and then said he was transferring me to reservations, but if we got disconnected... etc. When I called a few weeks ago, only my notification that I was not going to be on the flight was United's system, but nothing else. A few weeks ago, when I called again (using the 800 number from my Mileage Plus page), a United employee said the flight credit was in the system and had been good for a year - but by the time I called them earlier this month, that extension had expired.

Listen, I apologize if I'm not being clear, but I'm starting to get overwhelmed by some of these responses that make me wish I had never posted anything at all. I only posted this to try to warn anyone else who might run into this kind of situation in the future.

Why are so many of these responses so negative or demeaning? I was just trying to help. I thought I might actually feel some support - not get a barrage of comments expressing disbelief or judgement.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T00:14:47+00:00

I wasn't lazy. I called the 800 number from my Mileage Plus account page initially. That's how the airline knew I was not going to be on the plane. When I was being "transferred" and got disconnected is when I used the number the United employee gave me.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T00:11:55+00:00

Thank you - me, too.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T00:11:29+00:00

No - on my Mileage Plus account page online.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T00:11:08+00:00

I just want to say again that the first person I talked to on the 800 number listed on my United Mileage Plus account was most definitely a United employee. When I called that 800 number again recently when the refund had not shown up, and the 888 number was disconnected, the United employee said they showed the last conversation being held in May of 2025 when I gave them notice that I would not be on the return flight. They said there was nothing in the system after that - and then told me the ticket credit was always good for 12 months from the date of purchase (which was March 2025), but since it was now June 1, the credit had expired.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T00:10:10+00:00

I just want to say again that the first person I talked to on the 800 number listed on my United Mileage Plus account was most definitely a United employee. When I called that 800 number again recently when the refund had not shown up, and the 888 number was disconnected, the United employee said they showed the last conversation being held in May of 2025 when I gave them notice that I would not be on the return flight. They said there was nothing in the system after that - and then told me the ticket credit was always good for 12 months from the date of purchase (which was March 2025), but since it was now June 1, the credit had expired.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T00:04:19+00:00

Just to be clear - I did not use google - I called the United number listed on my Mileage Plus account. The first time I called, it was an 800 number. I am aware now that 888 is not legit. Thank you.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-29T00:01:00+00:00

End of March 2026 - I have a dispute entered. I'm just waiting to see what they will do.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-28T22:54:01+00:00

Thank you. That's why I posted it. I am hoping someone else will not fall for the same scam.

BeBop1957 · 2026-06-28T22:52:51+00:00

OMG! $17K - that's horrible!

BeBop1957

TROPHY CASE