Missed Connnection - United Airlines

scholt

Hello


I've read all of the FAQ but just wanted to check a Cpl of things before I proceed with a claim.
On Friday 24th I travelled Heathrow-Houston-Fort Myers (LHR-IAH-RSW) all with United.
The connection in IAH should have been 1 hr 15 minutes transiting from terminal E to C. However the flight from LHR was delayed by 30 minutes (I believe due to a broken toilet on the incoming service).
To be honest I don't think even if there had been a delay I would have made that connection. I had to clear immigration and re-check bags. By the time I had done this the flight had left 5 minutes prior (and I was still in terminal E).
United did look after me with a hotel, and food however the next flight wasn't until the next day so I was 19 hours late to my final destination (frustrating when you're only going for 3 days!)


So questions -
I have found this address on Uniteds website - United Airlines, Inc.
PO Box 66100
Chicago, IL 60666
United States, would that be the best one?

I have printed my original booking, and reprinted (delayed) boarding passes - anything else I need?

And on the template letter it requests a response within 14 days - I was thinking of amending that to 21 as it will be going overseas.

Finally if I am successful HOW is the compensation paid - cheque? and in which currency?

Many Thanks! Jetlagged scholt

Caz3121

2 threads to have a good read
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4445417
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5042802

that was a really crazy connection time to book given that you need to clear immigration and customs at your first point of entry into the USA. I doubt it was ever achievable even if your flight had been on time

Any further questions should be on the US airlines thread

Alan_Bowen

Unless you booked direct with the airline, I suspect they are going to argue the ticket did not meet the minimum connection time of 90 minutes, which would be pushing it in my view anyway. If this was booked as a single ticket by a travel agent, you might want to talk to them first

scholt

Alan_Bowen wrote: »

Unless you booked direct with the airline, I suspect they are going to argue the ticket did not meet the minimum connection time of 90 minutes, which would be pushing it in my view anyway. If this was booked as a single ticket by a travel agent, you might want to talk to them first

Booked directly with United

callum9999

Alan_Bowen wrote: »

Unless you booked direct with the airline, I suspect they are going to argue the ticket did not meet the minimum connection time of 90 minutes, which would be pushing it in my view anyway. If this was booked as a single ticket by a travel agent, you might want to talk to them first

It's hard to tell as it has a confusing number of exceptions, but I don't think the MCT is 90 minutes. From what I can gather, the OP's itinerary seems to meet MCT, and I wouldn't have thought United's system would sell it if it didn't.

Alan_Bowen

If UA sold you a ticket with only 75 minutes to transfer, it does seem to be their problem, I suspect because of flight time changes after booking the transfer time was reduced from the original, but either way, go for it

scholt

Thank you.
I'm going to post it this eve - nothing ventured & all that!

scholt

Well its United 1 scholt 0 at the moment.
Today I received a very polite letter stating:


that as my LHR-IAH flight was only delayed 31 minutes my request for compensation is respectfully declined.


that since my continuation travel delay occurred in the United States on a non community carrier EC261/2004 will not be applicable


that their legal department carefully reviews all requests for compensation


but as a tangible gesture of our regret for your delay and misconnect enclosed is an electronic travel certificate valid towards a discount on a future United Airlines flight.....

soooo

Point 1 - it is my understanding that it is the delay at the final destination that counts. (19 hours) and this is what I've read on the MSE documents too but can anyone signpost me in the direction of a reference for such.

Point 2 - if it's a through flight - booked as a whole, on the United website surely it did originate in the EU, again a reference would be very useful.

and they didn't enclose anything anyway

Caz3121

this has been discussed previously on one of the threads linked in post #2 (the regulations appear unclear so you will get nowhere without going to court and I do not believe any of the NWNFs will take on this type of delay)
following this someone posted on a similar case http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=66952264&postcount=374
It was at County Court level so does not set a precedence

scholt

Have got the Folkerts Judgement. Thanks

scholt

Caz3121 wrote: »

this has been discussed previously on one of the threads linked in post #2 (the regulations appear unclear so you will get nowhere without going to court and I do not believe any of the NWNFs will take on this type of delay)
following this someone posted on a similar case http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=66952264&postcount=374
It was at County Court level so does not set a precedence

Ah yes, that doesn't sound too hopeful then