Claim Compensation from MileagePlus

Getting your thoughts and documents in order before you contact them can make all the difference. Don't give them an easy reason to say no.

• Gather Your Evidence: Get everything together. This means your 13-digit ticket number, flight numbers, dates, booking confirmation, and your MileagePlus account number. Have photos of damaged luggage or receipts for expenses you incurred (like a hotel or meals) ready to go.
• Know Your Timeline: Write down a simple, chronological story of what happened. For example: 'Flight UA123 on May 15 was delayed by 4 hours, causing me to miss my connection UA456. I was rebooked on a flight 8 hours later.'
• Be Specific About Your Request: Don't just say 'I want compensation.' State exactly what you want. For example: 'I am requesting 15,000 MileagePlus miles for the inconvenience' or 'I am requesting a refund of $150 for the hotel I had to book.'
• Reference Their Own Rules: If you can, find United's Contract of Carriage online. Citing their own policy back to them is a powerful move, especially regarding baggage liability or denied boarding.
• Stay Calm and Factual: Emotion is understandable, but a clear, fact-based complaint is harder to ignore. Stick to the what, when, and where.

In the United States, airline passenger rights are more limited than in Europe, but they do exist. Your eligibility for compensation depends entirely on the situation.

• Tarmac Delays: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has rules requiring airlines to provide food, water, and working lavatories for delays of 2 hours or more on the tarmac. They must also give passengers the option to deplane after 3 hours (for domestic flights).
• Involuntary Bumping (Denied Boarding): If you are bumped from an overbooked flight against your will, you are entitled to compensation. The amount depends on the length of the delay to your final destination and the price of your ticket, potentially up to 400% of your one-way fare.
• Lost or Damaged Baggage: For domestic flights, an airline's liability for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage is limited to $3,800 per passenger. You must file a claim with the airline.
• Flight Cancellations & Delays: This is the tricky one. Unlike the EU, U.S. airlines are not required to compensate passengers for delays or cancellations. However, you are entitled to a refund if the airline cancels your flight and you choose not to travel. For delays, compensation is a matter of airline policy and is often given as a 'goodwill' gesture in the form of miles or travel credits. Always ask.
• International Flights (EU/UK 261): If your flight departs from the EU or UK, or is on an EU/UK carrier arriving there, you may be covered by much stricter compensation laws for delays and cancellations.

Subject: Compensation Request: [Your Full Name] - MileagePlus #[Your Number] - Flight [Flight Number] on [Date]

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to request compensation for a significant service failure I experienced on my recent travel with United Airlines.

My name is [Your Full Name], and my MileagePlus number is [Your MileagePlus Number]. My booking reference was [Your Booking Reference], for flight [Flight Number] from [Origin] to [Destination] on [Date].

Here is a summary of the events:

• [Clearly and briefly describe what happened. Example: My flight was scheduled to depart at 2:00 PM but was delayed by 5 hours due to a mechanical issue, departing at 7:00 PM.]
• [Explain the direct consequence. Example: This delay caused me to miss my connecting flight, and I was not able to get to my final destination until the next morning, forcing me to pay for an unexpected hotel stay.]

This experience was incredibly frustrating and resulted in [mention the impact, e.g., a significant loss of time, additional expenses, missing an important event]. As a loyal MileagePlus member, I was very disappointed with the handling of this situation.

I have attached copies of my receipts for the [e.g., hotel, meals] totaling $[Amount].

Given the circumstances, I believe compensation is warranted. I am requesting [be specific: e.g., 20,000 MileagePlus miles to my account OR a travel credit of $250 OR a full refund of my expenses].

I look forward to your prompt response and a satisfactory resolution to this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name] [Your Phone Number]

If your initial request is denied or ignored, don't give up. You have several options to escalate the issue.

1. Ask for a Supervisor: If you're on the phone, politely but firmly ask to speak with a supervisor or a manager. Sometimes, a front-line agent doesn't have the authority to grant your request.
2. File a DOT Complaint: This is your most powerful tool. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) logs all complaints against airlines. Airlines are required to respond to these complaints. You can file one easily on the DOT's website. Often, just the act of filing a DOT complaint gets the airline's attention.
3. Initiate a Credit Card Chargeback: If your complaint is about a service you paid for but did not receive (e.g., you paid for Wi-Fi that didn't work, or your flight was cancelled and you weren't refunded), you can dispute the charge with your credit card company. Provide them with all your evidence.
4. Go Public on Social Media: A polite but public post on X (Twitter) or Facebook detailing your issue can sometimes get a faster response from their social media team. Tag @United in your post.
5. Consider Small Claims Court: For significant financial losses where the airline is clearly at fault and refusing to pay, small claims court is a final option. It's less formal than regular court, but be sure you have a well-documented case.

Tired of navigating United's automated phone menus only to be put on hold for an hour? Sound familiar? Dealing with airline bureaucracy to get the compensation you deserve is exhausting, and they count on you giving up. That's where Pine AI steps in. We handle the entire frustrating process for you. No more drafting the perfect email, no more waiting for a response, and definitely no more hold music. Just tell us what happened, and our AI-powered system takes over, managing the communication and negotiation on your behalf. With a 93% success rate in negotiations, we know how to cut through the corporate red tape to get results. Think of us as your personal advocate who never gets tired or frustrated. It's time to let technology handle the headache. No joke. Let Pine AI fight for the miles, credits, or refund you're owed while you get on with your life.

The information on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Pine AI is not a law firm.