It’s been a series of dips and valleys for Mahesh in his battle with United, and the latest is another disappointment.

The latest rep agreed to refund Mahesh’s parents money for the unused part of the tickets from Singapore to Sri Lanka. Mahesh will have to send in the unused tickets. The rep could not say how much the refund would be, another department determines that amount. This only a portion of the amount owed to Mahesh’s parents

The rep said that in any event the tickets were expired and nothing could be done. Mahesh’s parents didn’t know this and were allowed to pass through two transfers without incident… Essentially, United’s ticketing system made two errors and one is being used to cover up the other.

Furthermore, the rep told Mahesh, “the regular price they charge for a ticket from Omaha to Singapore is $962.60 and that by charging my parents only $500 per person service fee, they have actually saved us some $462 per person!”

Yesterday we were contacted by a reporter from SmartMoney interested in Mahesh’s story. Perhaps more press coverage is on the way. — BEN POPKEN

Much Nothing About Ado [United Airlines takes advantage of helpless elderly couple, extorting nearly $3000]

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