[jimworcs]

I have held off posting on this one, as I have conflicting feelings. The penalties for a genuine mistake are ridiculously high...in part because the so called "dynamic pricing" used by airlines is ridiculous. However, United are right. They sent you a confirmation email with the details you had booked. It would take 10 minutes of your time to have read it. You didn't and then by the time you did notice, your options were very limited. That is your own responsibility.

Last week, I made exactly the same mistake as you with Monarch Airlines in the UK, booking a flight from London to Alicante. I booked it 7 days later than I wanted. I noticed the error on the confirmation email. I immediately called the airline, but their phone lines were closed. I therefore emailed them, describing the error, and then called the following morning. They made the adjustment and waived all fees, as it was clearly an error. I think if I had waited until the week before travel to tell them, the scenario would have been very different. (Of course, if it had been Ryanair, it may have been a different scenario too, thank god I avoid them at all costs!)

I think it is unreasonable in this case to expect a refund, and I think you misjudged the tone of your complaint in your original posting.