Daylight *******

On 6 September 2023, I had a flight from Denver to Newark airport, flight UA2192, which was scheduled to depart 2:05 pm. It got delayed by 40min, where I then realized with a 1hour layover it’s going to be tight (flight to JHB airport 8:55), I spoke with a lady at the desk and raised concern that I might miss my flight then. She said she would hold a spot for incase, on a flight the next day same departure time.

Halfway through boarding they informed that the flight was delayed by 2hours. Most passengers went to change connecting flights. I was booked then for a flight with Turkish Airlines at 12:10 am the next morning, not receiving a boarding pass. Only am itinerary page.

Time passed and I was trying to take a nap, set my alarm for 15min prier to start of boarding time. When time came close to begin boarding, I noticed that it’s to quiet and everybody still seemed relaxed. So the flight got delayed another hour. Which left me with 1:15min layover, which is still fine.

After boarding , they informed there’s slight problems and they are getting it fixed, after a while the plane shut down, there was no ac, passengers was getting upset and one even commented that UA will definitely get some emails about this. I felt…well, nothing always goes smooth.

When I checked the time, I realized that my 1:15min layover turned into a 20min layover. Knowing I need to change terminals, l went to ask the flight attendants if I could rush out as soon as we get to a stand still at the gate. They announced that passengers should please give me chance to get out quickly. Everyone was helpful and cheering me on. On passenger, knowing the airport pretty well, ran with me to make sure I don't miss the flight. On my arrival to terminal B there was no, 0 , personnel at any check in desk, no Turkish Airline icon on the self checkin boxes. I rushed to the security gate where they informed me I can not pass without a boarding pass and I only have an itinerary page.

Went back to terminal C to see if there is someone from United Airlines to assist me. After searching I found someone not very polite and even tried any effort, showed me away as it is not United Airline flight, which I understand. But how can United Airlines then issue me a flight and not be able to help further?

Anyway I rushed back to terminal B trying to find someone to help, nothing. Only personnel was cleaning staff and they could not help even if they wanted to.

So I missed the flight because of a delayed flight, first 3 hours delay was weather and then another 50min give or take mechanical delay.

I went to Terminal C again to find a lady that seemed able to assist with rebooking a flight. According to her, she could not Issue or rebook my flight as my missed flight was with Turkish Airlines, but it was UA that had the delayed flight and booked my ticket with Turkish Airline? Ok… So I was told to contact Turkish Airlines. I called and waited for an agent. Agent called Larry (Ext-433, Reservation Desk, ***) answered. I told him the situation where he said there’s a UA flight leaving 8:55 pm that night, same flight mentioned in the first paragraph, and there’s one seat left. Relieved I said yes please put me on that flight. He said ok that will cost me $1120 USD. What?? I explained to him I should not pay as this was totally out of my control that led to missing the flight. I should be booked another flight without needing to pay right? Not according to him. I spend the last bit of money to get home to my wife and kids in SA.

After arriving in SA I requested a refund which was denied pretty quick. I requested again and waiting a bit longer for feedback they told me that the agent that issued me the last flight should submit a refund request through their BSP link.

The agent recons that I cannot get a refund as I took the flight? I should not have paid for it in the first place.

I’m not letting this go till I get my refund. It’s unacceptable and daylight *******.