[dexis]

I had a round trip ticket (United to Wash. DC, SAA to Johannesburg) and the reverse on the way back for a total of 4 legs. On the first leg, United had mechanical difficulties but by the time it would be corrected I would have arrived too late for my connection with the SAA flight. So United cancelled my ticket and re-booked me (Delta to NYC-JFK, SAA to Johannesburg). I was happy to have arrived in Johannesburg, albeit a day later and grateful that United rebooked my ticket. I assumed United would have guaranteed my return ticket but I assumed wrong as my return ticket no longer exist now. SAA told me because I didn't fly on my original SAA flight, they no longer have my return seat and but will upgrade my ticket at the normal upgrade price. I think this is totally unfair. United doesn't have a telephone number in South Africa. UA and SAA are both members of Star Alliance and I'm Silver with them and would be Gold after this 2nd leg but now even my mileage that I flew from JFK-JHB is not being counted! I paid a lot for my round trip ticket to Johannesburg but now I'm without a return ticket on January 4th so I'm now stuck in South Africa.