United Airlines: Customers tried to manipulate ticketing system

NEW YORK (KTRK) -- Some would-be travelers may have thought they got a great deal on a flight overnight, but United Airlines says, don't pack your bags just yet.

Some customers say they were able to get roundtrip fares to overseas destinations for less than $50, and they spread the word online and through social media. But they didn't actually get tickets, unless they had enough frequent flier miles to buy them, a United spokesperson says.

"Several customers yesterday attempted to manipulate United.com to knowingly purchase tickets without having the required award miles in their accounts," explained United spokesperson Rahsaan Johnson. "As is standard, the website allowed many of them to confirm a reservation, pending deposit of the required mileage. United.com properly displayed the required mileage levels. The customers were not ticketed, and we will not honor these reservations."

Last month, an error allowed some passengers to buy airfares for as low as $5 before the airline corrected the mistake. United honored those reservations.

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