Error on United Airlines Web site results in free fares
For a few travelers earlier Thursday, the United Airlines Web site suddenly became their best friend. That's because for a very brief period, just 15 minutes according a Forbes report, United.com was pricing a wide variety of tickets at just $0.
The problem, which reportedly was due to a programming error, started about 11:30 a.m. PT and continued long enough for dozens of people to successfully book the rock bottom fares according to Flyertalk forum. After United noticed the fire sale, it stopped all online booking for at least an hour.
Some users on the forum reported booking multiple tickets, including Washington, D.C. to Honolulu and San Francisco to Newark, N.J., for nothing. Indeed, CNET talked to one buyer who was able to book a round-trip transcontinental flight for $0, which came out to $7.50 after applicable taxes and fees. Though he has yet to hear from United on whether it will honor the ticket, he said that the airline has issued his ticket and his booking shows as confirmed.
