Description

I purchased a round trip flight from United Airlines for flights from PHX, AZ to Europe on August 8, 2025. United partners with Lufthansa to provide flights in Europe. I paid extra on United's web site for assigned seats for the entire trip. I reserved seats on the United flights, but could not assign seats for the Lufthansa flights. I contacted United Airlines chat (signed on to my United account, not results of a google search) to see if they could assist. The United chat representative (2 reps) both provided an incorrect contact phone number for United's partner Lufthansa Airlines. I called that number (800-845-3880) and was told the date of birth Lufthansa had on file for me was incorrect and that I would need to pay $400 to rebook the flights with Lufthansa and obtain assigned seating, or be denied boarding at flight time. I reluctantly provided a virtual credit card number to rebook the flight and obtain assigned seats. The e-mail confirmation I received from this booking agent was from Customer Service [email protected] and contained erroneous name and address (though correct e-mail and phone) associated with the virtual card number I had just provided . A quick google search indicated this company had scammed multiple United Airlines travelers out of thousands of dollars. Later in the chat with United Airlines the last rep admitted the 1st phone number provided was a typo, and provided the correct number (800-645-3880 - off by 1 digit). The agent at travocart.com indicated that if I didn't rebook that my flight would be cancelled and I would not receive a refund even though I had paid extra for a refundable flight. I disconnected the call, and moments later received a notice from United Airlines [email protected] that my flights I booked with United back in August were cancelled. I suspect United's reservation system has been hacked, or that their chat contractors are getting kickbacks from travocart.com to provide the incorrect number. I now need to rebook flights and it remains to be seen whether I receive a refund for the cancelled flights. Outrageous!!!