Baggage misrepresentation
 

I was booked on a United Flight on New Years day. My bags were to be free since I am a frequent flier and United credit card holder. I received an email that my flight was cancelled and that we were re-booked onto an Alaska Airlines flight. I called United about this since no one had asked us. After the interminable wait on hold, I spoke with a United agent and confirmed that they had in fact switched us to Alaska. I asked the agent if I would still get free baggage as we had 3 bags to check. I told her that I didn't want to switch out of a United Flight if the bags were going to cost me. The agent told me that we would not get free bags on Alaska but that United would reimburse me and I simply needed to keep the receipt and go onto the website and submit the reimbursement claim.

I shouldn't have been so stupid. After finally finding the right claim form - which is not easy - I submitted my request for reimbursement for $75. After a 3 week delay, United rejected the claim saying they don't reimburse for charges made on other airlines! What a joke. Absolutely misrepresented to me what would happen.

Has anybody had this problem and gotten a positive outcome?

I am just shocked that after your United flight cancelled they booked you on Alaska Airlines and didn't make you wait for a United flight the next day or so.