A class action lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County against United Airlines earlier this month for allegedly breaching a refund policy in the airline's award program, according to court documents from the suit.
The lawsuit states that Stephen Simoni, the Class Representative, among many other members of the United MileagePlus award program, purchased flights using the award program miles, only to have those flights cancelled amid COVID-19 travel restrictions. Customers were reportedly told by email that redeposit fees for these cancellations would be waived; the loyalty program members were, however, charged substantial fees.
According to the complaint, many airlines offered travel waivers, free flight changes and free cancellations amidst the pandemic, with the possibility of travel often uncertain.
After booking a flight in January with United, Simoni allegedly received a confirmatory email from the airline, stating that "if you want to change, cancel, or rebook your award flight, we'll waive the redeposit fee."
Despite being able to re-sell the seat that Simoni would have occupied had he not canceled his flight, the airline charged the plaintiff a total of $125 in fees, the complaint alleges.
The lawsuit charges the airline with one count of breach of contract, and seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, plus interest, and attorney fees.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Katrina Carroll and Kyle Shamberg, of the firm of Carlson Lynch LLP, of Chicago.